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Lives of schizophrenics improved, however more needs to be done (Continued from page B2) "Even before he took an early retirement (from teach­ ing at Oakville Trafalgar High School), my father researched the subject to enable him to fight in this crusade," he said. "My father said you had to learn to live with schizophrenia. He knew because he had two brothers and a son with it." Although the lives of people with the illness has improved over the years, there still remains much to do, noted A1 Bimey, master of ceremonies and a member of the East York chapter. However, awareness of the problems involved with the illness has heightened, even touching the minds of politi­ cians. "In the provincial elec­ tion, both parties had in their platforms an item about the need to change the existing Mental Health Act to make it easier for people with seri­ ous mental illnesses to get treatment. That's a major step," he said. "Also, Mike Harris told us he was aware of what the sufferers and their families were going through because his friends in North Bay has a son with schizophrenia." Bimey went on to discuss the Bloor Street Viaduct, Toronto's "killer bridge" that is a favored one for those determined to end it all by leaping to their deaths. Over 300 people, many of them with schizophrenia, have ended their lives there, he said. Bimey is part of a committee formed to erect a barrier across the bridge which should be in place by December. While suicide is still a worrisome part of schizo­ phrenia, there has been progress in other areas. A former chief of psychiatry at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital outlined the changes in psychiatric care that took place during the 1970s. Dr. Erhard Busse said the "terribly ill" patients were formerly shipped off to Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital in Etobicoke or had to wait a year for treatment while the "worried but healthy" patients were seen by psychiatrists. Moreover, research that since has pin­ pointed schizophrenia as a biological disease of the brain, possibly caused by an excess of the chemical dopamine, was in its infancy at that time. But with the advent of medications to control symptoms, patients could once again become part of the community. It meant a restructuring of psychiatric services at OTMH. "A lot of the problems attributed to schizophrenia we no longer see because they weren't part of the dis­ ease," he said. "They were part of what we, as a society, Photo by Peter C. McCusker Dorothy Whittier of the Oakville chapter, Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, presents a plaque to Dorothy and Bill Jefferies. did to them -- the effects of institutionalization, of being told what to do every step of the way." Like layers of an onion, these effects have been slowly stripped away to reveal people with very dis­ tinct personalities. "The text book definition of schizophrenia no longer exists because it was based on institutionalization, not on freedom - of being loved and being close to others in the community," he said. Knowledge about the dis­ ease gained through meet­ ings of the Schizophrenia Society empowered rela­ tives to ask the right ques­ tions and so seek more appropriate help. Gradually, the doors of communication between the medical profes­ sion and caregivers opened and the hostile relationship that had existed before diminished, he added. Nothing but a warm and friendly relationship existed at the gathering, a fact Dorothy Jefferies alluded to when she lauded the efforts of the organization"s volun­ teers and staff. "Our dreams could never have come true without the people who are here today," she said, at the same time recognizing that she and her husband are no longer as active as they were. In a barely audible voice resulting from the Parkinson's Disease he has endured for years, her 83- year-old husband said that, although he would like to see more emphasis on find­ ing the cause of schizophrenia, he was encouraged by the inroads researchers were making. "I don't think there are as many people hallucinating in the streets now," he said. The Schizophrenia Society's Oakville Chapter hosted the luncheon. p te a A C * * * * * H alton Healthcare Services I Annual Meeting 1 El i 111 r T r r r E EflU W i 7:30 p.m. RattleSnake Point Golf Club 5407 Regional Road 25 Milton, Ontario Halton Healthcare Services Was formed through the August 1, 1998 amalgamation of Milton District Hospital & Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital T h e new by-laws for H alton H ealthcare Services will be brought forward for approval. By-laws and audited Financial Statem ents w ill be available at the m eetin g or by calling the H ospital A dm inistration offices at 3 3 8 -4 6 1 6 . | M I l f!, MUNN'S CHILD CARE CENTRE INC. 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION We would like to invite the community and all former clients to attend this great event! Date: Friday, June 11/99 Location: Dundas at 6th Line Time: Open House starts at 7 p.m. Call 257-0069 for details. Little Caesars Pizza 1 Large Pizza with any five fresh toppings of your choice 2441 Lakeshore Road West 511 Maple Grove Road at Bronte Rd. in Maple Grove in Bronte Village Mall Village 827-7778 842-1114 EATON'S Eoo coco 03a; 5 5 $ Save on selected shoes and athletic footwear for men, women and kids. 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