Letters to the Editor

 

Care not cuffs

I am shocked and appalled. When I found out that you put out an article about CIT and the issues people with mental illness have within their community and in the criminal justice system, I immediately looked up the article [“Care, not cuffs,” April 10, 2008]. I just could not get past the words “to prevent police abuse.” I had communication with Sue Abderholden of NAMI, someone I have worked with many times in the past, and she let me know that she would never use such words. I know Sue and I believe her 100%. That leaves your staff writer and you. I had to read the article 4 times to get past those words and finally realized that it was a good article. Well written and accurate. Why the abuse? Where did that come from? Are you purposefully trying to throw gas on a flame? I work hard to train many officers in how to better respond to mental health crisis and often find many people with the same focus. Articles like this are only meant to do harm to our profession. I’m wondering if you are just trying to join the likes of some other press writes and “blame the cops”. I’m sorry; I thought more of your organization.

Sgt. Steve Wickelgren, MA
Minneapolis Police Depart.
President MN CIT Officers Association; steven.wickelgren@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

 

Sensationalizing?

I was informed that the following article was in your publication Access Press and that your staff decided to edit the title of the article, I am not sure why you did this. Was it to sensationalize the issue, due to your opinion of the police or your lack of knowledge about the issue in the article? [Care, not cuffs; Advocating mental health awareness to prevent police abuse, by Sue Abderholden.]

I am frustrated with your representation of the police. As a retired police sergeant and a mental health professional working in this area of how to get the best services to persons struggling with mental illness, I and my colleagues are working hard to encourage the police and when this type of representation comes out it sets that effort back.
 
Police officers have a very difficult job balancing the needs and safety of the individual, the needs and safety of the community and their own personal needs and safety. Most officers work very hard to handle each person they come in contact with with dignity, respect and compassion, while controlling the crisis incident.
 
 I would hope that you could give the officers the dignity, respect and compassion they also deserve.

Michael R. Peterson, MA LAMFT, Executive Director, MN CIT Officer’s Association, 612-220-6038, executive.director@mncit.org

 

Consumer? How about ‘Participant'?

“Patient” has become a four-letter word! [“Don’t call me a ‘consumer’!” April 10, 2008] It is not a four-letter word just for persons with depression. I proudly disdain the word ever since I felt the disrespect and superiority that the medical profession and medical model has had for me. It is not that I have any affinity for the word “consumer” but it does sound and feel better then the word “patient”! I think we must identify ourselves as we choose.

I crushed my spinal cord and am paralyzed from the chest and arms down as a result of a car accident many years ago. As a result of that event I necessarily became dependent on the medical profession for permission to exist. A “patient” is what I was! Not because that is what I defined myself as, but because it is what I allowed others to define me as. With the word “patient” comes the concept of the term “be patient.” Over time and discussion with other cohorts, I became aware of another perspective that allowed me to identify myself differently. This new awareness helped identify “patient” as a four letter word for me and for many other people with various disabilities and illnesses because the word implies inaction, which is NOT what many persons with disabilities want to be. INACTIVE!

The word “patient” becomes a problem because “I” as a person want to “participate” in any health or medical decisions about me. Call me a “participant!”

Rick Cardenas, St. Paul

 

Or self-advocate?

I want to respond to LeRee Etter’s letter “Don’t call me a ‘consumer’!” [April 10, 2008]

I’ve been involved with self-advocacy from way back. I started with Advocating Change Together in St. Paul in 1989. Back then, we decided to call ourselves “consumers” because we were sick of being called “patients” and “clients.” These words boxed us in and made us feel like we were always the ones getting stuff done to us. We wanted to have more control. By calling ourselves “consumers,” we were in the driver’s seat. We were the ones controlling our services. Consumers get to decide what they want and don’t want. Patients and Clients don’t. We don’t use the word “consumer” anymore. We use the word “self-advocate.” People like this word better.

I’m surprised to hear the word again because I have not heard if for a long time. And, I’m sorry that it makes you feel bad being called a consumer. I can understand what you are saying. I think everyone should get to decide what they want to be called. If you don’t like the word consumer you are doing the right thing to speak out and make it known that you don’t like it.

As a person with developmental disabilities, I’m not sick, I’m not broken and I’m tired of people trying to fix me so that I will fit in better to society. Self-advocates say we are just fine the way we are and society needs to change, not us! For people with developmental disabilities the word “consumer” probably has a whole different meaning than for people with other kinds of disabilities.

This is what I know about the background on the word “consumer.”

Melvin Haagenson, Mpls

 

Depression - Wider audience

I just have to tell you that I love the article on depression (“Open letter to a friend with depression,” by Pete Feigal. March 10th, 2008). It’s one of the best I’ve seen. I’m a senior citizen; not handicapped, but retired. Yes, depression is hard.

I just happened to pick up the Access Press at one of the stores. This is a good article for everyone. Thanks.

Lorraine A. Prince, St. Paul
 

Click on quote to view
larger image

© All rights reserved to Access Press Ltd.
Last updated on May 12, 2008

Designed and maintained by Info Architect