ANDREW WALKS MANY MILES EVERY DAY.  WE ARE THANKFUL TO THE RESIDENTS OF ONTARIO THAT ARE PROVIDING HIS LOCATION TO US.  ANDREW HAS BEEN MISSING FOR NINE MONTHS!

 

 

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please sign this petition to help bring awareness and change to our broken mental health laws in Canada and to bring Andrew home! We know that there are countless families in Canada experiencing the same devastating journey who need your voice. 

 

 

Andrew, he is my son and WE NEED YOUR HELP!

It has been over 9 months since Andrew abruptly left P.E.I. and made his way to Ontario. Andrew has a serious mental illness. He is polite and not violent. Andrew is currently living on the streets of Toronto, he has lost significant weight, wanders, sleeps under trees at night and has become non verbal in interactions. 

The doctor told us that Andrew does not have the incite to understand that he is ill. He also told us that with medication, Andrew could regain 90% of his personality.

Andrew was an Assistant Bank Manager, husband, and father of two young beautiful children. He had a home on P.E.I. He has lost EVERYTHING to this terrible mental illness. He literally has the clothes on his back! He was a National Youth Bowling Champion and National Youth Baseball Pitcher. He was a Youth Leader and Deacon at his church.

We have filed three Form 2 applications. An Ontario Justice of the Peace approved one recently. Andrew was picked up by police and taken to hospital where he was detained for 72 hours and let go by the inpatient psychiatrist. He did not receive medication or a medical transfer back to P.E.I. to be hospitalized by his psychiatrist.

This puts us back to square one tracking Andrew again. We fear that winter is coming soon and that Andrew could be found frozen in a snowbank. He refuses to use a homeless shelter or food bank due to his paranoia.
I am trying to raise awareness about this terrible disease that literally destroys your life. Andrew became ill five years ago and has been deteriorating ever since. He was hospitalized and had medication but then he refused medication and would not see a doctor. I am lobbying Federal and Provincial Governments to enact bills that will be positive enhancements to the mental health system.

Presently I am working with MP Sean Casey. He is working on an Advanced Medical Directive. He hopes to move forward a Private Member's Bill through the Senate. If it becomes law he is proposing to call it ANDREW'S BILL. This will help families all across Canada. I ask you to write your Senator in support of this proposed bill.

In addition, I am working with MLA, Susie Dillon Charlottetown on the PEI MISSING PERSONS ACT and a COMMUNITY TREATMENT ORDER. The Missing Persons Act had first reading 2 years ago, It requires 2nd reading and Royal Assent to become law. I am moving that process forward.

The Community Treatment Order was worked on by a group of mental health professionals two years ago. It was shelved and I am trying to bring attention to it. This Order will also assist family members to help their loved ones. Other provinces have this Order.

The Ontario Missing Persons Act helped our family greatly. The police were able to ping Andrew's phone, review financial records, video footage etc. They were able to release his photo and rental car information at the time. We have had wonderful assistance from the various Ontario Police Departments. I especially want to thank Detective Jason Vine, Toronto Police Division 23 and the Hamilton Police Department.

I have been working extensively with Maureen Trask. Maureen's son, Daniel, went missing and unfortunately, was found deceased. Maureen is now a Missing Persons Advocate and facilitates a Peer Support Group online. She was instrumental in lobbying for the Ontario Missing Persons Act with MPP Catherine Fife.

I am also working with Kerry M.,  PLEASE BRING ME HOME ORGANIZATION.. She is a volunteer investigator and searched for Andrew several days in hopes of finding him. It is a wonderful organization and I encourage you to support it.  Kerry suggested that a petition might raise more public awareness and have an influence on decision makers.

It is very obvious that the Mental Health Act is not working. I am convinced that it needs to be overhauled. It is very difficult to help a loved one experiencing mental illness under the existing Act. I describe it best as hoops to hop and roadblocks at every turn.

The mentally ill person has all the rights and the families are left trying to pick up the pieces like we are. I have been publicly criticized by human rights people for trying to save our son's life.

PLEASE sign this petition to create change in Canada for patients and families of mentally ill persons.

NOTE:                                 COMMUNITY COUNTS

We realize that this petition is not a legal document, and will not be recognized by the court system.  We believe that the COMMUNITY is the heart and soul of every province in Canada.  Communities have stood up for many causes and impacted the final outcome. 

Residents of Ontario and Prince Edward Island have embraced Andrew's tragic mental illness story.  This petition will provide an opportunity for the community to lend its support to help bring Andrew home. 

Decision makers may be made more aware of this critical situation.  Andrew's story is not unique.  There are many Andrews on city streets.  There are also many families like the Bryenton family who are struggling to help their loved ones.  This petition will raise an awareness about the Mental Health Act that is definitely broken and not supporting the mentally ill and their loved ones.