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Family Fights To Take Toddler Home
Kake News Wichita Kansas ^ | Feb. 28, 2006 | Kake news Reporter Chris Frank

Posted on 03/01/2006 7:03:01 PM PST by KSApplePie_two

Family Fights To Take Toddler Home Chris Frank

Life Or Death Battle

Feb. 28-A life or death decision could be hanging in the balance for a child.

Little Brett Shively Junior was rushed to the hospital after a terrible accident where he nearly drowned in a bathtub.

Now his family is fighting to bring the little boy home.

A hearing is scheduled Wednesday in District Court to decide whether or not a Wichita hospital can remove the ventilator keeping the two year old boy alive.

Brett's family says, "We just believe that we're the best people to decide his care."

His family is pitted against Wesley Medical Center over what's best for his care.

The boy, who just turned two, hasn't awakened from a coma since a near drowning accident more than three weeks ago.

Shively Family Attorney Dana Milby says, "We have a family who's in complete agreement on how to best care for this child, and we have a hospital fighting to enforce it's own opinion on what it thinks is the best thing for this child."

A temporary restraining order keeps Wesley from pulling the plug on the boy's life supporting ventilator.

A judge will decide if that order should continue.

The Shively's attorney says "This is despite the fact that this is blatantly against the parents wishes. And that the parents have a doctor who has agreed to provide followup care. They have a home health agency in place ready to provide care for Brett Jr. at home. "

They say there's no reason the boy can't go home and be cared for.

Brett Jr.'s Grandmother Glenda Shively says, "They have predetermined that he can not recover even though we have been sent documented cases of people that have had the same diagnosis and have months down the road recovered. And that's why we're asking them to allow him to go home for us to care for him until that has time to take place."

She says the hospital is assisting Brett's life by providing oxygen and nutrition and says his organs are functioning and undamaged.

But they say Wesley wants to declare Brett Junior brain dead and remove life support.

Wesley Medical Center issued a statement saying, ""We understand this tragic accident has left the Shively family distraught. We're sorry they have chosen to take this case to a hearing. But we're sympathetic to their needs during this very difficult time."

The judge could rule at Wednesday's hearing.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Kansas
KEYWORDS: braindamage; coma; constitutional; euthanasia; faith; healing; hospitalauthority; junior; juniorshively; lifesupport; parentalrights; prolife; shively; terrishiavo
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We know this family. They are strong Christians who believe in the healing power of God. This situation feels somewhat similar to what Terri Shiavo's family went through. Please pray for them. We caught the tail end of the news at 6pm and I'm pretty sure the Judge temporarily ruled in favor of the the Shively family. Will watch the news at 10pm and give an update if there is any more news.

Here is a link to a video feed.

http://media.mgbg.com/kwch/html/real_popup.html...

1 posted on 03/01/2006 7:03:05 PM PST by KSApplePie_two
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To: KSApplePie_two

Prayer lifted up.


2 posted on 03/01/2006 7:07:17 PM PST by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
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To: KSApplePie_two
May a loving God keep this child in his care and comfort and strengthen the family for whatever they will have to face in the days ahead. If it is God's will for this child to recover, let it be ... but, let God's will be done.

Please update us on this heartbreaking situation when you can.

3 posted on 03/01/2006 7:08:59 PM PST by caryatid (Jolie Blonde, 'gardez donc, quoi t'as fait ...)
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To: KSApplePie_two

I pray for them. What a tragic situation.
susie


4 posted on 03/01/2006 7:13:11 PM PST by brytlea (I'm not a conspiracy theorist....really.)
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To: KSApplePie_two; 8mmMauser; floriduh voter; BykrBayb

Prayers for the Shivelys. This is just not right...as usual : (

What I want to know is why it is so wrong to allow the family to care for this little guy. After all, it would be cost effective. Isn't that what they want? Cost cutting measures? /sarc


5 posted on 03/01/2006 7:17:43 PM PST by TheSpottedOwl (Support the fence....grow a Victory Garden!)
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To: TheSpottedOwl

I don't understand...if he's being kept alive on a ventilator, won't he die if they take him home? Am I missing something?


6 posted on 03/01/2006 7:22:23 PM PST by Hildy (The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth)
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To: Hildy

I assume you could have a vent at home, can you not?
susie


7 posted on 03/01/2006 7:24:31 PM PST by brytlea (I'm not a conspiracy theorist....really.)
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To: KSApplePie_two

Okay, let me see if I've got this. The family has in place a plan and means to care for their child at home. They have a competent medical doctor who will provided follow-up care at home. If I am reading this wrong, please someone correct me. (Like I would have to ask for that on FreeRepublic)

How can the hospital have any say in this matter?

Is the hospital going to foot the bill? Why do they even care if the family takes the child home? Are they afraid he will die at home instead of at the hospital?

I am not trying to be rhetorical. Does anyone know the answers to these questions? Basically, what is the hospital's side in this story?


8 posted on 03/01/2006 7:25:14 PM PST by dpa5923 (Small minds talk about people, normal minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas.)
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To: KSApplePie_two

i dont understand why a hospital wants to take
a patient off a ventilator but wont allow that
patient to go home to be cared for by family.

my thoughts are for all of them in this tough time.


9 posted on 03/01/2006 7:27:35 PM PST by leda (Dream a better dream and work to make it reality!)
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To: KSApplePie_two

I heard about this case a few weeks ago, and it is very sad. I continue to offer up my prayers for Brett and his family.


10 posted on 03/01/2006 7:47:04 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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To: KSApplePie_two

This story doesn't make any sense. The kid's in a coma, on life support, and the family wants to take him home? wtf?


11 posted on 03/01/2006 7:51:04 PM PST by Sandy
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To: dpa5923

Here is another local tv station's story with a very good video link. Watch the video. Its will answer alot of your questions.


http://kwch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=KWCH%2FMGArticle%2FWCH_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137834425070&path=%21news%21local&path=!news!local


12 posted on 03/01/2006 7:51:13 PM PST by KSApplePie_two
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To: dpa5923

Here's a link to an earlier thread about Brett.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1576396/posts


13 posted on 03/01/2006 7:51:22 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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To: KSApplePie_two
we're asking them to allow him to go home for us to care for him

Why does the family need *permission* to take the kid home?

14 posted on 03/01/2006 7:56:27 PM PST by Sandy
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To: KSApplePie_two

Very good video. I see no reason why the hospital should be allowed to move forward with this since the parents already have been trained in his care, and have insurance in place. Why the rush to take him off of life support?


15 posted on 03/01/2006 8:04:21 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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To: cgk; Mr. Silverback; Lesforlife; cpforlife.org; topher

Pro-life ping!


16 posted on 03/01/2006 8:08:29 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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To: kathsua; TheSarce

Thought you might be interested.


17 posted on 03/01/2006 8:16:30 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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To: KSApplePie_two

Praying for the little guy and his family.


18 posted on 03/01/2006 8:18:44 PM PST by Dustbunny (Life is the sum total of the choices we make in life.)
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To: Ohioan from Florida

here is a link to his web site.

http://web.mac.com/brettjr/iWeb/Pray%20for%20Brett%20Jr/Welcome.html


19 posted on 03/01/2006 8:38:12 PM PST by KSApplePie_two
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To: KSApplePie_two

Prayers sent.


20 posted on 03/01/2006 8:40:29 PM PST by jamaly (I evacuate early and often!)
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