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Panel on life of R. D. Laing, dissident psychiatrist
An update by a friend of Ray Sandford as of Wed., 24 June 2009
A friend of Ray Sandford who has been helping his campaign to stop forced electroshock provides an update about Ray's situation. While he was again committed, that court ruling was not specifically about his forced electroshock. A lot of balls are in the air: Getting a new attorney for Ray. Ray has a new psychiatrist. Replacing the guardianship agency, Luthernan Social Service of Minnesota, that has been such an obstacle to Ray's journey toward freedom.
Date: June 24, 2009 4:37:31 PM PDT
Notes from a friend of Ray Sanford:
Ray is doing well these days, even though two weeks ago Judge Steven D. Wheeler of Ramsey County Mental Health Court committed Ray for another year.
The trial was hard to watch. Since Rays' attorney Duckstad was not objecting to the prosecutors' wittnesses' testimony, Ray courageously objected on a number of occasions. Judge Wheeler ignored Rays' attempts and the trial went down the tracks without the benefit of a vigorous defense.
Rays' new attorney, Ron Thorsett, planned a strategy meeting the following week and it was agreed that the first order of business was application for a new guardian. This will have the effect of eliminating ECT as treatment for Ray Sandford. The process requires two months of effort from new attorney; so realistically August would be the changing of the guardian. This is predicated on LSS not objecting to the new guardian and upon the courts approval.
The next step will be for Rays' new psychiartrist to start working with the level of magnitude Rays' present psychotropic drugs are contributing to his debilitating side effects. Ray called me today and stated that he is having adverse side effects from his medication. For the first time, Ray is now able to call his new psychiartrist and document his side effects hopefully establishing a strategy for relief.
Ray has become a vastly different person since the first time I met him some 8 months ago. He calls me at my office every morning to describe what his agenda is for the day and to make observations of events that have happened to him the previous day. These conversations are articulate and tailored purposely by Ray to the appropriate amount of time I have to offer him. Additionally, they express a joy of engaging in the world again, previously only there to restrain him.
If things go well with the new appointment for guardianship, Ray will simply serve out his one year commitment quietly. If on the other hand, LSS objects to Rays' appointment for guardianship; a very public battle will ensue requiring all of his supports to rally. Ray may again require rescue with the energy and creativity that Mindfreedoms' leaders and volunteers are capable of supplying... time will tell.
Last week, I got a good laugh out of Ray. I was invited to attend a meeting with Ray, his mother and the new attorney. We were discussing this very thing: about what would happen if things went bad.
So I quoted my favorite proverb on the subject of making plans. "How do you get a good laugh from God? Tell him your plans."
It was good to see Ray smile..
Best regards
friend of Ray Sandford
