Vol. 6, No. 1 - Psychiatric Survivor Archives of Toronto

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commital to court. How can JudgeLocke (the Judge presiding at thisappeal) say, generally, the burden ofproof for involuntary commitallieswith the phsyician Le. (proof ofdangerousness), and then rule in thisspecific instance that such evidenceexists, when it doesn't?The "evidence" that the judgeconsiders is that Mr. A hears voicestelling him to perpetr>ate violencetoward others. Locke says that thefact Mr. A doesn't obey this voiceisn't the point. The fact Mr. A doesn'tobey this voice IS the point. Whohasn't thought "I am going to killyou", etc., and especially underconditions where others aredepriving you arbitrarily of yourhuman rights, as in involuntarycommital? Even if it were decidedthat having such "violent thoughts"were a crime (which is ridiculous),what evidence is there that Mr. Ahad such thoughts? The onlyevidence for such violent thoughts isself-admission, which should beinadmissible on the grounds of selfincrimination.(Canadian Charter11 c.)Not only has Mr. A committed nocrime then, the supposed cause ofthe future crime he is predicted tocommit (his "violent thoughts") hasnot been established, either as a4 Phoenix Risinglegitimate cause or as a realityexisting inside Mr. A.I can only hope that District CourtJudge Locke's ruling can beappealed to a higher court and, mostespecially, that Mr. A's legal right torefuse "treatment" (torture) whileincarcerated is being respected.Sincerely,James Armstrong,Thessalon, OntarioMillbrook Censors Phoen'xDear Don:Was returned to Millbrook onJanuary 24, 1986. It was good to seeyou at the Board hearing. Didn'tknow if you would get my messageor not. The copy of Phoenix Risingyou gave me was not allowed mehere. I spoke with Administrator whosaid it would get looked into. It waslater denied me on the grounds thatit had not been mailed fromPublisher to me - the institution rulehere being that all magazines mustcome direct from Publisher. My issueof August 1985 is in my possessionbut has been thoroughly censored. Ijust began a very interesting article inissue you last got me, when I wasseparated from my property en routeto here. I would greatly appreciatehaving a copy of the latest issue -mailed to me from Publisher ...Thanks Don. For now, take care.Eldon Hardy,Millbrook, OntarioDear Eldon:Good to hear from you but wish youweren't In that place. Of course I'll see toIt the magazine Is sent - the 'proper'way. It's an outrage that the authoritiesthere hassle you so much over getting acopy of Phoenix. Makes you wonderwhat they're afraid of. We can't print yourwhole letter because we haven't enoughspace, but thanks for bringing anotherexample of Institutional stupidity - notto say Injustice - to our attention.Keep on writing and I hope to see yousoon.Don Weltz&: everybody at PhoenixFriends needed - not drugs!To Whom It May Concern:As you may not have heard of OnOur Own ... It's a group of expsychiatricpatients trying to dosomething with themselves. But a lotof people are so heavily medicatedthey just aren't able to think. Whycan't we start to take a look at thataspect huh? I'm spe"aking fromexperience. I've just about had it withour Mental Health System, 'cause Ilost a sister I really truly loved to yourso called medication and a lot offriends, who committed suicide fromlosing their power of mind. Why ofcourse you don't give a damn all youcare is just the almighty dollar! Why?!Oh yes sometimes people need just afriend to be there to confide in. Notalways your so-called psychiatricdrugs. Have you got a heart or whatfor people, cause if you did you'dstart to help On Our Ownmoneywise.Sincerely,Nathanof On Our OwnP.S. What it boils down to is peoplehelping each other.Thank you, readersDear Editors:My thanks for the article in theWinter issue penned by Jean Skov,"Recovering from psychiatry: How Igot myself back. "Recounting her experiences isindeed an expression of her angerthat will benefit others.More personal accounts please.Yours truly,A. Fewster, R.N.Sarnia, Ontario
.-t.III'I'IIII .•'I' ,allt ,f""Dear Editors:What a joy to see that PhoenixRising is going to continue to rise ...The December '85 issue is chockfull of interesting pieces. CedarChristie's skfi!tches and drawings (inparticular the drawing on page 36),are excellent. They add enormouslyto the magazine's content. TheBookworm Turns is my favourit"feature, and the Mad News is afiliihelpful resource. I especially like thefact that the editorial collectiveresponds to letters in Write On. Keepit up! It's always annoying when aLetter to the Editor asks a questionthat doesn't get answered, or makesan angry statement that doesn't get arebuttal.Glad Tidings,Sheila Morrison,Toronto, OntarioDear Don:Thank you very much for yourwonderful letter, and for sending methe winter issue of Phoenix Risingwhich I read immediately withfascination and quite a few "oh mygods" and "holy fucks" .I haven't decided what I will do toheal myself and put into action myanger after my six week outpatientstint at UBC's "Day House". If ittakes the form of writing I'll send youa copy.Natasha LyndonDear Editors:I want to congratulate you on yourexcellent work ...When I read your December issueI was furious and I cried because Ihave been in a mental institution andI was put through hell.A kind word, a smile, a hug, andtrying to understand each other'spain would certainly be a first step;then together to find ways to copewith the everyday problems. Andguidance. Things that are not taughtin mental institutions.I want to give Mrs. Skov a big hug.She's a magnificent person and she'sa survivor. All the best to her ...May God Bless you!Yvonne Savoie,Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaTHEMADMARKETisanon-profit store operated by On Our Own,a self-help group of Ex-psychiatric inmates.o We offer items for sale at some of the cheapest prices in town!o Donations of used goods are welcome.-20% Discount for members -Clothes, furniture, books,of On OurOwn and similar appliances, etc.organizations.We pick up and deliver_1860 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario 690-9807 Open Tuesday - SaturdayPhoenix Rising 5
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