[MF-NYS-NEWS] woman says she is fighting Kendra's law

[David Oaks]

Hi MindFreedom NY State TALK list:

I have forwarded below info to PsychRights, MindFreedom, and a few  
sponsor groups...

If you want to volunteer on this read it carefully and let me know  
off list at oaks at mindfreedom.org.

At this point only share below with people you trust. We may put out  
a more public alert later.

~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPTED SUMMARY from MFI advisory

9 June 2008

     WOMAN SAYS SHE FACES "KENDRA'S LAW" HEARING SOON -- WANTS FREEDOM

MindFreedom office just got a phone call from a woman named ANN who  
says she is being court ordered to take psychiatric drugs on an  
outpatient basis under "Kendra's Law" in New York State. She says she  
has a hearing in the next month or two and wants to get off the  
psychiatric drugs.

Ann would like people to know about this, so I'm typing up what she  
said and forwarding it to a number of folks in or related to  
MindFreedom.

Of course, I'll be notifying sponsor group PsychRights via field  
organizer Dan Hazen because NY State is one of the places we are  
looking at for a combined MindFreedom/PsychRights effort on activism  
and advocacy. That will involve a lot of factors, including what Ann  
wants, so all this is very preliminary, but given timeline we need to  
move quickly.

For those new to that joint PsychRights/MindFreedom task force, see  
this news release:

http://www.mindfreedom.org/shield/psychrights/news-20080304

DISCLAIMER: I am just forwarding the information provided moments  
after receiving it, we have not had a chance to verify any of this  
information, this is all the info we know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday morning, 9 June 2008

INFO ON WOMAN IN NEW YORK WHO SAYS SHE IS TRYING TO STOP FORCED  
OUTPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC DRUGGING

by David W. Oaks, Director, MindFreedom International

Full name: Angela ("Ann") L.

Prefers to be called Ann.

Ann called us this morning because a friend told her about us.

Goal: Want to win case case about Kendra's Law. Hearing this month or  
next month.

Was locked up for seven years, but last six months out in a residence  
she is okay with.

More info:

Ann says this about why locked up for seven (7) years, until six  
months ago:

"I got out of another institution, and I was on Section 8 housing. I  
went home, and I knew there was a rat. I didn't know how to set a  
trap and didn't want someone else to set a trap. Had only been out of  
the institution for a month, and was shell shocked. I complained  
about rat to mental health worker, and they were concerned because I  
wasn't leaving apartment, hadn't been eating. I had trouble getting  
to store (about a mile and a half away), felt nervous about walking."

So she says she was locked up in Pilgrim for almost seven years, got  
out because holding job, now out about six months.

Now 50 years old.

"First time in system when 15. I didn't want to live at home, didn't  
want to into shelter. I have been been on and off psychiatric drugs a  
lot in the past 35 years."

Has been on neuroleptics (antipsychotics) both Haldol and atypical  
for about the last 7 years.

Currently getting monthly doses of an atypical neuroleptic, and dose  
is going up.

"Would love to get off 'em."

Mainly she wants to win the hearing.

She's okay if more than one person gives her a call.

My impression is that she's remarkably clear and focused for someone  
who has been through what she's been through. That said, she sounds  
very isolated and overwhelmed and traumatized for years, without a  
lot of resources or connections. But she definitely has kept her eye  
on the prize of freedom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[We have her contact info and contact info for attorney. Ann is open  
to hearing from more than one person. If interested contact me off  
list at oaks at mindfreedom.org. Please forward this only to people you  
trust.]

I'll post this to a few key people.

David

David W. Oaks, Executive Director
MindFreedom International
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA

web: http://www.mindfreedom.org
email: oaks at mindfreedom.org
office phone: (541) 345-9106
fax: (541) 345-3737
member services toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRID[e] or 1-877-623-7743

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MindFreedom International is an non-profit coalition with a vision of  
a non-violent revolution in mental health. Accredited by the United  
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"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.