Some of Claire Twomey’s reflections since our MindFreedom Ireland’s very enjoyable Christmas party in 2022.

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” George Orwell

” I interviewed a select group of people that inspired me in some way and I got the answers I was desperately seeking. One of those people along the way was Mary Maddock and I spent the evening with her and her Mind Freedom allies last night. Some special moments were shared with Mary and her family and with such a warm group of people that in some shape or form have all been hurt in some way by the medical model.

Mary played Christmas songs on the piano, while everyone belted out the words with smiling faces all around. Precious and kind-hearted Mary holds my hand and looks into my eyes and doesn’t have to say much, I know what she’s saying with her eyes. Please carry on the fight, stand up for those without a voice… keep talking about the abusive disempowerment that comes with medicalising human beings’ thoughts and emotions.

I once did a radio interview with Mary to speak out about Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) and how this barbaric treatment can be administered without the person or their families’ consent. After the first segment we were getting instructions from the radio presenter about the next segment, I nodded diligently and listened carefully about what was happening next. When I looked over at Mary, she had her head back, eyes closed, larger than life headphones on her ears while singing her heart out to Mary black … Living and loving the moment, nothing else mattered! I called her a few times but then decided to watch how she put everything on hold and just enjoyed the music, that moment brought me so much joy and still does.

Taking nothing for granted and seeing the good in everybody shows her pureness and gentle nature..we’re all messy, complex and full of doubt and insecurities, but I’m glad no one has robbed her of her peace and gratitude for the simple things in life …

Not for lack of trying!”  Claire Twomey

Thank you Claire for working with us to expose the human rights abuses which are part and parcel of institutional, deceptive biopsychiatry. Often those who feign to help us continue to oppressive us. I know you will inspire others to see the toxic elephant in the room and hopefully, those in distress who often are deprived of their basic needs will avoid the trap of believing those who perceive themselves to know best.

Mary Maddock

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be “cured” against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.”

― C.S. Lewis