Vol. 5, No. 4 - Psychiatric Survivor Archives of Toronto

theatre gave her a solid foundation
in a growing, learning
atmosphere - rewarding her
with self-esteem, self-confidence
and recognition. This, along
with a sense of humour became
part of her survival. If it worked
for her, it would work for
others.
The Puzzle Factory was created,
offering a unique rehabilitation
program in training and
employment for ex-psychiatric
patients. The Improv Comedy
Troupe became a therapeutic
tool to rekindle their self-esteem
and self-confidence.
Their first benefit at the Rivoli
was sold out and successful,
giving them the material and resources
to continue as well as
seek funding.
Plans for the near future
include a five-day-a-week program.
Mornings are for teaching
life skills. Afternoons would
encompass theatre, mime,
movement and voice. The
Puzzle Factory will perform for
the ex-psychiatric community as
well as for the general public.
For the ex-psychiatric community,
performances will foster
the feeling of being understood
and by example engender
feelings of confidence in their
own abilities and raise their
expectations for the future.
Public performances will promote
a greater awareness and
understanding of the challenges
faced by ex-psychiatries.
Anyone wishing to contribute,
participate, book or just
ask questions, call either Ellen or
Joan at 960-8927.
Get a mechanic!
Reviewing a Spring 1984
issue of The Alternative,
(Journal of the Psychiatric Alternatives),
I noticed an article
on a study made by Robert Hoffman,
a psychiatrist at the University
of California School of
Medicine in San Francisco.
The study, through medical,
neurological, and psychiatric
examinations, revealed that "41
percent of the patients had been
misdiagnosed in ways that could
make an important difference in
treatment ... that the initial
diagnoses had attributed to psychiatric
causes that were in fact
caused by the very medication
prescribed by the referring doctors."
Ifthis percentage of 'misdiagnoses'
was maintained by
10 Phoenix Rising
your car mechanic, he would
lose his customers, lose his
licence and be subject to fines. I
wonder as well if there has been
any follow up by Dr. Hoffman to
indicate whether or not this
situation of 60/40 has improved
any.
Just a thought!
'Typos' worth repeating
"Show me a schizophrenic ...
and I'll shoe you a unicorn!"
"What rights and freedos really
mean."
Two of a kind?
An elephant was drinking at a
dating bar one night, and after
several beers went to the men's
room. There was already one
man in there, and the man and
the elephant went about their
business.
After a few minutes, the elephant
turned to the man and
asked: "Can you really breathe
through that little thing?"
Mind control victims
still not compensated
Every once in a while there's a
story that crosses your desk just
one too many times. I'm referring
to the heart-breaking, mindbending
shameful story of the
Canadian mind control victims
and the CIA. (See "SecretT ests,"
PR April 1984. )
As a Canadian, Iam totally
embarrassed that our Government
has not stood behind its
citizens to force the United States
to make a fair settlement ... as a
child of one of the victims says:
"by letting the United States know
in no uncertain terms that it will
walk the last mile with its victimized
citizens."
The media, in this particular
case, should be commended for
doing its part. There have been
many 1V shows from both sides
of the border; in-depth articles in
several newspapers, many commentaries
in magazines and
periodicals. Withoutthis, I'm sure
itwould have been swept under
the rug a long time ago . You may
never have answered a letterwriting
appeal before, but I
sincerely urge you to help. These
people must be feeling pretty
lonely now, as it's been in court
five years. Even ifyou haven't
time to write, rip outthis page,
sign it and send itto either /both
ofthe following:
The Honourable Joe Clark,
Minister of External Affairs,
Ottawa, Canada
KIAOH8
Mr. George Schultz,
Secretary of State,
Department of State,
"c" Street NW,
Washington, D.C.
20520
As well, you could also write to
Amnesty International. Ifthey
can't do anything else, maybe
they can forward your letters.
Amnesty International,
294 Albert Street, Suite 204,
Ottawa, Ontario
KIP9Z9
Blocking shock
The Ontario Coalition to Stop
Electroshock recently held
several demonstrations at the
Clarke Institute here in Toronto
to protest the use of ECT
treatments.
From November 1 to 9,
hundreds of anti-shock leaflets
were handed out in front of the
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Clarke for two hours a day. On
November 11 (Remembrance
Day), the demonstration was
followed by a vigil and candlelight
Memorial Service to
commemorate "the tragic loss of
many of our sisters and brothers
who died, or will die, as a result
of electroshock and other psychiatric
treatments."
Media coverage was fairly
good - it helped carry the
Coalition's message to the public.
One more shovelful out of
the mountain.
More about this demonstration
and Memorial Service/
"Speakout" in our next issue.
igpa atinLa
SINEQUAN (Doxepin HCI) ­
Antidepressant
SINE QUA NON - Latin - Indispensable
In other words: a drug you just
can't do without.
Who are they trying to kid!