|
DisabilityNation|Ray Sandford Declares "Guarded Victory" for MindFreedom Ray Campaign Episode
Several months ago I posted news about Ray Sandford, a man from Minnesota who was undergoing forced electric shock treatments because of his mental illness. An organization called Mind Freedom" has been supporting Ray's efforts to end this involuntary treatment. This update comes via a press release issued by the organization late last week. The text of the release follows:
The bad news is that this morning, 15 April 2009, Ray Sandford of Minnesota had another involuntary, outpatient electroshock, also known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT.
The good news is today's forced electroshock could be Ray's last.
Ray Sandford called the MindFreedom office this afternoon to say that because of growing public pressure, Ray's main psychiatrist Dean K. Knudson plans to quit as Ray's psychiatrist. Dr. Knudson has been ordering the forced electroshocks.
If Ray is quickly assigned a new psychiatrist more sensitive to his human rights and need for humane alternatives, then Ray could be free of his ongoing forced electroshocks. Ray has had more than 40.
Dr. Knudson had scheduled Ray's next forced shock for 30 days from today. The court order allowing Ray's forced electroshock does not mandate the psychiatrist to prescribe it.
Ray said that his general guardian, Tonya Wilhelm of Lutheran Social Service, told Ray in a phone call today that she had talked to Dr. Knudson personally. According to her, Dr. Knudson's insurance company expressed concern to him about the enormous grassroots campaign that
MindFreedom is building to stop Ray's forced electroshocks.
RAY CAMPAIGN TO CONTINUE
"Tonya told me that because of all the controversy, Dr. Knudson's insurance company may force him to stop being my psychiatrist," said Ray. "Absolutely this is a guarded victory. I want to be sure to thank people for their diligence, and for everything they're doing to support me."
David W. Oaks, Director of MindFreedom International commented, "Today is USA Tax Day. If Ray's supporters keep it up, it looks like taxpayers may get a break, and not waste their money torturing Ray any more."
The Ray Campaign will continue, said Oaks. "We need to stay vigilant about Ray's rights, make sure Dr. Knudson quits, and help Ray find a better lead mental health professional pronto."
The Ray Campaign also raises a question: How many other Ray's are there?
Said Oaks, "It is proven beyond a doubt that there are others throughout the USA and internationally who are getting electroshock over their clearly expressed wishes. Every state and every nation needs a 'Ray Law' to stop this nightmare forever."
[ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:59:03 -0700 ]
|
