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.
Here is a link to a video feed.
http://media.mgbg.com/kwch/html/real_popup.html...
Prayer lifted up.
Please update us on this heartbreaking situation when you can.
I pray for them. What a tragic situation.
susie
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
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?
I assume you could have a vent at home, can you not?
susie
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?
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.
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.
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?
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
Here's a link to an earlier thread about Brett.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1576396/posts
Why does the family need *permission* to take the kid home?
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?
Pro-life ping!
Thought you might be interested.
Praying for the little guy and his family.
here is a link to his web site.
http://web.mac.com/brettjr/iWeb/Pray%20for%20Brett%20Jr/Welcome.html
Prayers sent.
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