The Parker Chronicles January 1969 Subjected to a right temporal lobectomy in order to alleviate epileptic convulsions. Patient was asleep during the operation and parents were only told that the doctors would attempt to remove a blood clot which they thought was causing the seizures. 1969-1971 Adverse effects of surgery consisted of increase and variation in seizure activity, psychological trauma of ramifications, left Parker bouncing from the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, to Warrendale Treatment Centre where he was able to continue his education. January 15, 1972 Parker is admitted to Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital as a result of a severe assault which left him status epilepticus (whereas an epileptic suffers chronic seizures). Doctors decide that it would be best to conduct a second right temporal lobectomy. Again, parents are only informed that doctors will attempt to remove a second blood clot. In the meantime, Dr. Harold Hoffman wants Terry awake during the operation, something the parents are not informed of. At sixteen years of age, Terry is inquisitive pertaining to such surgery, and asks Dr. Hoffman if photographs would be taken during the operation. Dr. Hoffman stated that there would be and that if Terry were awake and co-operative, he would as well receive copies of the photographs. Two days prior to his surgery, January 25, 1972, Dr. Hoffman requests that Terry sign a blue consent form allowing Dr. Hoffman to use the photographs for teaching and educational purposes. Parker signs, and on January 27, 1972, he enters the operating room for a second right temporal lobectomy, while awake. He recalls the pre-op, of having his hair shaved off his head set in clamps, and the never-ending nightmare of his life, of listening to his skull tear apart during the incision. During the operation, Parker was requested to perform verbal repetitions, answer questions, and keep his eyes open for a photographer requesting to take a photo of Terry awake during the operation as well. Terry noticed that the photos of the operative field were taken by a second photographer who knelt down under the table, by seeing the flash go off several times in the comer of his vision. After the surgery, Terry was not in any better condition than he was before, experiencing Grand-mal, peti-mal, psycho-motor, myelonic, Jacksonian and fall seizures over a period of time. After a great deal of nagging Dr. Hoffman's office for a period of six months Parker was told by Dr. Hoffman's secretary to come down and pick up the photography as promised by Dr. Hoffman. When parker opened the brown envelope in front of Dr. Hoffman's secretary, he was surprised to find only one photograph. When he inquired about the other photographs, he was told they did not turn out. Just the same, he was grateful to receive something as a memento of what he went through. Terry left the office under the impression that the photograph was that of his surgery January 27, 1972. In the years that followed, Terry suffered various types of seizures, some to almost to the point of death. For example, in 1975 Terry suffered a seizure that turned his entire body blue due to lack of oxygen. In 1974, Terry was expelled by the Etobicoke Board of Education for the officials would not tolerate his seizures disturbing the other students. Betrayed by the system, Parker searched for the key to his epilepsy. Yoga, relaxation and breathing exercises, biofeedback, various anti-convulsant drugs and diet did not prove effective. One Christmas, Terry came across a former attendant of Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital to hear of his dilemma. He invited Terry over to a friend's place, and that is when he discovered marijuana. At first, Terry could really appreciate the high effect to assist him in loosening up. If he were to drink, this would only precipitate seizures, the last thing he needed. Eventually, Terry not only discovered marijuana as an alternative to alcohol, but had a very good anti-convulsant effect for controlling seizures. Being denied education and employment opportunities, Terry fell into acting as a courier for dealers in hope to raise funds to continue college. His plans did not work out. In the end, he received no money and was beaten while he was having a seizure. In another attempt, he was arrested for the possession of weed oil for the purpose of trafficking. Marlys Edward, who represented Terry in court, explained to the judge how marijuana was effective for controlling her client's seizures. Parker received an absolute discharge, and Marlys Edward suggested that Terry obtain a medical exemption to use marijuana legally for epilepsy. Between 1977 and 1979, Marlys planned to organize an experiment, funded by Ontario Legal Aid, and carry out the necessary protocol in order to obtain exemption for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Unfortunately, Marlys had good intentions with Terry, but all along Doctors Peter Carlen and Eugene le Blanc pulled the wool over Ms. Edward's eyes as to what drug would be administered during the experiment. By this, Marlys was under the impression that T.H.C-Delta 9 was more or less a marijuana pill, consisting of all marijuana properties. In fact, tetra-hydrocannabinol delta 9 is only one of several psycho-active properties in cannabis. Prior to the experiment, Terry had to undergo a neurological assessment by Dr. Warren Blume of the University of Western Ontario, located near London. During this assessment in 1978, Parker brought his photograph to the attention of Dr. Blume. Parker explained the photograph was of his right temporal lobectomy in 1972, conducted by Dr. Hoffman. To Parker's astonishment, Dr. Blume stated that he was very familiar with brain surgical photography and that this photograph did not resemble a right temporal lobectomy. Also at that time, Dr. Blume suggested that a third right temporal lobectomy along with a left frontal lobotomy might be helpful in controlling his seizures. Parker preferred a natural remedy, knowing of his past consequences with brain surgery. After the neurological assessment, Parker took great interest as to why the photograph he received from Dr. Hoffman was not of his own surgery. In order to confirm that this photograph was not of his own surgery, he took it to Dr. Wherett, head of neurology at the Toronto General Hospital. Again, Dr. Wherett stated that the photograph did not resemble a right temporal lobectomy, but possibly a frontal lobotomy. Parker, at this point, is concerned. Why would Dr. Hoffman give Terry a copy of someone else's brain surgery? To investigate this matter further, Terry went off the Sick Children's Hospital and inquired at the Photography Records Department. There he met a Mr. Bill Bryson, who was manager for the Visual Education Records Library Department. Terry explained he was interested in whether this photograph would be on records with possibly other photography as well. Mr. Bryson found the photograph interesting and allowed Terry to search the files to find out whether or not this photograph was on record. Mr. Bryson explained that it was hospital policy to record all surgical photographs taken at Sick Children's Hospital. When Terry checked the records for January 1969, nothing was on record for himself or any other patient. When he checked the record for January 1972, again, nothing on record. Terry, at this point, was very confused, since there was no record of himself or any other brain surgical photograph between 1969 and 1974. As for Mr. Bill Bryson, he was just as confused as Terry. The next day, Terry approached Dr. Kenneth Rowe, assistant director for Sick Children's Hospital. Dr. Rowe explained that Sick Children's Hospital maintained an elaborate Visual Education Library Department and that only members of the faculty of the University of Toronto was allowed access to photography records, which were maintained for teaching and educational purposes. Terry asked if the hospital kept a complete record of all surgical photographs, and Dr. Rowe replied that the hospital did. Parker further asked, "Would that also include brain surgical photography?" Dr. Rowe replied, "Of course." Parker, upset with the previous day's findings, attacked Rowe. He told Rowe that he lying and not shooting a straight arrow. Dr. Rowe asked what Terry meant by this. Terry pointed out that he was in the Visual Education Records Library Department the previous day and witnessed that there was nothing on record for surgical photography between 1969 and 1974. He also reminded Dr. Rowe he witnessed the photographer in the operating room and photographs were taken. Dr. Rowe was further asked why these certain photographs were deleted, and where did the hospital maintain such photography. Dr. Rowe became quite nervous and turned about fifteen colours and told Parker to leave or he would call the police. Parker quietly left, but not to forget what he discovered at Sick Children's Hospital. In a decision by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, they did not take into consideration the discrepancy over photography and Dr. Hoffman's verbal agreement to provide as such to Terry Parker. The opinion of the College was that neurosurgery was often unsuccessful in controlling epilepsy, but found no evidence that Dr. Hoffman failed to maintain the standards of the profession. In a letter from Dr. Hoffman to the Health Disciplines Board, where Parker appealed the decision of the College, Dr. Hoffman states, "I should point out to you that during neurological surgery, the only area that is exposed is that of the cranium. Consequently, the statement that he kept his eyes open while the pictures were taken cannot be factual since his eyes and face would not have been in the operative field." The Health Disciples Board was concerned with Parker's complaint pertaining to photography and requested the College to look into this matter further. Who and what is the subject of the photograph given to Mr. Parker by Dr. Hoffman's office. Did Mr. Parker sign an agreement allowing photographs to be taken during his operation in exchange for Dr. Hoffman's verbal commitment to provide copies to Mr. Parker? If photographs were taken, what was done with them and why were they not given to Mr. Parker as agreed? Dr. Hoffman states that Parker did not receive any photograph from his office but speculates that he obtained it from the Visual Education Department. He further states the there was no agreement to provide photographs. Several lawyers further looked into this matter to find nothing available on record at Sick Children's Hospital. Parker contends Dr. Hoffman is lying and is definitely not giving the straight goods. In 1979, September 10 to November 12 Parker underwent a nine-week experiment at the Addiction Research, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, to prove whether or not marijuana had any effect in controlling his seizure disorder. In fact, this experiment did not investigate marijuana whatsoever on Terry Parker's seizure disorder. Rather, only one of the psychoactive constituents known as Tetra-hydrocannabinol Delta-9, or T.H.C. for short was tested. In a letter from Marlys Edward, dated October 6, 1977, to the Ontario Legal Aid Plan, Edward outlines her misconception to what drug is being administered. She asked Dr. Eugene leBlanc, formerly of the Addiction Research Foundation, to conduct a search pertaining to marijuana and epilepsy. It appears Dr. leBlanc gave Marlys Edward the misconception that the anti-convulsant property known as Cannabidiol, was also a component of T.H.C. Delta-9. Therefore, prior to the experiment, Marlys would appear somewhat disabled to represent Parker's best interests as a result of misinformation by members of the Addiction Research Foundation. In a report by the Ombudsman's Office of Ontario, doctors do not deny that they told Parker that he would receive marijuana such as he would usually consume. Therefore, the Ombudsman was content that a marijuana/epilepsy experiment was conducted and saw no substance in Parker's complaint. However, when Parker took this matter up with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, both doctors state that at no time was Parker told that he would receive marijuana such as he would normally consume, but that only the psychoactive property, T.H.C., would be administered and not marijuana. Parker, seeing that he a had a situation where two doctors were giving one story to the Ombudsman's Office and another to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, decided that there should be no problem for the Health Disciplines Board to recognize this discrepancy. The review by the Health Disciplines Board was far from being impartial, since they based their decision upon no evidence, despite the fact that evidence was available showing deceit, coercion and inconsistencies in doctor's statements as to what drug was being administered. The Health Disciplines Board dismissed Parker's complain, stating that Parker signed two consent forms and supposedly understood that only T.H.C. would be administered. Quite angered by ignorance of the Health Disciplines Board, Terry took up the matter with Carla McKauge, a Toronto lawyer sensitive to patients rights. Free of charge, Carla thought it would be best to conduct a judicial review of the Health Disciplines Board of Ontario, considering they did not exercise their full jurisdiction pertaining to this matter. It was submitted to the Supreme Court of Ontario that doctors Peter Carlen and Maryanne Lee did not carry out the terms of an agreement with the applicant made misrepresentation to the applicant respecting a remedy, treatment, or device; and failed to obtain a fully informed consent from the applicant, and in so failing to maintain the standards of the. practice of the profession. Remarkably, the Supreme Court of Ontario found no error on the part of the Health Disciplines Board to justify the intervention of the court. The court felt obliged to dismiss the matter. While this is all going on, Parker is in and out of court for marijuana possession charges, and not being successful in winning a defense of medical necessity. In 1986, Parker decided to lodge a second complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons with new evidence that not only himself but his lawyer as well was misinformed. Unlike the first complaint, pertaining to the same matter, where Terry received photocopies of doctors' letters to the college, this time he received no disclosure at all whatsoever. The College turned down his complaint stating that they had already looked into the matter and that Parker submitted no new evidence. When Parker appealed again to the Health Disciplines Board, he requested full disclosure as to the content of the doctors' letters to the College, as well as his lawyer, Marlys Edward. The Board was very apprehensive and requested recess. Afterwards, they denied full disclosure in what would appear to be an effort to cover up the truth of the matter as to the doctor's and lawyer's interpretation as to what drug was being administered. Again, the Health Disciplines Board failed to exercise its full jurisdiction in providing a fair, impartial review. At this time, Terry is up on marijuana charges and trying to find a lawyer willing to represent his best interests. Fortunately, he came across Mr. Ben Walter Fedunchak, a Toronto criminal lawyer. June 9, 1987 Parker arranged to see a person from the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights. Mr. Bob Dobson-Smith interviewed Terry and heard his concern pertaining to the experiment at the Addiction Research Foundation. Mr. Dobson-Smith inquired about previous treatment and heard of Parker's surgery at Sick Children's Hospital. Dobson-Smith is keenly interested in the cover-up of photography records and breaks more news to Parker's surprise. Dobson-Smith explained that in the late 60s and early 70s doctors used epileptic children for experimental behavioral psycho-surgery under the false pretense to alleviate epileptic seizures. His investigation revealed that this took place in different hospitals in British Columbia and in Toronto's Sick Children's Hospital. It was explained that at that time doctors were experimenting on how to conduct behavioral pattern changes in order to treat those with psychiatric disorders. He explained that Parker was a victim of such assault where fraud was being exercised. The only thing that stopped this from going to court was insufficient evidence. Parker knew of the situation at Sick Children's, and the CCHR had lost their evidence in a fire in 1977. Parker is shocked as to these new revelations, yet is now able to piece together why he did not receive seizure improvements and why Dr. Hoffman did not fulfill his promise to provide photographs. On further investigation, Parker goes to the University of Toronto and checks the Index Medicus for- Dr. Hoffman. Again, no literature or abstract in the Journal of Neurosurgery or other books on that matter. Terry can only hope to come across those who had surgery in the late 60s and early 70s at Sick Children's Hospital which may provide greater evidence. It is more than likely that those affected are not even aware of what occurred. July 7, 1987 Parker phoned 52 Homicide of the Metropolitan Police Department to bring their attention to the previous cover-up at Sick Children's Hospital. The officer asked if Parker discussed this with Detective Jack Press, the officer who arrested Nurse Susan Nelles on the murder of 36 infants at Sick Children's Hospital. Parker expressed his disappointment with Press for not conducting a thorough investigation pertaining to the 36 infant deaths. Office asked how the late 60s and early 70s incidents related to the 36 infant deaths. Parker explained that if doctors are able to delete photography records, lie to the patients, parents, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Health Disciplines board, what would stop them from deleting the records on 36 infants and hamper the police in obtaining evidence? The officer asked very coolly, "Do you have a theory as to what could have happened at the hospital?" Parker gave a theory that the doctors used 36 infants for experimental purposes and that dioxin was used as a smokescreen in order to cover up what was actually going on. Then the officer gave Parker the shocker of his life: Detective: Do you believe there's a cover-up? Parker: I'll put all my money that there is. Detective: You're correct, there is a cover-up. Parker: Are you trying to tell me that there is a literal cover-up pertaining to the 36 deaths at Sick Children's Hospital? Detective: Exactly. Parker: I don't get it. Why don't you do your job and arrest those responsible? Detective: You've got to understand, politics at that time dictated what we could and couldn't do. Parker: I don't follow. What do you mean? Detective: Mr. Parker, can you imagine how much money Sick Children's Hospital would lose if you had the parents of 36 children claim damages? Parker: That would be a lot of money. Detective: Now you understand the politics of the situation. Parker: This is off the wall, who's going to protect the children of the future? Detective: Don't worry, we know who's responsible. Parker: You're kidding. It's the doctors, right? Am I right or what? Detective: All I can tell you is that there are several people involved. Parker: Can you give me your name? Detective: You kidding? If I did that, they'd have my shirt around here. December 15, 1987 Parker wins defense of medical necessity on marijuana charge before Judge Kenneth Langdon in Brampton Provincial Court. Mr. Ben Walter Fedunchak is defense for the accused. The Crown appeals Judge Langdon's decision and Dianne Martin acted on behalf of Terry Parker. November 8, 1988 Judge Shapiro hears out arguments pertaining to Crown appeal, and on November 17, Judge Shapiro dismisses appeal and upholds Judge Langdon's decision.