UPDATE OCTOBER 29, 2023:
I am happy to announce that Peter Bevan-Baker has contacted me regarding Andrew's case. A meeting will be scheduled this week. Peter served as the leader of the Green Party of P.E.I. from 2012 - 2023. He is currently the member of the Legislative Assembly of P.E.I. representing New Haven - Rocky Point.
The Legislative Assembly is back in session on November 7, 2023.
GREAT NEWS:
The P.E.I. Minister of Health and Addictions, Mark McLane, has the following authority:
Mental Health Act
PART II — ADMISSION TO PSYCHIATRIC
FACILITIES
Section 23
Current to: November 28, 2019 Page 15
Transfer from another jurisdiction
(2) Where it appears to the Minister
(a) that there is in another jurisdiction an involuntary patient in a psychiatric facility and
Prince Edward Island is responsible for that patient’s hospitalization; or
(b) that it would be in the best interest of an involuntary patient in a psychiatric facility
in another jurisdiction to be hospitalized in Prince Edward Island,
the Minister may in writing authorize the transfer of the patient into Prince Edward Island for
admission into a psychiatric facility as an involuntary patient, and such writing is authority to
admit the patient as if a certificate had been issued under section 13. 1994, c.39, s.22;
2013,c.18,s.5.
This Ministerial Order is rarely used, but the provision is there, to protect people like Andrew. This provision has been used before on P.E.I. What is it going to take to have the P.E.I. Government support this life saving intervention? Do I have to picket or go on a hunger strike?
At this point, we do not know whether Hon. Mark McLane is working on a Ministerial Order for Andrew, to provide a medical transfer, from Toronto to Charlottetown. I believe that Andrew's case has extenuating circumstances and the transfer should be granted on compassionate grounds.
How can the Minister of Health, Mark McLane deny the Ministerial Order request? There are 10935 signatures on the PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.E.I. PETITION. These are caring and compassionate Ontario and P.E.I. residents.
Would you like to help lobby for Andrew's Ministerial Order for a medical transfer? WE CAN NOT LET THE BALL DROP AT THE FINISH LINE. Please send a letter to the following:
These people are the decision makers:
premier@gov.pe.ca Dennis King
mamclaneminister@gov.pe.ca P.E.I. Minister of Health and Addictions, Mark McLane
lthibeau@gov.pe.ca P.E.I. Deputy Minister of Health, Lise Thibeau
kdshaw@ihis.org Krista Shaw, Assistant Deputy Minister Mental Health and Addictions
jsalabarria@ihis.org Medical Director Mental Health and Addictions Dr. Javier Salabarria
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Do you believe in miracles? I often pray that God will place people and circumstance in my path. The most amazing thing happened!
Lloyd and I went to see ventriloquist, Michael Harrison. We sat at a table for four people. Two perfect strangers from out of province joined us. We struck up a conversation and told them about Andrew's heartbreaking mental illness story.
It turns out that the gentleman is an Advanced Care Paramedic General Manager. I explained that we hoped the Province of P.E.I would arrange and incur the cost of a repatriation to P.E.I.
The gentleman said he would be willing to arrange for two paramedics to transfer Andrew by vehicle at COST. This would be substantially less than a proposed private plane.
In addition to this, we have a friend in Toronto who is willing to use his truck to transport Andrew to the Island at a nominal charge, much cheaper than a rental.
What are the chances of this happening? I believe that God had his hand in this generous offer.
One day, I know Andrew will say, "THANK YOU MOM AND DAD FOR FIGHTING TO SAVE MY LIFE."
The clock is ticking at the Humber River Hospital in Toronto. They will DISCHARGE Andrew when he achieves baseline. We have no idea when that might be. Andrew was admitted October 10, 2023. He will be discharged on the streets of Toronto and given the addresses for shelters and walk-in clinic. He probably will not use either.
Andrew has been relocated from acute care to a locked general unit where he has a private room with shower. He also now has a hospital bed instead of a stretcher. Patients have their meals in a cafeteria style dining room. Andrew carries his meal back to his room. There is also a snack cart in the evening with sandwiches and juice.
Andrew is safely in a hospital that is warm, and has three beautiful meals per day. We have spoken to the doctors and nurses and are confident that Andrew is receiving the best of care. We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Humber River Hospital.
Patients are encouraged to use the lounge with television, but Andrew prefers to stay in his room. Andrew continues to constantly talk to himself, mostly about banking matters. Andrew was an assistant manager at a bank in Charlottetown. He aspired to be the bank manager and would have been, had his mental illness not hit him five years ago.
Through photographs, I am endeavouring to show that Andrew had hopes and dreams when he was younger.
We were told that Andrew wants to return to the streets of Toronto when he is discharged. This breaks our hearts! Clearly, Andrew is not capable of making wise decisions due to the symptom of anosognosia.
Andrew does not realize that he is seriously ill, in spite of the fact, he is in the Humber River Hospital, Toronto. We are currently substitute decision makers for medical treatment, until such time Andrew is capable of making these decisions himself. It was our decision to start medication. Andrew is receptive to this, and has been taking medication as requested.
Being homeless, is no life for our only son, Andrew! We know the medications are working, as he is becoming more sociable, but he has a long way to go! We hope and pray that Humber River Hospital keeps Andrew until such time I can arrange an inter-provincial transfer via a P.E.I. Ministerial Order.
Andrew was born and raised on P.E.I. He attended U.P.E.I. and achieved a BBA degree. Andrew is also bilingual. He had a career as an assistant bank manager. Andrew was married with two young children. He owned his own home in East Royalty. He was a deacon and youth leader at First Baptist Church. He was a kind and caring young man and was respected by the community. Then suddenly five years ago, Andrew developed a serious mental illness, which has stolen his life. He has lost everything!
The media has been following Andrew's story including several radio stations in Toronto, where I was interviewed. There was also a two-part story on Tor-Star. CBC Radio and Television interviewed me concerning the P.E.I. Missing Persons Act which I successfully lobbied for, and I also had the opportunity to speak about Andrew's situation. I am also lobbying for P.E.I. Community Treatment Orders. These would help Andrew and many others stay on their medications. In addition there was coverage by the Globe and Mail, Guardian, and Eastern Graphic newspapers.
A blog was written by Marvin Ross entitled, WHY ONTARIO'S MENTAL HEALTH ACT IS DEFICIENT - THE TALE OF A HOMELESS MAN (ANDREW BRYENTON) WHO SHOULDN'T BE HOMELESS. Here is the link: https://dawsonross.wordpress.com/ These blogs are sent to Ministers and politicians.
Please also read the blog written by Marvin Ross entitled, UPDATE ON ANDREW BRYENTON AND THE KAFKAESQUE ATTEMPT TO GET HIM MEDICAL HELP. I posted it recently.
The PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.EI. PETITION has 10949 signatures from caring and compassionate Ontario and P.E.I. residents. Here is the link: https://chng.it/TMKMZfHH2p It is fast and free.
I believe this song with all my heart. It is titled GOD WILL MAKE A WAY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o
I have dubbed myself as MAMA BEAR. Here is a song that speaks to that. It is titled YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY SON. Caleb + Kelsey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUsLT0hIOus
Here is a new video glimpse of Andrew. He was ill but not as sick as he is presently. Andrew lived with us for two years. Then we set him up in his own apartment. He left P.E.I. abruptly October 25, 2022.
The video is titled, WINTER RUNNING.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nay9Uaera34&t=624s Let's home Andrew is not running on the streets of Toronto this winter!
Please continue to pray that Andrew receives a medical transfer to P.E.I. and that we will have the strength and courage to carry on.
PERHAPS I CAN HELP ROLL A PERFECT GAME FOR ANDREW!
MAMA BEAR WILL NEVER GIVE UP!
Dennis King Mark McLane Peter Bevan-Baker