How many times can the Minister of Health turn his head, pretending he just doesn’t see?

by Franke James

Canada Day, 2015 – In today’s Toronto Star, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care, Dr. Eric Hoskins said there is a need to be “open and honest and human about admitting when mistakes happen, and they do.”

I sure hope the Minister’s desire for truth-telling applies to us… Minister Hoskins and the Ontario government have been dragging their heels. They have not been in any hurry to admit what went wrong in my sister Teresa’s case.

In November 2013, Teresa was forced into an Ontario long-term care home against her will. To hold them accountable, we filed a formal complaint with the Ministry of Health in April 2014. The complaint detailed the dreadful treatment received by Teresa from the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) and her wrongful placement at the Rekai Centre, a Long-Term Care Home in Toronto, Ontario.

Heads should roll for what happened to Teresa, and the impact this has had on her — and on our lives when we stood up to protect her. It has been a nightmare. But the Ontario authorities have not owned up to their mistakes. They have not apologized for the harm caused. And there has been no effort to make restitution for the tens of thousands of dollars we have spent in legal fees to free Teresa from the Ontario “care” system and hold them accountable.

Please join me in channelling your inner Bob Dylan as we sing together…

How many times can the Minister of Health turn his head, pretending he just doesn’t see?

Yes, ’n’ how many oceans must Teresa cross, before the truth rises to the surface?

Yes, ’n’ how many heartbeats must Teresa have, before the Ontario government says they are sorry?

Almost fifteen months later, we are still waiting for their report and their apology for the harm they’ve caused. The “up-evil” has wreaked havoc in our lives and compelled us to move from Ontario to British Columbia, where the rights of developmentally disabled are more respected (see Inclusion BC’s video at end).

Yes, ’n’ how many miles must Teresa walk, before the Ontario government admits where they stumbled?

Yes, ’n’ how many times must Teresa shimmy and dance, before the Minister admits that putting her away in a nursing home was an abuse of power?

Yes, ’n’ how many more “Teresa’s” will it take till the Minister acknowledges
that too many people with Downs have been robbed of their freedom?

Yes, ’n’ how many ears must one Minister have… Before he can hear our cries?

Human Rights Should Be For Everybody.

Teresa’s petition on Change.org now has over 25,000 signatures — and yet the authorities are still not apologizing to Teresa — nobody is willing to admit what went wrong and how this abuse can be prevented in the future.

We need your help –> Please sign and share Teresa’s petition.

Teresa is living proof that she does NOT belong in a nursing home.

Dear Minister of Health, How Do You Measure One Year?

Franke James’ 2014 “Crisis, Capacity and Courage” Presentation to Ontario MPPs

Inclusion BC’s Video: “This is the Story of a Civil Rights Movement”

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