Minutes of hearings May-June 2000

Request to hold voluntary patient (5/10/2000)

At this point, Kathleen had allowed herself to be voluntarily admitted into Southpointe Hospital in St. Louis for depression. However, when he began insisting on ECT, she wanted to leave. She transferred her power of attorney to her son, Steve Vance, hoping that would give some additional weight in court.

Notification of hearing on petition for involuntary electroconvulsive therapy and petition for additional detention and treatment (5/12/2000)

Kathleen is notified that her doctor will be asking the court to give her involuntary ECT.

Petition for court-ordered electroconvulsive therapy (5/12/2000)

"There is a strong likelihood that electroconvulsive treatment will significantly improve/cure...without causing any serious functional harm."

Kathleen had received ECT twice in the past, and both she and her son Steve say it did not ever help her depression, and led to significant memory damage. Steve pleaded with the doctor to not do this to his mother again, because it hadn't worked! The doctor refused to speak to him and plowed ahead.

Petiton requests, part a

Steve says that his mother has NEVER been psychotic and had only attempted suicide (half hearted attempt) in the early 1970s. He is steadfast (as is Mrs. Garrett) that she was NOT suicidal. (Threats of suicide are commonly used as justification to hold someone against their will. Who ya gonna believe? A DOCTOR (or DO in this case).....or someone with a psychiatric label?!?!)

Petiton requests, part b

Order setting hearing (5/12/2000)

Judgment for involuntary electroconvulsive therapy (5/16/2000)

Court order allows a stay of execution, er ECT. Unsure of date. This crap is handwritten, and stuff scratched out. God love Missouri. (sarcasm intended)

Rehab goals and treatment plan (Notice it's signed by Ricky, MD? He's NOT an MD!!! Is this perjury at least?)

Memo announcing that private attorney will handle hearing (5/16/2000)

Memo announcing that court-appointed attorney withdraws (5/16/2000)

Steve says that he felt defeated and had nowhere to turn. The judge had ruled, and he had lost. He could appeal, but his mother didn't want to spend any more money on something that she felt would not go her way anyway. "I'll just submit," she said.

Notification of discharge (6/5/2000)

Kathleen is allowed to leave, but later, after calling the toll-free line (she thought it was simply someone to talk to and didn't realize the trouble she would have by picking up the phone), she is again admitted for more shock treatments against her will. Steve and his mother were distressed about it, but felt so defeated, and that Ricky Mofsen was going to do whatever he wanted, even though it was completely against her will. A chance meeting with an activist changed it all....and had that meeting not occurred, Kathleen Garrett would surely still be receiving shock treatment against her will!