Lauren Richardson Becomes Next Terri Schiavo as Parents Debate Euthanasia (Delaware)

LifeNews ^ | 2/1/2008 | Steven Ertelt

[Pyro7480]

A Delaware woman has become the next Terri Schiavo as her parents engage in a massive legal and philosophical debate about whether to subject her to euthanasia. Richardson is a 23-year-old woman who overdosed on heroin in August 2006 while she was three months pregnant with a baby girl.

Doctors kept Lauren on life support until she delivered her baby in February 2007. Shortly thereafter, her parents began a fight that is reminiscent of the battle over Terri's life and death.

As in the Terri Schiavo case, physicians have been quick to label Lauren as having a persistent vegetative state -- something Terri's family called dehumanizing and medically inaccurate as patients have recovered from it.

Edith Towers, Lauren's mother, wants to remove her feeding tube and starve and dehydrate her to death in the same manner that Michael Schiavo subjected Terri.

Towers claims Lauren would never have wanted to live as a permanently disabled person, but Lauren, as with Terri, did not have a living will or other advance directive spelling out her treatment wishes. She claims Lauren told her during Terri's battle that she would not want to live like her.

On the other side is Randy Richardson, Lauren's father is fighting to save her life and wants to be appointed as her guardian to ensure she receives appropriate medical care and treatment.

"She's committed no crime and doesn't deserve to have this death imposed on her," Richardson told the News Journal newspaper on Wednesday. "We just want to give her a chance."

Lauren no longer uses a ventilator or other breathing apparatus and is not on artificial life support -- something Randy contends is showing progress.

Towers is winning the legal battle in court as she was awarded guardianship of Lauren, but Randy Richardson has filed an appeal.

The News Journal indicates Delaware Court of Chancery Master Sam Glasscock III has put any action taking Lauren's life on hold while the court reviews the guardianship ruling -- a process that could take as much as three months to complete.

Regardless of the decision, an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court is expected.

Randy Richardson also has other concerns about his daughter and says that Towers, his ex-wife, has not allowed Lauren's baby to see her.

Richardson and the Delaware Pro-Life Coalition released a video on Wednesday that shows Lauren at a nursing home reacting to family members and a dog.

The pro-life group also organized a prayer vigil near the Arbors Rehab Center in New Castle.

[wagglebee]

However, he did make sure that there was a strong enough police presence to arrest children who had the audacity to try to take a bottle of water to a thirsty and dying woman.

[ReignOfError]

I have no doubt that you’re sincere, and that you would never vote for Jeb Bush again. My sole point in all of this is that yours is not the majority view.

[8mmMauser]

Well, that is clear enough. You imply yourself in the majority. So I presume, you are pro Jeb. By contrast I am pro-life.

[8mmMauser]

Some good news!

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WINNIPEG - The family of an 84-year-old Orthodox man who is on a life-support system has been victorious in the first round of its legal battle against the hospital which unsuccessfully tried to take him off the system some two-and-a-half months ago.

On Wednesday, Justice Perry Schulman granted an interim injunction that prevents doctors at the Grace Hospital here from removing Sam Golubchuk's life support, a move that would have violated his family's wishes and religious beliefs.

The hospital had taken the position that Golubchuk had minimal brain function and the decision to remove him from life support ought to be made solely by treating physicians, and not the courts.

However, Schulman ruled that, on the contrary, in a situation where doctors make a decision to remove a patient's life support without the family's consent, there is a role for the courts to play in adjudicating the factual and legal issues in dispute.

The injunction will remain in place until the case goes trial, during which the family will present two medical experts who dispute the hospital's position that Golubchuk has minimal brain function.

In the meantime, Schulman has ruled the hospital is required to provide Golubchuk with antibiotics, blood transfusions, and CPR in the event that such a need arises.

Schulman also ruled that a copy of his court order was to be attached to Golubchuk's medical chart to ensure that every doctor, nurse, and health care worker properly abide by it.

Miriam Geller, Golubchuk's daughter, said: "Our dad would be very proud of us [myself and my brother] for fighting to keep him alive."

Her brother, Percy Golubchuk, stated: "This decision isn't just for my dad, but for every elderly or handicapped person. It's not just a decision for a Jewish person, but for everyone."

Golubchuk added: "Doctors don't always know everything. God is the top doctor. Doctors are just his assistants."

Neil Kravetsky, the family's lawyer, said that the case will continue even if Golubchuk were to die before a trial was held, "because we have filed a civil lawsuit for damages" based on the hospital's behavior.

Kravetsky noted that "Golubchuk's condition improved some weeks ago and since then it is much the same. He is awake and is slowly being weaned off life support."

In his decision, Schulman ruled that a patient has the right to be free from medical treatment to which the patient does not consent.

He said that the removal of Golubchuk's life support would involve "an interaction" with his body, and would necessitate giving him narcotics when he was taken off his ventilator.

He found that the decision to remove a patient's life support without his consent violates the patients's right to have control over his bodily integrity.

However, Schulman said that Golubchuk's right to control his bodily integrity is not absolute, and can be reasonably limited in a free and democratic society.

The ultimate question before the court at trial will be whether it is a reasonable in this case for the hospital to limit Golubchuk's right to control his bodily integrity by removing his life support.

Orthodox family wins life-support battle in Canada

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[8mmMauser]

The above was a reporting today from Israel. Wagglebee has a thread on the topic:

A Winnipeg case currently winding its way to its grim conclusion pits the children of Samuel Golubchuk against doctors at the Salvation Army Grace General Hospital. According to the pleadings, Golubchuk's doctors informed his children that their 84-year-old father is "in the process of dying" and that they intended to hasten the process by removing his ventilation, and if that proved insufficient to kill him quickly, to also remove his feeding tube. In the event that the patient showed discomfort during these procedures, the chief of the hospital's ICU unit stated in his affidavit that he would administer morphine.......

In Canada, the Schiavo case with an outrageous twist

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[8mmMauser]

Javona Peters has died, apparently of natural causes.

Requiescant in Pace

[8mmMauser]

Our friends at HLI hope to get through to the new head of the Jesuits.

....In America the horrors range from ten Jesuit universities sponsoring the despicable V-Monologues on campus this year, others hosting gay and lesbian student groups, one giving scholarships for training in pro-abortion activism and many others bestowing honorary degrees and speaking platforms to pro-abortion politicians in commencement ceremonies. What will be done about this?

Second, Ignatius would want to know whether Fr. Nicolás will discipline dissenting theologians in their ranks before the US Bishops or the Vatican have to. Fr. Peter Phan of Georgetown is the most recent example, but other "theologians" like ex-priest Daniel McGuire at Marquette and at least one Jesuit "ethicist" who endorsed the killing of Terri Schiavo are outright predators on the faith of young souls and need to be removed.

Then there is the nagging scandal of deceased Jesuit, Robert Drinan. Fr. Drinan was a US Congressman in the 70s with a 100% pro-abortion voting record and was never once disciplined by his superiors for his blatantly heretical positions. In fact, he was so benignly pardoned by his superiors that Georgetown Law School rewarded him with an honorary Endowed Chair for human rights!............

Commentary: HLI Leader Challenges New Jesuit Superior to Bring Order Back to Life, Family and Faith

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[8mmMauser]

Advice to gays...

The horror! What if Terri's family had won?

..................................

This section is meant to be informative only. Individual situations are likely to vary. I strongly urge you to contact and obtain legal advice and assistance from an attorney when considering any of these options. It is important to note that, depending on the state in which you reside, laws may vary, particularly with respect to civil unions, marriage and domestic partnerships as they relate to gay people.

~Snip~

It is recommended that you obtain both a health care proxy and a living will to ensure that your preferences about medical treatment are honored. Remember once again this is crucial. Recall the recent case involving Theresa Schiavo, who was declared brain-dead but remained alive with the help of a feeding tube. Her parents battled with her legal husband about maintaining her life with the aid of this feeding tube, despite the fact that her legally recognized husband thought otherwise. In the case of a gay husband, the wishes of the parent would likely be upheld.

Legal health: Excerpt from The Advocate Guide To Gay Men's Health And Wellness

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[8mmMauser]

Kill Bill

I guess the rulers of New Jersey don't trust the supply of fresh used people parts Made in China and need their own supplies. I suggest anyone with useful parts in New Jersey try not to be declared brain dead too quickly.

You can become a hero by going brain dead early. In the old Soviet Union you could become a Hero of the Soviet Union, by turning in your mom and dad. I guess this is a spin off of the nifty USSR terms. Thread by Eric Blair 2084. Thanks to TheSarce for the ping.

New Jersey would become the first state in the country to require people renewing or obtaining a driver's license to decide whether they are willing to become registered organ donors under a bill a Senate committee approved today.

The "New Jersey Hero Act" (S755) also would make New Jersey the first state to require high school health classes to teach the importance of organ donation..............

Bill would require NJ drivers to make organ donation choice

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[LilAngel]

I wonder what they mean by “natural.”

Rest in peace, Javona.

[wagglebee]

Godspeed to Javona and prayers for her family.

Even though her death is tragic, it took place as our Lord intended and not at the hands of murderers.

[ReignOfError]

Well, that is clear enough. You imply yourself in the majority. So I presume, you are pro Jeb. By contrast I am pro-life.

I take no position on Jeb. He's not running for office, and I don't live in Florida. I'm just able to look at the fact that he left office with a 58% approval rating.

You appear to be unable to distinguish between analysis and cheerleading when either doesn't go the way you'd prefer.

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

"The spark of life should never be snuffed out by another human."

Be careful how you word your statements. They may come back to bite you. No human should snuff out the spark of life in another human UNLESS he or she is preserving his or her life from being snuffed out by another human.

[8mmMauser]

I grasp the meaning sarcasm and know the difference between it and analysis. You should try it too. You can Google the word if you do not understand it. Your intent is showing through and that is what I illustrate.

[ReignOfError]

Your intent is showing through

You can read what you want into what I say. My sole point from the beginning of this interminable discussion is that Jeb's popularity did not decline post-Terri. I was answering the claim that the Schiavo case made him a "has been."

[8mmMauser]

In certain sectors and amongst liberals it probably did. I sure grant that. Amongst pro-life folks though, who saw what happened he is and richly deserves the moniker of “has-been” and Florida has a lot of ‘em. Time will tell.

[8mmMauser]

From the Baptist Press...

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WASHINGTON (BP)--A young, severely brain injured Delaware woman is at the center of a life-and-death court battle between her parents.

Regrettably, her potential demise by starvation and dehydration would not be an unusual occurrence in this country, a pro-life, bioethics specialist says.

Randy Richardson and Edith Towers are locked in a fight over the fate of their daughter, Lauren Richardson, 26, whom a judge has ruled is in a "persistent vegetative state" after an accidental heroin overdose, according to The Wilmington (Del.) News Journal. Lauren was pregnant when she suffered the brain injury in August 2006. She was placed on life support in order to save her baby, whom she gave birth to several months later.

After the birth, the parents began battling over Lauren's care. Towers says her daughter had expressed a desire not to live in such a condition, while Richardson refutes his former wife's claim, The News Journal reported. A judge granted guardianship to Towers in January, a ruling that could lead to removal of her feeding tube. Richardson, however, appealed the ruling, blocking any withdrawal of treatment for now.

The case is reminiscent of that of Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who was described as being in a "persistent vegetative state" despite giving the appearance of responding to others and died in 2005. A court granted her husband's wishes that her feeding tube be removed over the opposition of her parents.

Such cases are all too common but rarely reported, said Wesley Smith, a lawyer for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide............................

LIFE DIGEST: Del. woman may be one of many who die by starvation

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[8mmMauser]

The Lake Elmo woman again...

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LAKE ELMO, Minnesota, February 15, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - 65-year-old Raleane "Rae" Kupferschmidt's relatives were told by doctors that she was "brain dead" after she had suffered a massive cerebral haemorrhage in mid-January. Her family had taken her home to die and were in the process of grieving and planning her funeral when she awoke and was rushed back to hospital.

In accordance with her own wishes, doctors had removed Rae's breathing tube and were waiting for her to die. She was taken home from the hospital, and while friends and family gathered to say a last good bye, Kupferschmidt's daughter Lisa Sturm used an ice cube to wet her mother's dry lips. When her mother sucked on the ice cube, she thought it was only an instinctive reaction. She said, "I knew suckling is a very basic brain stem function, so I didn't get real excited. But when I did it again she just about sucked the ice cube out of my hand, and I looked at my aunt and said, 'Did you see that?'"

"So I leaned down and asked, 'Mom... Mom, are you in there?'" Sturm said. "And when she shook her head and mouthed, 'Yes,' we all just about fell over."

Rae was rushed back to the hospital and underwent surgery to drain the blood clot from her skull. After surgery, she recovered her strength and is now undergoing physical therapy and can walk with the aid of a walker. Doctors expect her to be walking on her own within weeks. Rae says she does not remember anything during her coma.

"I still don't know what my task is here on this Earth, but I know God's not done with me yet. How else could you explain everything that has happened to me?" Rae said.

She told family that she had seen angels in her room. "I said these angels are not here to take me home to my father. They're here to help me, to help me get over this."

"Brain death" or "death by neurological criteria," is a common diagnosis of patients who are said to be in an irreversible coma, sometimes referred to as a "persistent vegetative state" (PVS). Physicians and bioethicists who support the brain death criteria claim that such a diagnosis is reliable and means that a patient is beyond any hope of recovery.

Under new bioethics criteria, "brain death" can be used as a condition under which organs are removed from a patient while his heart is kept beating. Organ transplant requires that tissue be recovered from donors as close to physical death as possible and physicians are under heavy pressure to procure more organs.
 
The fact that in many cases patients who have been unconscious, semi-conscious or severely neurologically disabled, such as Terri Schiavo, have been declared "brain dead" or "PVS" only to recover, has undermined public confidence in the medical system.

In the US in 2006, Terry Wallis, who experienced a car wreck in 1984, woke unexpectedly and began to recover after 19 years in a minimally conscious state. In 2005 in Italy, Salvatore Crisafulli woke from a coma he had suffered for two years. He had been declared "nearly dead" by doctors after a serious auto accident that left him unresponsive. In Poland in 2007, a railway worker astonished his family and doctors when he awoke spontaneously after 19 years.

Doctors at United Hospital said they are amazed by Rae Kupferschmidt's recovery. One told Good Morning America, "I've been here for ten years and I've never seen anything quite like this."

Rae told Good Morning America, "God's got something for me to do. When I learn it, I'll unfold it and follow it."

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

More Hospitals/Governments Push For Organ Transplants 5 Minutes or Less after Heart Stops
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/aug/06080808.html

Woman Diagnosed as "Brain Dead" Walks and Talks after Awakening

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[8mmMauser]

Mr. Golubchuk receives support from Terri's family...

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WINNIPEG - The family of Terri Schiavo - whose end-of-life battle sparked international headlines and the intervention of a United States president - has joined the cause of a Winnipeg family fighting to prevent doctors from pulling life-support from an 84-year-old man.

And Bobby Schindler, Schiavo's brother, said he believes the situation facing the adult children of Sam Golubchuk is actually worse than the one his family faced trying to keep his sister alive.

Schindler, the executive director of the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, told the Winnipeg Free Press he has written to the city's Grace Hospital to try to persuade them not to remove life-support from Golubchuk.

"We're against what the hospital is doing," he said.

"They did respond, but it basically said they were giving the gentleman the best care they could. They didn't really address it."

~Snip~

But Schindler said what his family endured was not as bad as what the Golubchuks are going through.

"This is even worse than my sister's situation because here, the family is in agreement with keeping him alive, where we were battling with Michael Schiavo," he said. "This is alarming when you have hospitals making these decisions."............................

Schiavo family joins Winnipeg family's life-support fight

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