September 8, 1999
Leonard and Joanna Henderson
403 West Hwy 82
Wallowa, OR 97885
Dr. (name and address with-held to protect him from SCF retribution)
Dear <doctor>,
As
you may recall, you met with Joanna and I at the <clinic> on the 26th of September regarding our son Philip Henderson.
We
expressed to you our belief that Philip’s diagnosis of “Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder” and “depression” made at the Eastern Oregon Adolescent
Multi-Treatment Center was incorrect.
We further questioned whether Philip might have inherited the condition
of Manic-Depression (or Bi-Polar Disorder) from his mother. At that time, you stated that the condition
was not hereditary and let the PTSD and depression “diagnoses” stand.
(Concerning your “key question”
regarding Philip looking at the floor while you were asking him questions, PART
OF PHILIP’S BEHAVIOR TRAINING AT EOAMTC WAS “NO LOOK”. Please confirm
this with Doug Smith at EOAMTC who developed the program).
We
have obtained from the National Alliance
for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), a clear description of Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder (COBPD) which perfectly
describes Philip Henderson’s symptoms from INFANCY to TODAY. (Cite: Facts About Childhood-Onset Bipolar
Disorder).
We
have been very concerned that the PTSD “diagnosis” inadequately describes
Philip’s symptoms, and ignores true mental illness as the cause.
We
are DESPERATELY CONCERNED that the additional “diagnosis” of “depression” and
that the medication Zoloft is perilously incorrect and presents a real
and present danger to Philip's success.
In short, specific terms: We are
dealing with a powder keg of MANIC, doused with the gasoline of “mood
uplifting” Zoloft, and there are sparks and matches everywhere to set it off.
We
have been maintaining Philip by being VERY CAREFUL not to set him off by
opposing him directly. We take great
pains to head off potential "issues” before the explosion point. But school cannot be so tactful. Simply put:
Philip needs to be functional in order to participate in school- and
life.
·
We
have come to view the SCF with great suspicion as an organization not to be
trusted, and we have learned to be VERY CAREFUL what we say and ESPECIALLY WHO
we say it to.
·
It
APPEARS to us that the SCF New-Age
Secular Humanists with an AGENDA care nothing whatsoever about Philip’s safety or
“good outcome”.
·
It
APPEARS the SCF has deliberately set us up to FAIL as parents to Philip, as
they have verbally FORBIDDEN us to take Philip off Zoloft and promised FEDERAL
PROSECUTION if we do.
Leonard and Joanna
Henderson Page 2
Philip came very close to EXPLODING at school YESTERDAY (September 7). He had sent some hateful, dangerous-sounding emails and he was called in for “conference”. He did not show up. Nor was he in the classroom he was supposed to be. The school called me and we finally found Philip in a Study Hall. After considerable questioning by Principal John Nesemann and I, Philip claimed he “forgot” where he was supposed to be. Philip’s behavior during this conversation was highly agitated and he stated indifference to the possible serous consequences for his actions.
Considering the present “axe” SCF is poising over our heads:
· Had this been improperly handled, it would have easily escalated into an unpleasant life-changing situation, both for Philip and us- his parents.
Philip was so disturbed that he spent the rest of the day in the school detention room. He refused to go to football practice.
Because football has been so tremendously beneficial for Philip’s continued “self-control” training, John Nesemann has been GRACIOUSLY bending the rules to allow Philip to participate. We urge you to talk with John Nesemann regarding Philip’s behavior. John is very supportive of Philip and he too, would like to see Philip succeed.
We, Leonard and
Joanna Henderson feel that we have been handed an impossible situation:
·
Philip is
displaying the symptoms of Mental Illness
·
He is
misdiagnosed and on medication that EXACERBATES his violent behavior
·
Philip DOES NOT
NEED a “mood uplift”. Giving him Zoloft
is like pouring gas on a fire.
·
SCF has
forbidden us to do anything about it
· If we do not act affirmatively to CORRECT THE PROBLEM, Philip’s future is at risk.
· SCF stands ready to take us to court for legal custody, put Philip in “foster care” (or institutionalize him), continue ABUSING HIM as they have this past year, and we believe- deliberately destroy his future.
We PLEAD with you to consider making a more adequate diagnosis of Philip’s condition than “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder”. Since you are Joanna’s primary Psychiatrist, you are already in possession of all the pertinent information and absolutely the most qualified.
Sincerely,
________________________________ _________________________________
J. Leonard Henderson M. Joanna Henderson
Business Phone: 541-886-7676
Home Phone: 541-886-6034