The State of Florida has a provision in its "laws" that allow a person to be held against their will and given a psych exam without his or her consent. All it takes is a sworn statement that the person to be held poses a threat. This statement can be made by police, doctors, counselors, etc. If you are autistic and live in Florida, listen up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx_W7DKV3aI
This August, I was in a meeting and had a seizure, My C.A.R.D. counselor called an ambulance. When paramedics arrived, I initially refused to go with them. After much persuasion, I was finally talked into going. I told the paramedics I was claustrophobic, and showed them my medical alert tag and ID card. Both my autism and claustrophobia are listed. Needless to say, I attempted to exit the ambulance while it was traveling on the road. The paramedics did the smart thing and let me ride in the front. At the hospital, I was placed in the same area as the incoming psych patients were place, and I though I was going to the same place. Fortunately for me, the paramedics and hospital staff must have had some autism training because I was allowed to go home after a CT scan and blood work. However, if I had a different set of paramedics or was sent to the other hospital in the area, things might not have turned out so well. The lady in the video above has some good tips on how to beat the Baker Act should you find yourself in that situation.
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I am AUTISTIC - Always Unique, Totally Interesting, Straight Talking, Intelligently Conversational.
I am also the author of "Tech Tactics Money Saving Secrets" and "Tech Tactics Publishing and Production Secrets."
14 Sep 2008, 3:53 pm
