UPDATE NOVEMBER 6, 2023
I AM RECEIVING HUNDREDS OF WELL WISHES FOR ANDREW'S FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR YOU ONGOING SUPPORT, LOVE AND COMPASSION!
U R G E N T! I am CANCELLING the PLEASE SAVE ANDREW PROTEST slated at the Coles Building for November 7, 2023 at 12:30p.m.
My MLA, Susie Dillon planned to ask a question in Question Period tomorrow, and invited me to the gallery, but now I will not need to attend.
Many thanks to Peter Bevan-Baker for supporting my advocacy efforts.
I received a phone call from Minister of Health, Mark McLane at 4:45p.m., November 6, 2023. Hon. Mark McLane advised that he had SIGNED the MINISTERIAL ORDER for Andrew's medical transfer. I asked for a copy to be sent by e-mail and was advised that was not possible, but that an e-mail confirmation of our discussion would be sent.
Minister Mark McLane advised that his decision was made on Andrew's clinical assessment and not my advocacy. I truly believe that Islanders and Ontario residents made a difference, as they flooded the Minister's e-mail and phone messages. There were many media reports, newsletters and blogs both in Ontario and P.E.I.
Also there were 10996 residents of Ontario and P.E.I. who signed the PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.E.I. PETITION. Let's reach 11000! Here is the link: https://chng.it/TMKMZfHH2p
There were hundreds of people that sent photos of Andrew with date, time and location. They also sent information on Andrew's well being.
Hundreds and hundreds of Ontario residents provided Andrew with food, water, money and clothing. They recognized Andrew from the Facebook posts.
In addition, I have been doing daily Facebook posts containing information and photos in the morning and evening for many, many months. There was a member of my team using Twitter to update the latest news and concerns.
Also I worked with the Ministry of Health in Ontario. And they provided a letter outlining to me what steps I should take to move the Ministerial Order and medical transfer forward.
Many thanks to TEAM which is an Mental Health Reform group which began three years ago in Ontario. The participants are psychiatrists, lawyers, social workers, counsellors, police and parents with a vested interest in mental illness. One of these participants accompanied us to the Humber River Hospital and advocated for Andrew's admission. I also received ongoing guidance and support from this amazing group of people.
The Humber River Hospital Director of Mental Health and Addictions supported Andrew's medical transfer as well as Andrew's psychiatrist in Ontario and P.E.I.
I also believe that there were thousands of people praying for a MIRACLE for Andrew and it happened! There were countless people who appeared in my path and assisted with their gifts and talents. Also circumstances beyond my imagination opened many doors. GOD FOUND A WAY!
There have been literally thousands of Facebook people who were total strangers, that reached out to me and our family with kindness, encouragement and support. I remain in contact with many of my new Facebook friends. They are constantly asking me for updates.
I thank the countless Facebook Community Groups that I was permitted to join seeking assistance tracking Andrew. I have met some incredible people on Facebook. In particular, I had the most wonderful team of people working with me behind the scenes. They are too numerous to mention.
One special memory we will have, is a message I received from a couple in Ontario. They offered hospitality, lodging and meals, pickup at the airport, transportation to the Toronto Court House to file the Form 2, and also visits with Andrew while we were in Toronto. They had previously searched for Andrew and located him. They offered him food and clothing. In addition, they spoke with Andrew and contacted us. We hope that they will visit us next summer on P.E.I.
I also wish to thank Minister Mark McLane and his staff for their time and effort with ongoing meetings, negotiations and research. I believe there were many conversations regarding this rarely used involuntary patient inter-provincial Ministerial Order.
Andrew is presently at the Humber River Hospital. He has a very serious mental illness which began six years ago. Andrew is slowly responding to his medications. We anticipate there will be a medical transfer once Andrew is stabilized enough to travel.
We realize that our journey is beginning getting Andrew settled on P.E.I. and helping during his recovery.
Thankful for the Peer Support Group for people with loved ones suffering from mental illness. Lloyd and I have made new friends and are both learning how to cope and understand Andrew's mental illness.
I also attend an online Peer Support Group for Missing Persons. Maureen Trask is the facilitator and provided us with a wealth of knowledge, compassion and support.
Thanks to Kerry Mclane, PLEASE BRING ME HOME, non-profit organization volunteer investigator. It was Kerry who inspired me to launch the PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.E.I. PETITION.
MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE! LLOYD AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR KINDNESS AND SUPPORT. THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT JOURNEY. HOPING THAT WE SOON HAVE ANDREW BACK HOME. ANDREW WILL BE HOSPITALIZED UNDER THE CARE OF HIS P.E.I. PSYCHIATIRST. THANKS FOR YOUR LOVE AND COMPASSION. LLOYD AND MARLENE BRYENTON
MAMA BEAR WILL NEVER GIVE UP!
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November 6, 2023
Hi Marlene,
As per our conversation this afternoon, I have received the required clinical assessment and I want to confirm with you by email that I have signed the Ministerial Directive to begin the process of transferring your son back to PEI.
Health PEI will be facilitating this transfer.
Thank you,
Mark McLane
MLA for District 16 – Cornwall Meadowbank
Minister of Health & Wellness
(902)-628-7858
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I am hoping that Andrew's journey will inspire parents to keep up the fight for their loved one with mental illness. I hope that I have helped to raise an awareness about the broken mental health care system.
This fight was for Andrew and the many Andrews who need medical attention. This battle was also for the loved ones who suffer with anguish and grief, watching their loved one deteriorate with mental illness. It is for all those that have to handle the hardships of the trauma and chaos caused by a mental illness in the family.
I have endeavoured to lobby for the P.E.I. Missing Persons Act and also P.E.I. Community Treatment Orders. I have sent what is believed to be the cadillac example of a CTO from N.B. to the Province of P.E.I. for review. I wish to thank Dr. Richard O'Reilly, renowned psychiatrist from Ontario for his advice and input. Hoping that P.E.I. will copy and paste the CTO.
I believe the Community Treatment Orders for medication enforcement will help many suffering from mental illness. It is a proactive approach for the mentally ill keeping people out of hospital and well. I believe the CTO will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly in November 2023.
This song has helped me throughout the past months. It is titled GOD WILL MAKE A WAY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o
A Facebook friend sent me this beautiful song. It is titled, GOD IS IN THIS STORY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_zI1Iy5_EQ