This is normally not a political blog- but the one thing i am outspoken on is Electroshock Therapy, or ECT. In a nutshell, it did a big number on me, and based on my experiences, and what i know now about it, i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Mary Maddock, of Mind Freedom International, has a petition to abolish electroshock. The petition is here. If this is something you believe in, please sign.
A piece I wrote earlier on ECT is here.
Showing posts with label forced ECT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forced ECT. Show all posts
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Have truer words ever been spoken?
The loneliness and sad ache is overwhelming tonight. i don't feel alive, yet again, I feel like I don't belong to my body, mind or soul. Urge to put my hand through the mirror to see if I can get into a parallel universe.
Then I found this quote. Have truer words ever been spoken?
Brilliant! And yes, this is what they do to you when you get it. It's been 6 years, six long years and I still cannot read!
I have tried for the last ten minutes to post this You Tube video. It's not working. Heroin by Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. The first song by Lou Reed I ever heard. One of the best guitars along with vintage Clapton and Duane Allman.
Then I found this quote. Have truer words ever been spoken?
They put the thing down your throat so you don't swallow your tongue, and they put electrodes on your head. That's what was recommended in Rockland County to discourage homosexual feelings. The effect is that you lose your memory and become a vegetable. You can't read a book because you get to page seventeen and have to go right back to page one again-Lou Reed
Brilliant! And yes, this is what they do to you when you get it. It's been 6 years, six long years and I still cannot read!
I have tried for the last ten minutes to post this You Tube video. It's not working. Heroin by Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. The first song by Lou Reed I ever heard. One of the best guitars along with vintage Clapton and Duane Allman.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
ECT Redux
I got a letter from someone who asked me my views on ECT, regarding my posts on Ray Sanford.
It's simple. If you are an adult, and you want it, fine. Have it. If you don't you shouldn't have it, nor should you be forced into it.
My thoughts on it were first posted here, and on this blog, here. The piece was originally written at the request of Philip Dawdy, who wanted a companion piece to this piece he wrote on ECT a few days before.
Again, like I said in the piece, if you want it, fine. If you don't - it shouldn't be forced on you. My own experience is simply this. i was semi if not totally catatonic, when I was admitted to a mental hospital. I don't want to name the hospital, but it is the same one where Godel died. I was brought in by work with an ultimatum- I had almost suicided the previous day, and I went into work the next day wearing pancake makeup and a turtleneck. I thought I was a good actress, but I was called down by HR shortly and told if I was not admitted "voluntarily" to the emergency room for valuation within the next 24 hours, I would be sacked.
I did not want to be sacked! So I went the next day with my mother to the emergency room, after dropping the cat at the kennel. And spent 30 days there, the entire time on suicide watch- one on one.
I was extremely suicidal, yes, that is true. The meds were being put it me at high does, and I was getting more and more suicidal, alternating between wanting to die, and catatonic episodes. 20 days into the hospitalization, the doctors decided that the only thing would make me better was ECT and they did a very good PR job explaining it to my parents and convincing them I needed this. I was too out of it to have an opinion. I remember calling my ex, and asking him what i should do.
I had 6 rounds of ECT. The first one had complications- I felt every muscle in my body for about 48 hours after the first treatment, but no problems with my memory. After the second treatment I had to get a PIC line put in because the nurse could not find a vein on the second try. I started loosing memory from the second treatment on. By the end of the sixth, I signed off on the procedure. I had a treatment on Christmas Eve morning and Boxing Day. My next scheduled procedure was supposed to be on Dec 30. The doctor, who was voted the best psychiatrist by NJ Magazine, a year later- was adamant I should not stop- and if I did, he would not be responsible if I suicided. I told him as someone who has read Philosophy- and Existentialism, it was my right if i want to die by my own hand, and he should respect that.
So there it is in a nutshell. Mindfreedom is behind Mr. Stanford, as I am, because no one should have this forced on them if they don't want it. But if you want it, it's your right. And I support you on that. Just keep in mind, for every positive experience I have heard on this procedure I have also heard a negative. And a 50/50 shot on any medical procedure, I don't want to take that risk.
It's simple. If you are an adult, and you want it, fine. Have it. If you don't you shouldn't have it, nor should you be forced into it.
My thoughts on it were first posted here, and on this blog, here. The piece was originally written at the request of Philip Dawdy, who wanted a companion piece to this piece he wrote on ECT a few days before.
Again, like I said in the piece, if you want it, fine. If you don't - it shouldn't be forced on you. My own experience is simply this. i was semi if not totally catatonic, when I was admitted to a mental hospital. I don't want to name the hospital, but it is the same one where Godel died. I was brought in by work with an ultimatum- I had almost suicided the previous day, and I went into work the next day wearing pancake makeup and a turtleneck. I thought I was a good actress, but I was called down by HR shortly and told if I was not admitted "voluntarily" to the emergency room for valuation within the next 24 hours, I would be sacked.
I did not want to be sacked! So I went the next day with my mother to the emergency room, after dropping the cat at the kennel. And spent 30 days there, the entire time on suicide watch- one on one.
I was extremely suicidal, yes, that is true. The meds were being put it me at high does, and I was getting more and more suicidal, alternating between wanting to die, and catatonic episodes. 20 days into the hospitalization, the doctors decided that the only thing would make me better was ECT and they did a very good PR job explaining it to my parents and convincing them I needed this. I was too out of it to have an opinion. I remember calling my ex, and asking him what i should do.
I had 6 rounds of ECT. The first one had complications- I felt every muscle in my body for about 48 hours after the first treatment, but no problems with my memory. After the second treatment I had to get a PIC line put in because the nurse could not find a vein on the second try. I started loosing memory from the second treatment on. By the end of the sixth, I signed off on the procedure. I had a treatment on Christmas Eve morning and Boxing Day. My next scheduled procedure was supposed to be on Dec 30. The doctor, who was voted the best psychiatrist by NJ Magazine, a year later- was adamant I should not stop- and if I did, he would not be responsible if I suicided. I told him as someone who has read Philosophy- and Existentialism, it was my right if i want to die by my own hand, and he should respect that.
So there it is in a nutshell. Mindfreedom is behind Mr. Stanford, as I am, because no one should have this forced on them if they don't want it. But if you want it, it's your right. And I support you on that. Just keep in mind, for every positive experience I have heard on this procedure I have also heard a negative. And a 50/50 shot on any medical procedure, I don't want to take that risk.
Monday, December 8, 2008
On Human Rights Day, Ray will be getting forced ECT
Ray's Next Scheduled Involuntary Outpatient Electroshock is:
10 December -- International Human Rights Day!
by David W. Oaks, Executive Director, MindFreedom International
This Wednesday, 10 December 2008, human rights activists all over the
world will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
10 December is the UN's official International Human Rights Day.
10 December is also the day that Ray Sandford is scheduled to receive
his 35th involuntary outpatient electroshock.
NEW ON WEB: Learn Ray's story -- Frequently Asked Questions About Ray
Sandford Campaign, click here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/sandford-faq
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Latest News on Ray Campaign
Unless action is taken swiftly, then this Wednesday morning, as he
has been for most mornings in the last few months, Ray will be
awakened early by staff in his room at the group residence Victory
House near Minneapolis.
Once more an escort will bring him against his will the 15 miles to
Mercy Hospital, where once more -- under court order -- doctors will
place electrodes on his head for another electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT), or electroshock, that can and has wiped out precious memories
and cognitive abilities from Ray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Good News About Ray Campaign:
Because of MindFreedom's campaign to support Ray Sandford:
* The Minnesota Governor's office reports receiving "hundreds" of
complaints. Thank you everyone!
* Three agencies are now working to replace Ray's non-responsive
court-appointed attorney with a new attorney.
* National media has finally interviewed Ray for an upcoming broadcast.
The Bad News: It is Not Enough! Speak Out Now!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** ACTION ** ACTION ** ACTION **
It is time to take the Ray Campaign up a notch, peacefully but strongly!
Let this become a top issue in the Governor's office.
Telephone Governor Pawlenty's office *NOW*:
Call any day, but especially call *before* Ray's scheduled
electroshock next Wednesday, 10 December 2008.
Call from anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Central Time weekdays.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHY WON'T GOVERNOR PAWLENTY REPLY? Find out! Ask!
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has completely stone-walled!
* His office refuses to issue any statement on the policy of forced
electroshock.
* He claims he can do nothing, that the courts are in charge, when he
could at least make sure Ray gets better legal representation for a
stay or appeal.
* His office operators have been instructed to immediately redirect
calls about Ray into a voice mail. No one we know of has ever heard
back. Some operators have hung up on callers.
* Meanwhile, the Governor is sponsoring a $200-a-head luxury hotel
conference about International Human Rights Day!
It is time to get creative!
* Ray will not give up!
* We will not give up!
* Don't you give up!
Please be peaceful, but be CREATIVELY MALADJUSTED in your next
phone calls to Governor Pawlenty's office.
First, get the name of the operator and write it down. Then start by
asking polite but firm questions about advocacy...
* about citizen input...
* about who to talk to about mental health policy...
* about the names and phone numbers of the Ombudsman office
* about mental health policy and the mental health division...
* about how poor people can have adequate legal representation...
And only then ask about why the Governor is refusing to speak out
about Involuntary Outpatient Electroshock (IOE)?
Insist on speaking to a live real person about this issue.
If you do not get a real person with a real reply, CALL BACK.
If an operator hangs up on you, call back and ask to speak to a
manager and complain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REMEMBER:
Telephone Governor Pawlenty's office *NOW*:
Call any day, but especially call *before* Ray's scheduled
electroshock next Wednesday, 10 December 2008.
Call from anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Central Time weekdays.
If you do receive any helpful information or leads, e-mail it to news-
at-mindfreedom.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Learn more about Ray on the all-new "Frequently Asked Questions"
page about the Ray Campaign.
Learn about:
* The back story about Ray.
* How MindFreedom filed an official torture complaint about the State
of Minnesota to the United Nations.
* And what else you can do to help.
Click on the Frequently Asked Questions page here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A clickable version of above Ray Alert 5 is on web here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/alert-5-sandford
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Get Around the Media Blackout! Forward this human rights alert to
all people who care about human rights, on and off the Internet!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Encourage Everyone to Join MindFreedom International During the Fall
2008 Support Drive
Build the people power it will take to stop the kind of torture that
Ray is experiencing!
For information about how you can join MindFreedom today, click here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
~~~~~~~~~~
MindFreedom International Office:
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284; Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
web site: http://www.mindfreedom.org
e-mail: office@mindfreedom.org
MFI member services phone: (541) 345-9106
MFI member services toll free: 1-877-MAD-PRIDe or 1-877-623-7743
new fax: (480) 287-8833
10 December -- International Human Rights Day!
by David W. Oaks, Executive Director, MindFreedom International
This Wednesday, 10 December 2008, human rights activists all over the
world will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
10 December is the UN's official International Human Rights Day.
10 December is also the day that Ray Sandford is scheduled to receive
his 35th involuntary outpatient electroshock.
NEW ON WEB: Learn Ray's story -- Frequently Asked Questions About Ray
Sandford Campaign, click here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/sandford-faq
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Latest News on Ray Campaign
Unless action is taken swiftly, then this Wednesday morning, as he
has been for most mornings in the last few months, Ray will be
awakened early by staff in his room at the group residence Victory
House near Minneapolis.
Once more an escort will bring him against his will the 15 miles to
Mercy Hospital, where once more -- under court order -- doctors will
place electrodes on his head for another electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT), or electroshock, that can and has wiped out precious memories
and cognitive abilities from Ray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Good News About Ray Campaign:
Because of MindFreedom's campaign to support Ray Sandford:
* The Minnesota Governor's office reports receiving "hundreds" of
complaints. Thank you everyone!
* Three agencies are now working to replace Ray's non-responsive
court-appointed attorney with a new attorney.
* National media has finally interviewed Ray for an upcoming broadcast.
The Bad News: It is Not Enough! Speak Out Now!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** ACTION ** ACTION ** ACTION **
It is time to take the Ray Campaign up a notch, peacefully but strongly!
Let this become a top issue in the Governor's office.
Telephone Governor Pawlenty's office *NOW*:
Call any day, but especially call *before* Ray's scheduled
electroshock next Wednesday, 10 December 2008.
Call from anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Central Time weekdays.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHY WON'T GOVERNOR PAWLENTY REPLY? Find out! Ask!
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has completely stone-walled!
* His office refuses to issue any statement on the policy of forced
electroshock.
* He claims he can do nothing, that the courts are in charge, when he
could at least make sure Ray gets better legal representation for a
stay or appeal.
* His office operators have been instructed to immediately redirect
calls about Ray into a voice mail. No one we know of has ever heard
back. Some operators have hung up on callers.
* Meanwhile, the Governor is sponsoring a $200-a-head luxury hotel
conference about International Human Rights Day!
It is time to get creative!
* Ray will not give up!
* We will not give up!
* Don't you give up!
Please be peaceful, but be CREATIVELY MALADJUSTED in your next
phone calls to Governor Pawlenty's office.
First, get the name of the operator and write it down. Then start by
asking polite but firm questions about advocacy...
* about citizen input...
* about who to talk to about mental health policy...
* about the names and phone numbers of the Ombudsman office
* about mental health policy and the mental health division...
* about how poor people can have adequate legal representation...
And only then ask about why the Governor is refusing to speak out
about Involuntary Outpatient Electroshock (IOE)?
Insist on speaking to a live real person about this issue.
If you do not get a real person with a real reply, CALL BACK.
If an operator hangs up on you, call back and ask to speak to a
manager and complain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REMEMBER:
Telephone Governor Pawlenty's office *NOW*:
Call any day, but especially call *before* Ray's scheduled
electroshock next Wednesday, 10 December 2008.
Call from anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Central Time weekdays.
If you do receive any helpful information or leads, e-mail it to news-
at-mindfreedom.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Learn more about Ray on the all-new "Frequently Asked Questions"
page about the Ray Campaign.
Learn about:
* The back story about Ray.
* How MindFreedom filed an official torture complaint about the State
of Minnesota to the United Nations.
* And what else you can do to help.
Click on the Frequently Asked Questions page here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A clickable version of above Ray Alert 5 is on web here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/alert-5-sandford
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Get Around the Media Blackout! Forward this human rights alert to
all people who care about human rights, on and off the Internet!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Encourage Everyone to Join MindFreedom International During the Fall
2008 Support Drive
Build the people power it will take to stop the kind of torture that
Ray is experiencing!
For information about how you can join MindFreedom today, click here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
~~~~~~~~~~
MindFreedom International Office:
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284; Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
web site: http://www.mindfreedom.org
e-mail: office@mindfreedom.org
MFI member services phone: (541) 345-9106
MFI member services toll free: 1-877-MAD-PRIDe or 1-877-623-7743
new fax: (480) 287-8833
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Ray Sandford needs a Thanksgiving Reprieve-Please Help
MindFreedom International - 24 November 2008
Ray Human Rights Alert #4: Please Forward
You Can Ask: Thanksgiving Reprieve?
MindFreedom Filing Complaint with UN Claiming "Torture" in Minnesota
The next forced outpatient electroshock of Ray Sandford is
scheduled for this Wednesday morning, 26 November 2008, the day
before the USA holiday of Thanksgiving.
Join an international campaign *NOW* to phone Minnesota Governor
Tim Pawlenty today and tomorrow, before the shock:
1) Ask the Governor to give Ray Sandford a reprieve from his next
forced electroshock.
2) Ask the Governor -- who claims to believe in limited government --
if he supports laws in Minnesota allowing this torture: the
involuntary administration of electroshock therapy (ECT) of people
living out in the community?
A MindFreedom investigation revealed that Ray Sandford, 54,
complained of being escorted every week for months from his supported
living home in Columbia Heights, Minnesota to Mercy Hospital for
another course of electroshock over his objection.
After the first MindFreedom News international alert, Ray's doctor
let him skip his forced shock this past Wednesday, 19 November.
This Wednesday morning, 26 November, Ray expects to be woken up early
once again to be escorted the 15 miles to what he is told will be his
34th involuntary outpatient electroshock under special Minnesota laws.
Meanwhile, MindFreedom is filing a official claim with the United
Nations calling Minnesota's abuse of Ray "torture," using a new
process and expanded definition by the UN.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
** ACTION ** ACTION ** ACTION **
Join in a MindFreedom international phone-in campaign!
Telephone Governor Pawlenty's office *NOW* -- and insist on talking
to a staff person.
Call any day, but especially call today and tomorrow, *before* Ray's
scheduled electroshock this Wednesday.
From anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Central Time weekdays.
NOTE: Staff is directing many of these calls into voice mail.
MindFreedom is not aware of anyone actually getting a response to
this voice mail.
DO NOT GIVE UP! Politely but FIRMLY insist on on talking to a staff
person.
If you get redirected to voice mail leave a message, but call back
until you get an answer from a live person.
If you do receive any helpful information, e-mail it to
news@mindfreedom.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ray Campaign News Updates:
MindFreedom Filing Complaint with United Nations Alleging
"Torture" by Minnesota
This past Friday, 21 November, disability advocates met with Ray at
the Minnesota Center for Independent Living. Ray told advoctates he
very much supports this campaign.
During the meeting a teleconference was held with MindFreedom
President Celia Brown in New York City and MindFreedom Director David
Oaks in Oregon. Celia interviewed Ray so that MindFreedom may file a
human rights complaint under a new process with a United Nations
Special Rappateur. Because of recent developments, some types of
severe psychiatric abuse may now be considered torture by the UN.
Involuntary outpatient electroshock (IOE) is part of a trend to bring
the power of forced psychiatric procedures out into the community,
from the back ward to your front porch.
Mind your freedom: Your home is no longer your castle... it can
become your ward.
Electroshock itself has made a comeback throughout the USA, and
internationally, without adequate human rights protection.
You may read some of the many public comments that have been e-mailed
to the Governor at tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/sandford-support-letters
For a full-sized photo of Ray click on his image here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray
Past alerts:
7 Nov: Alert #1 - How to e-mail the Governor:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray-sandford
12 Nov: Alert #2 - First phone-in to Governor:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/pawlenty-electroshock
16 Nov: Alert #3 - Ask Governor's Director of Communications Brian
McClung for answers:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/16-nov-08-update
REMEMBER RAY - TAKE ACTION NOW!
Don't let Ray get escorted without you saying "no" to torture out in
our communities.
It takes just a few moments. Please nonviolently "zap back" by asking
questions.
The campaign is being heard in the Governor's office. MindFreedom has
evidence that at least one frustrated operator has hung up on callers
about Ray.
Ray did not give up. So we won't give up!
From anywhere in the USA or the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free: (800) 657-3717.
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS
Please forward this public alert to supporters of human rights on and
off Internet with an encouragement to act *NOW*!
There's a reason MindFreedom International has broken the silence on
this issue:
Independent united activism.
To support MindFreedom and this campaign please join, renew early or
donate today, click here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
Once you join MindFreedom, current members can apply to get on the
MindFreedom electroshock campaign e-mail list called ZAPBACK where
the Ray campaign is coordinated internationally. Once you're an MFI
member sign up on ZAPBACK here:
http://www.intenex.net/lists/listinfo/mindfreedom-zapback
~~~~~~~~~~
MindFreedom International Office:
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284; Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
web site: http://www.mindfreedom.org
e-mail: office@mindfreedom.org
MFI member services phone: (541) 345-9106
MFI member services toll free: 1-877-MAD-PRIDe or 1-877-623-7743
new fax: (480) 287-8833
~~~~~~~~~~~~
MindFreedom International is a 100 percent independent nonprofit
united to win activist campaigns for human rights and alternatives in
mental health.
Join or renew early here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
Ray Human Rights Alert #4: Please Forward
You Can Ask: Thanksgiving Reprieve?
MindFreedom Filing Complaint with UN Claiming "Torture" in Minnesota
The next forced outpatient electroshock of Ray Sandford is
scheduled for this Wednesday morning, 26 November 2008, the day
before the USA holiday of Thanksgiving.
Join an international campaign *NOW* to phone Minnesota Governor
Tim Pawlenty today and tomorrow, before the shock:
1) Ask the Governor to give Ray Sandford a reprieve from his next
forced electroshock.
2) Ask the Governor -- who claims to believe in limited government --
if he supports laws in Minnesota allowing this torture: the
involuntary administration of electroshock therapy (ECT) of people
living out in the community?
A MindFreedom investigation revealed that Ray Sandford, 54,
complained of being escorted every week for months from his supported
living home in Columbia Heights, Minnesota to Mercy Hospital for
another course of electroshock over his objection.
After the first MindFreedom News international alert, Ray's doctor
let him skip his forced shock this past Wednesday, 19 November.
This Wednesday morning, 26 November, Ray expects to be woken up early
once again to be escorted the 15 miles to what he is told will be his
34th involuntary outpatient electroshock under special Minnesota laws.
Meanwhile, MindFreedom is filing a official claim with the United
Nations calling Minnesota's abuse of Ray "torture," using a new
process and expanded definition by the UN.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
** ACTION ** ACTION ** ACTION **
Join in a MindFreedom international phone-in campaign!
Telephone Governor Pawlenty's office *NOW* -- and insist on talking
to a staff person.
Call any day, but especially call today and tomorrow, *before* Ray's
scheduled electroshock this Wednesday.
From anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Central Time weekdays.
NOTE: Staff is directing many of these calls into voice mail.
MindFreedom is not aware of anyone actually getting a response to
this voice mail.
DO NOT GIVE UP! Politely but FIRMLY insist on on talking to a staff
person.
If you get redirected to voice mail leave a message, but call back
until you get an answer from a live person.
If you do receive any helpful information, e-mail it to
news@mindfreedom.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ray Campaign News Updates:
MindFreedom Filing Complaint with United Nations Alleging
"Torture" by Minnesota
This past Friday, 21 November, disability advocates met with Ray at
the Minnesota Center for Independent Living. Ray told advoctates he
very much supports this campaign.
During the meeting a teleconference was held with MindFreedom
President Celia Brown in New York City and MindFreedom Director David
Oaks in Oregon. Celia interviewed Ray so that MindFreedom may file a
human rights complaint under a new process with a United Nations
Special Rappateur. Because of recent developments, some types of
severe psychiatric abuse may now be considered torture by the UN.
Involuntary outpatient electroshock (IOE) is part of a trend to bring
the power of forced psychiatric procedures out into the community,
from the back ward to your front porch.
Mind your freedom: Your home is no longer your castle... it can
become your ward.
Electroshock itself has made a comeback throughout the USA, and
internationally, without adequate human rights protection.
You may read some of the many public comments that have been e-mailed
to the Governor at tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/sandford-support-letters
For a full-sized photo of Ray click on his image here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray
Past alerts:
7 Nov: Alert #1 - How to e-mail the Governor:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray-sandford
12 Nov: Alert #2 - First phone-in to Governor:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/pawlenty-electroshock
16 Nov: Alert #3 - Ask Governor's Director of Communications Brian
McClung for answers:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/16-nov-08-update
REMEMBER RAY - TAKE ACTION NOW!
Don't let Ray get escorted without you saying "no" to torture out in
our communities.
It takes just a few moments. Please nonviolently "zap back" by asking
questions.
The campaign is being heard in the Governor's office. MindFreedom has
evidence that at least one frustrated operator has hung up on callers
about Ray.
Ray did not give up. So we won't give up!
From anywhere in the USA or the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free: (800) 657-3717.
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS
Please forward this public alert to supporters of human rights on and
off Internet with an encouragement to act *NOW*!
There's a reason MindFreedom International has broken the silence on
this issue:
Independent united activism.
To support MindFreedom and this campaign please join, renew early or
donate today, click here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
Once you join MindFreedom, current members can apply to get on the
MindFreedom electroshock campaign e-mail list called ZAPBACK where
the Ray campaign is coordinated internationally. Once you're an MFI
member sign up on ZAPBACK here:
http://www.intenex.net/lists/listinfo/mindfreedom-zapback
~~~~~~~~~~
MindFreedom International Office:
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284; Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
web site: http://www.mindfreedom.org
e-mail: office@mindfreedom.org
MFI member services phone: (541) 345-9106
MFI member services toll free: 1-877-MAD-PRIDe or 1-877-623-7743
new fax: (480) 287-8833
~~~~~~~~~~~~
MindFreedom International is a 100 percent independent nonprofit
united to win activist campaigns for human rights and alternatives in
mental health.
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