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Post by Dean Robinson on May 11, 2008 2:40:14 GMT -5
Ontario: CAS seizes sick boy to give him chemo Canwest News Service www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=fafbbcb1-8464-4899-999b-6fc12c56b2fdPublished: Friday, May 09, 2008 Child welfare authorities yesterday seized an 11-year-old cancer-stricken boy from his parents to compel the child to take chemotherapy. He has an aggressive form of leukemia and has already had some chemotherapy, but his parents say the treatment was ineffective and made the boy suffer. So, as a family, they decided to stop. They had been told that if the boy survived chemo, he still faced an uphill battle and his chance for recovery was estimated at 40 to 50 per cent. The family arrived at McMaster Children's Hospital for what they thought was a routine appointment. That's when the Hamilton Children's Aid Society stepped in. A heated argument followed and hospital security guards were called. The father says he was manhandled, handcuffed and, along with his wife, evicted from the hospital. The father says the CAS did not have a court order. The boy was admitted to hospital. It is unclear if chemotherapy has started. Hospital spokesman Jeff Vallentin cited the Privacy Act and said he could not talk about the case.
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Post by Dean Robinson on May 11, 2008 2:49:28 GMT -5
Family gets visit with sick boy seized by Children's Aid SocietyCanwest News Service www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=5e93ea2c-0e58-45ac-a29a-a1fe64488a93Published: Friday, May 09, 2008 HAMILTON - An 11-year-old boy with cancer remained in hospital Friday, after being seized by authorities from his parents' care, and forced to undergo chemotherapy treatments. On Friday, the boy's parents told CHCH-TV they are being allowed to see their child, after a day of confusion and frustration. The parents say the boy, whose name is not being released, is in hospital against his wishes and has spent hours cut off from his family. Ontario MPP Peter Kormos CHCH NewsHe lives with me, I raise him, I take care of him, I love him. I need to know that he's OK," said a woman who identified herself as the child's stepmother. The boy has an aggressive form of leukemia, and has been through chemotherapy before. His parents say he suffered through it, and they decided as a family to stop the treatments. When they brought the boy to McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton for routine tests Thursday, the Children's Aid Society seized him. When the boy was taken away, his father was handcuffed and evicted from the hospital. A letter from the Children's Aid Society to the family says the father "threatened harm" to a society worker, and accused him of "traumatizing the child through the inappropriate expression of his concerns and beliefs." The father denies threatening anyone, but admits to getting emotional. Still, some believe the society acted far too harshly. "C.A.S. is inclined more often than not to work with a very heavy hand. And this sort of heavy-handedness is unfair to the boy, and it's unfair to his parents," said Peter Komos, a member of Ontario's provincial parliament.Denied access to their child, the parents spent the day trying to reach him and received a 10-minute phone call Thursday night. "He told us that he loved us and everything, but he told us that he's starting to bring up a lot now, and his spine is really, really starting to hurt him again because they've started the treatment." The father has had his share of heartache. Another son died only four days after birth, while the boy's mother died of a brain tumour eight years ago. The man told CHCH-TV all his family wants is to honour their son's wishes, and to give him a good quality of life. "He won't be poked and prodded, and poked and prodded, and have to live uncivilized like right now; live like a fugitive in the hospital with cancer. What type of life is that for a little boy to live?" © CHCH News 2008
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Post by moldessa on May 11, 2008 9:56:25 GMT -5
This is the perfect time to join together and show our support lets get to the hospital and protest for the childs right and the parents rights the media are all over this and i could not think of a more perfect time to get the word out , and to support this family in whats sure to be a very hard time for the child and family Monday morning sounds good to me your comments would be nice to hear lets go this is what we have been waiting for people are in shock that this has happend the media are involved and the parents need help and support
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Post by mconn on May 11, 2008 14:49:02 GMT -5
Correct me if I am wrong but was these people the same ones that burned a little girl last year in giving her chemotherary and the parents tried to remove her and CAS got involved and tried to send her back for more chemo and somehow the parents won and got her help in Toronto
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Post by sparton2000 on May 11, 2008 15:29:58 GMT -5
there is a flyer going out as I type this. We have to get everyone involved in this family's plight and the issue of accountability is paramount. this is my attempt at supporting this family and if anyone needs more information feel free to contact me at any time... Child Assist Services 19 John St. N. Ste 300 Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1 (905) 296 4366 (Ed or Mary) CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL FOR MOTHERS DAY, MAY 11, 2008 AT 7PM AT MCMASTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR ANOTHER PROTEST ON MAY 12 AT 8AM AT MCMASTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL "Child welfare authorities on Thursday seized an 11-year-old cancer-stricken boy from his parents to compel the child to take chemotherapy The family says they have native blood in their veins. That dad's ancestors were native. That stepmom is native. And that the boy is Metis. (Family court documents say, however, that the child is "found to be non-native" and "non-Indian.") They say their spiritual beliefs guided their decision. "There is only one person -- The Creator -- who decides who lives or dies," says dad. "It's not you or me or McMaster Hospital or the CAS -- it's The Creator." The father told CHCH News that the boy began to wail when the CAS appeared to tell him he would be forced to take treatments." For more information see link below: www.canada.com/ch/chchnews/story.html?id=f3ab154c-52f8-40b1-90d5-7863b05fe8e5The family were allowed to see their son Friday and through regular visiting hours throughout the weekend. And if things go well, that arrangement may be extended. But they are still planning to hold a candlelight vigil for him Sunday for Mother's Day. Child Assist Services 19 John St. N. Ste 300 Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1 (905) 296 4366 (Ed or Mary)
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Post by moldessa on May 12, 2008 5:53:47 GMT -5
Last night was a great success, more then 40 people turned out for the candle light vigil. Come on people lets get out there to day and show our support for this family as they struggle with the cas. We are hoping for another great turn out. This is the chance we have been waiting for, the media are involved, as a matter of fact they were crawling all over the place, people are hearing this story and people care, we need to show them that this is not an isolated case that it happens EVERYDAY. If there was ever a time to attend a protest this is the time!!!!!! Everyone has always asked when the media and society would become informed THIS IS IT Lets change things today lets show our support to a family who could use it GET UP GET OUT AND ATTEND!!!!!!!!! Lets have our day of justice that so many people are screaming for. Im truly hoping for the support of people here people every where SEE YOU THERE
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Post by moldessa on May 12, 2008 15:11:50 GMT -5
Thanks to child assist services and all in attendance we were able to negotiate access between mother and sick child. It was not until we brought out our trusty bullhorn and embassased mcmaster and the children's aid did they allow access to take place in exchange for us to stop using the bullhorn the exchange was made and family was able to visit the child. The turn out was great the media was all over the place again we will be on the news at 6 and again at 11 we have been mentioned in most news papers ( child assist services) is being recognized as a valuable service in the hamilton area. Tomorrow we will once again join together in the hopes that the child will be returned to his parents. We will be meeting up at the family court house in hamilton ( main and mc nabe) at 2 pm the media will also be there, we are expecting an even greater turn out tomorrow as we have gained a lot of support from the community as many people were just walking off the street to inquire about the child assist services, in turn we have gotten the word out made friends all for a good cause. Anyone wishing to attend tomorrow is welcome to join the child assist services at the family court house. We are all hoping tomorrow the child is returned to his parents but if not we are in this fore the long haul. There is much more to be done people and as you can see 3 people who join together with the same goal in mind ( to bring accountability in the system) can make a difference. WE MADE THAT DIFFRENCE TODAY A special thanks to the founders of the child assist services and to all those who came out and showed there support
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Post by moldessa on May 14, 2008 15:35:06 GMT -5
Who's on the front page of the Hamilton spec? Whats on the front page of the Hamilton spec? Yesterday outside the Hamilton family courthouse we made quit the impact, Vern Beck of Canada court watch tried to sneak in the court house but after he gained access the police asked for a copy of our flyer's and took them to the judge, On the flyer was a refrence to court watch a site to visit for info our way of involving court watch team even if they didint offer their support.Vern beck was immediately escorted out. quote from Hamilton spec( one man claiming to be a journalist, was ordered to leave by pazaratz, who said he didn't believe the man was really a journalist at all, but rather an anti CAS protester) even after being kicked out of the court house vern refused to pick up a sign and protest with us. Do you wonder why because i sure do at that point he was one of us but chose not to stand up and try and make a difference instead he pulled some of the crown ward who were standing in line with us aside to video tape about their problems.... This is the very man who on his own site ask for accountability in the system and when presented with the chance, he pushed his own agenda instead. After all was said and done he offered to take me for lunch ( LOL) We all have to wonder where the people who post are, media attention the message is getting out but the only ones in attendance is CHILD ASSIST SERVICES We have been stratigizing about our next course of action and we will be outside the family court house again Tuesday morning 9 am for all those who wish to attend your welcome to come. Maybe we can get vern to hold a sign this time...... However it would appear we have started something huge here and we will fallow through with it till the end. Sheila white said to day queens park is all a buzz about CHILD ASSIST SERVICES and the great work that has been done these last few days. This has been repeated by family of the child. Just for your info verns name for some very strange rason was extracted from my post ( i wonder why) I guess he may be a bit embarassed he didint stand up for accountability in the
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Post by mconn on May 14, 2008 20:59:19 GMT -5
I will try and make it there and bring a few friends with us.
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Post by Dean Robinson on May 14, 2008 22:26:04 GMT -5
you guys are doing a good thing there in Hamilton its good to see that you are bringing light to people that only believe the propaganda that the CAS spin doctors spew out
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Post by Dean Robinson on May 14, 2008 22:32:04 GMT -5
MP Peter Kormos contact info « Thread Started on May 12, 2008, 11:47am »
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Post by moldessa on May 14, 2008 22:39:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the support, We put your site on our flyers maybe we will see you there tuesday....lets be heard!!!!!!!
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Post by Dean Robinson on May 15, 2008 9:34:44 GMT -5
It is more abusive to force chemotherapy on boy May 14, 2008 Amy Soule The Hamilton Spectator Hamilton (May 14, 2008) www.thespec.com/article/368600Re: 'Forced chemotherapy for boy with leukemia' (Column, May 10) Something about this story makes me want to cringe. This boy has been through chemo once, his health severely deteriorated during and after the sessions (since the drugs basically kill any immune system you have left) and he doesn't want to go through it again. His father and stepmother have agreed with him, even though the Children's Aid Society and some top doctors believe avoiding chemo is tantamount to child abuse. The boy seems to have given a very logical argument as to why he doesn't want to be subjected to chemo anymore, despite his learning issues. Why is it so hard to admit that even people who learn differently can be perceptive and smart about their personal needs and desires? According to the doctors, additional chemo may give him a 50 per cent chance of a second remission. However, they seem unwilling to concede that chemo has a 100 per cent chance of destroying his quality of life, no matter how much time he has left. I'm sorry, but that seems to be the greater abuse of the child rather than letting him live his final days as he seems fit.
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Post by Justice on May 15, 2008 10:01:38 GMT -5
For those of you that have ganged up on Vern SHAME. I can assure you he is doing more than most to force change and the reaction of the staff at the courthouse should have been your first clue. He has allot of projects on the go and I'm sure this day had something else going on. We are all on the same page, ALL, EVERYONE. This means we are going to have smart, dumb, normal all working together let’s not target each other. If you do people might say you work for the CAS. Trust me Vern is doing what he can and it might not be there it takes place. He has a spoken in some high level places. I’m glad he has gotten under their skin. For some time now they have acted like people protesting are invisible. Were Not!!!!
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Post by Dean Robinson on May 17, 2008 10:20:29 GMT -5
For those of you that have ganged up on Vern SHAME. I can assure you he is doing more than most to force change and the reaction of the staff at the courthouse should have been your first clue. He has allot of projects on the go and I'm sure this day had something else going on. We are all on the same page, ALL, EVERYONE. This means we are going to have smart, dumb, normal all working together let’s not target each other. If you do people might say you work for the CAS. Trust me Vern is doing what he can and it might not be there it takes place. He has a spoken in some high level places. I’m glad he has gotten under their skin. For some time now they have acted like people protesting are invisible. Were Not!!!! This is about what we see and what believe Mr justice. this is not about Vern, This is about one family and one young man! At this point lets forget about everyones agendas and speak for this family, Because its one family at time we need to speak for..... Given that heres a great comment There are a couple of issues here for me. The first is how do we treat those with special needs. It is often hard for parents of special needs children to find the resources they need to care for their children, things like respite care, for example. Did the authorities offer support and care for the family in the days of this young man's life. Did they make it easier for the family to care for their son at home? Because if they didn't, it seems a little late to start now. the other is that we are a society that finds any notion of death difficult. We are so far removed from it that we still believe that it must be fought and delayed at all costs instead of seeing it as a normal part of living. The child and his father in the midst of this terrible time, seem to have a healthier attitude about this stage of life than the officials. What the family needs now is our empathy, support and love, not shakles. My thoughts and prayers go with them.
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