UPDATE FEBRUARY 17, 2024:
There is a story about Andrew in the Toronto Globe and Mail today, written by reporter, Marcus Gee. It is titled, A P.E.I. "mama bear" isn't done fighting. This is a follow-up to his story last summer and talks about Andrew's mental illness journey and the restrictive P.E.I. Community Treatment Order. It also discussed the need for a CTO amendment in the 2024 spring session.
There are thousands of people that have been following Andrew's story in P.E.I., Ontario and other parts of Canada. The people in Ontario have a vested interest in Andrew as he would not have survived on the streets of Toronto without their kindness, generosity, and support.
THE THEME TODAY IS PLANTS AND FLOWERS.
Do you believe that you BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED? I have always made the best out of the opportunities I have been given regardless of the circumstances.
We unfortunately, have a son who has a serious mental illness. I believe God gave me the gift of advocacy, so I am using this talent.
LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS A BED OF ROSES. These days are difficult and we have many challenges, as many people do. We worry that our son will cease medications upon discharge from the hospital. This is common as anosognosia is a symptom of mental illness where the person does not realize they are not well and often make poor decisions.
I am NOT LEADING YOU DOWN THE GARDEN PATH with false information, when I tell you that Community Treatment Orders save lives by ensuring the mentally ill stay on their medications.
I decided to NIP THE CTO DIFFICULTIES IN THE BUD by lobbying the PC Party with daily Facebook posts. Thankfully two CTO experts came to my rescue namely Dr. Richard O’Reilly and Dr. John Gray. They wrote a document titled Evolution and Comparisons where they deemed the P.E.I. CTO the most restrictive in Canada, as few Islanders will qualify. However, the New Brunswick CTO model is flexible, permitting more people to qualify. P.E.I. deserves and needs the N.B. CTO model.
I am asking the PC Party to not LET GRASS GROW ROUND THEIR FEET by delaying a proposed CTO amendment in the 2024 spring session. Hon. Mark Mclane suggested that an amendment could be made after 24 months. The mentally ill would receive the SHORT END OF THE STICK putting their lives in danger.
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS. Even after long periods of adversity good things can happen! WILL THE PC PARTY DO THE RIGHT THING?
A community treatment order ensures that a mentally ill person stays on their medication and provides them with a healthy life in the community. P.E.I. now has a CTO, but it is so restrictive that Andrew and many others will not qualify.
I received this post from Cheryl Wertman. "I’m a retired nurse who used to work downtown TO with street involved folks. I’ve seen many Andrew’s and feel CTOs should be much more readily accessible when persons are unable to care for themselves and are at risk of imminent health and danger."
I am not a great lover of country music, but I feel this song speaks to my GOAL of doing what is right. It is titled, You've Got to Stand for Something by Aaron Tippin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHIw6vs4z0w
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The present CTO is like giving a battery operated truck to a child without the battery. And saying, "The truck is good enough for now, I will give you the battery to operate it after "24" months." The P.E.I. CTO is as useless as this!
In my opinion, I do not believe that the PC Party Ministers and MLAs realized the negative impact the restrictive CTO would have on Islanders, like Andrew and others. I believe in my heart they will amend the CTO in the 2024 Spring Session, because it is the RIGHT THING TO DO!
DO YOU THINK THE PC PARTY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING?
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Please contact Hon. Mark McLane and your MLA.
HON. MARK MCLANE CONTACT METHODS:
e-mail: mamclaneminister@gov.pe.ca
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Thousands of people from Ontario and P.E.I. were praying that Andrew would be brought safely back home. God answered our prayers and a MIRACLE happened. I have posted the following song daily, God Will Make a Way. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o
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WE HAVE ACHIEVED 1967 SIGNATURES AND CLIMBING! IT IS URGENT THAT YOU KEEP SIGNING! WE NEED TO OVERWHELM THE P.E.I. GOVERNMENT WITH YOUR SIGNATURES.
URGENT: DO YOU THINK WE CAN ACHIEVE 2000 SIGNATURES BY FEBRUARY 27, 2024? I NEED 5 SIGNATURES PER DAY.
Here is the petition link: https://chng.it/MF2H48rszv PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND INSERT YOUR NAME, AND REASON FOR SIGNING IN THE BLOCK. SIGNING IS FAST AND FREE.
ANYONE IN CANADA MAY SIGN THE PETITION! PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE!
MAMA BEAR WILL NEVER GIVE UP!