Dear Editor
What previous governments have done to the mentally ill is a travesty to the care and well being of this minority group. Not so long ago anyone considered maybe a little different or didn't fit the norm of society ended up in a mental institution for life. They were in a place where their wishes and rights were taken away. People were given shock treatment without anesthesia.
Realize this was administered to someone who had committed no crime. From my own personnel prospective I had close to 50 shock treatment (in Regina). I no longer remember any of my family's birthdays. I've seen nursing staff abuse some patients, the very same people you'd expect to protect you or controlling patients with the reward of a cigarette.
Patients have been shackled or tied to bed posts and put in straightjackets because they are a danger to themselves or others.
The government needs to act now, to compensate them. Who speaks for people who had the opportunity to get back into the work force but couldn't because they were over-medicated?
I hope with this letter, I can be that voice in the wilderness that may open the door, so others will follow. We may not see compensation in my lifetime, but maybe in our children's lifetime.
Dianne Shea
North Battleford
