I Have A Dream Too

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

CIVIL RIGHTS CHAMPION

CREATIVELY MALADJUSTED

I have a dream  that people labeled with a psychiatric diagnosis enjoy the same basic Human Rights that people who do not take for granted.  I have a dream that Informed Consent for psychiatric treatment and just as importantly, the right to refuse psychiatric treatment will be recognized as a fundamental Human Right that no one can be deprived of.  I have a dream that psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners who commit crimes against the people they stigmatize with psychiatric labels will be prosecuted for the crimes they commit.

I have a dream that Officers of the Law, Judges, Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys stop being co-conspirators who aid and abet crimes that violate the Individual Rights of people with psychiatric labels to Substantive and Procedural Due Process of Law by ignoring the Rules of Evidence, failing to serve Proper Notice and/or file Proof of Service with the Court, and by ignoring Standard Court Procedures.  I have a dream that attorneys will provide Effective Assistance of Counsel to people brought before the Court to have a psychiatric diagnosis legally adjudicated. I have a dream that a vigorous defense is mounted for every person faced with the prospect of being court ordered to forced psychiatric treatment; that attorneys defend clients as if their client's life is at stake; it is.

I have a dream that one day children taught the history of psychiatry will have difficulty believing that teratogenic drugs, ECT, and psychosurgery were "treatments" forced upon people under color of law "for their own good." I have a dream there will no longer be any inhumane psychiatric treatment.

I have a dream that this terrible history will serve as a warning:

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

George Santayana

 I have a dream that one day my son's health will be restored. 

I have a dream that people the world over dream with me.

First published 1-17-2011