MindFreedom News – 15 April 2009
Nonviolent Revolution in Mental Health
http://www.mindfreedom.org/ray – please forward
Ray Sandford Declares “Guarded Victory” for MindFreedom Ray Campaign
Because of Public Pressure, Ray’s Psychiatrist May Quit Case
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.
Maybe.
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 Ray’s
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 USA state and every nation
needs a ‘Ray Law’ to stop this nightmare forever.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ACTION ACTION ACTION
*** PLEASE SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF THE RAY CAMPAIGN’S “GUARDED VICTORY”!
Forward this alert to appropriate places on and off Internet!
*** LEARN ABOUT THE RAY CAMPAIGN!
For background including Ray Frequently Asked Questions, Ray’s Web of
Links, YouTube video of Ray and his mom, National Public Radio
coverage, how to participate in campaign, and more, see:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/ray
*** UNITY WORKS!
MindFreedom International unites to take action for a nonviolent
revolution in the mental health system.
moon soup 