UPDATE FEBRUARY 23, 2024
THE THEME TODAY IS LIFE.
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH image is shocking! Our family has experienced what can happen when medications for a mental illness are not taken. Andrew slowly deteriorated and ended up on the streets of Toronto homeless. We knew if we did not get Andrew home this winter that he would die on the streets.
The Progressive Conservative government recently legislated the most restrictive Community Treatment Order in Canada! There are many mentally ill Islanders that will not qualify for the CTO and this will put their lives in jeopardy.
Andrew is in the hospital and progressing slowly. We fear that Andrew will come off his meds upon discharge, like he did the last time. This could cost him his life. The Progressive Conservative government MUST legislate a CTO amendment making the present CTO more flexible to qualify.
Our family is grateful to the Minister of Health, Mark McLane, who helped save our son’s LIFE by authorizing a medical transfer home to P.E.I. But the job is not complete! We need the CTO amendment to ensure Andrew and others stay on their medications.
Did you know that THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE? They include friendships, HEALTH, and the love of family as they don’t cost anything. But what would you do if your loved one became mentally ill?
Andrew was at THE PRIME OF LIFE when he was hit with a mental illness. He has lost everything! Mental illness can happen to ALL WALKS OF LIFE. Andrew had a DOG’S LIFE on the streets of Toronto being hungry and cold. I held on FOR DEAR LIFE hoping and praying that he would survive on the streets. NOT ON YOUR LIFE, did I ever think about giving up hope. I was determined to save his LIFE!
It is a fact, that medications can give a mentally ill person A NEW LEASE ON LIFE! I have witnessed our son improve slowly since he entered the hospital. However, ceasing medication is common upon discharge from hospital due to the symptom of anosognosia which prevents them from understanding that they are ill.
The mentally ill will literally RISK LIFE AND LIMB with no medication. Keeping our son, and many other Islanders on their medications is a MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH!
FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I do not understand why the Progressive Conservative government chose a restrictive CTO over the flexible New Brunswick CTO model. I have asked for a reason with no response.
I am trying to BREATHE LIFE INTO the legislated CTO by lobbying for an amendment in the 2024 spring session. There are 2027 signatures on the PLEASE SIGN ANDREW’S COMMUNITY TREATMENT ORDER AMENDMENT PETITION! This should help convince the Progressive Conservative government to do the right thing!
It is my hope that the Progressive Conservative government will GO THE EXTRA MILE and amend the CTO. Otherwise, the mentally ill will be TAKING THEIR LIFE IN THEIR HANDS with no medications!
Do you think the Progressive Conservative government will do the right thing and introduce a CTO amendment before it is too late?
Here is the link for the PLEASE SIGN ANDREW'S COMMUNITY TREATMENT ORDER AMENDMENT PETITION: https://chng.it/MF2H48rszv
We exceeded the goal of 2000 signatures on P.E.I. ISLANDER DAY February 19, 2024. We are now at 2032 signatures.
Please continue to sign the petition, as we want to show the P.E.I. government your overwhelming support for the Community Treatment Order amendment. THANK YOU! PLEASE HELP! It is fast and free. Anyone in Canada may sign.