Monday, April 24, 2006

Susan Lindauer: Hearing for Commitment and Forced Medication Scheduled

by JB Fields

Over the last couple of days, we (Susan has a friend Karen who has stepped in with lots of money to keep the house going) have heard from Susan and her uncle Ted and have gained some clarity on what this hearing is and what the situation is. We now understand it to be a hearing to consider Susan's involuntary commitment and forced medication. Her uncle is proposing an outpatient alternative -- or so she thinks. I've not talked to her uncle about this, specifically, but have spoken to him on other matters and see every indication that he is a good person.

Now, it is entirely serendipitous for me that I move an empty box in my hall, to take it to recycling, and find behind it a packet of documents that Susan left, "In case I don't return." She meant "from Carswell," I suspect. In this packet, I find neatly stapled, each of the letters in sequence. But, I do not see them first. What I see first is her medical records all signed by a Doctor Kennedy, and a document commenting on her state at each weekly counseling session. These do a good job of arguing against psychosis, addressing the point and finding in the negative.