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Wed 22 February 2012

Maryanne Godboldo honoured after winning fight for daughter

 

Rapturous applause greets a heroic African mother after she wins her struggle against the US government over the custody and wellbeing of her 13 year old daughter.

Maryanne Godboldo received an award from the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International for her courage and success in regaining custody of her daughter Ariana after she was placed in a state psychiatric hospital.

Her case came to international prominence when in April 2011 she became the subject of a ten-hour stand-off with a police SWAT team and Child Protective Services. Maryanne was jailed for several days after refusing government orders to forcibly give her child the anti-psychotic drug Risperdal.

Side effects of the drug is commonly known to cause “constipation; coughing; diarrhea; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; heartburn; increased dream activity; increased length of sleep; nausea; sore throat; stuffy or runny nose; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight gain; absence of menstrual periods; breast growth in males; tiredness; increased appetite; sexual problems in both men and women”

The even more serious effects include Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) which often does not go away after usage of the drug stops. Symptoms include uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs.


Maryanne Godboldo speaks at Dec. 3 rally (Source: Voice of Detroit)



Medication caused dangerous side effects


Maryanne, 56 decided to wean her daughter of the medication after determining it was responsible for causing severe side effects making her unwell. When she told this to officials she was chastised for her decision and Child Protective Services called in.

When they approached her house with police seeking to seize her daughter she was accused of firing a gun at the officers and as a result confronted with a squadron of armed officers brandishing automatic weapons.

She was arrested for refusing to allow police to take Ariana and holding officers at bay outside her home. Nonetheless she researched her option and with the full support of her lawyer, Maryanne Godboldo, community and human rights based organisations she managed to get criminal charges dropped and the custody case involving her daughter closed.


Friends console Maryanne Godboldo during vigil outside Hawthorn Psychiatric Hospital (Source: Voice of Detroit)

 

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Maryanne, 56 decided to wean her daughter of the medication after determining it was responsible for causing severe side effects making her unwell. When she told this to officials she was chastised for her decision and Child Protective Services called in.