Comments on: defeated on so many levels http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/ theLPkidsBlog@me.com Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:53:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Jim F. Higy http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2336 Jim F. Higy Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:45:44 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2336 Janice, and Kids, I'm SO Sorry to hear that you all had to become another foot note in our History... Working in the Health Care/Insurance I know that there is actually no legal means, no HIPPA, PHI that you and your children had violated. No City and State Laws (in most)... The only violation that occurred is your rights as loved ones. I suppose the ruling is right in part, a Hospital Facility does not have to allow any visitors, Adult or Child, and of any Orientation, and regardless of the Documentation. But to allow others that right and privilege, is to violate, discriminate, and mock your family and that is indeed WRONG. I don't know what legal grounds one would have, but I do at least feel loved ones and friends have the right to see their loved one who is a patient no matter where they are. I do know, that you all had the right to select that hospital, and to have her moved elsewhere, and the power of attorney should have given you that much. But that is water under the bridge, hind sight being 20/20. What good to come of all of this, will be that your Children will learn a valuable lesson about Rights, about Discrimination, Love, and Grace. The power of the People, and the Laws, and how the People can Change the Laws, and the Laws are always Changing, and can Be Changed. I'm sorry for your loss, and that this only adds salt to the wound. And that you all have to be a poster family for Change and Equality for GLBT Rights. God Bless you all, Jim F. Higy Janice, and Kids,

I’m SO Sorry to hear that you all had to become another foot note in our History…

Working in the Health Care/Insurance I know that there is actually no legal means, no HIPPA, PHI that you and your children had violated. No City and State Laws (in most)…

The only violation that occurred is your rights as loved ones.

I suppose the ruling is right in part, a Hospital Facility does not have to allow any visitors, Adult or Child, and of any Orientation, and regardless of the Documentation. But to allow others that right and privilege, is to violate, discriminate, and mock your family and that is indeed WRONG.

I don’t know what legal grounds one would have, but I do at least feel loved ones and friends have the right to see their loved one who is a patient no matter where they are.

I do know, that you all had the right to select that hospital, and to have her moved elsewhere, and the power of attorney should have given you that much. But that is water under the bridge, hind sight being 20/20.

What good to come of all of this, will be that your Children will learn a valuable lesson about Rights, about Discrimination, Love, and Grace. The power of the People, and the Laws, and how the People can Change the Laws, and the Laws are always Changing, and can Be Changed.

I’m sorry for your loss, and that this only adds salt to the wound. And that you all have to be a poster family for Change and Equality for GLBT Rights.

God Bless you all,

Jim F. Higy

]]> By: Mary http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2268 Mary Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:36:41 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2268 My husband found your story on Asterisk and cried as he read it aloud to me. If there is anything strangers like us can do to help, please let us know. My husband found your story on Asterisk and cried as he read it aloud to me. If there is anything strangers like us can do to help, please let us know.

]]> By: Tom Brown http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2263 Tom Brown Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:19:16 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2263 New Church Family, a gay-affirming church in Daytona, is praying for the well-being of your family and for justice to prevail. Even if one judge has dealt you a setback, this is a powerful wake-up call for all gay families to be vigilant and aggressive in protecting their loved ones who end up in ICUs. President Obama has said so many times in campaign speeches that gay people deserve equal access in hospitals -- let's see if he will ask Congress to make that a matter of federal law. If Jackson was in danger of losing its Medicare and Medicaid funds, I'm sure it would do a much better job of treating LGBT patients and families with respect. New Church Family, a gay-affirming church in Daytona, is praying for the well-being of your family and for justice to prevail. Even if one judge has dealt you a setback, this is a powerful wake-up call for all gay families to be vigilant and aggressive in protecting their loved ones who end up in ICUs. President Obama has said so many times in campaign speeches that gay people deserve equal access in hospitals — let’s see if he will ask Congress to make that a matter of federal law. If Jackson was in danger of losing its Medicare and Medicaid funds, I’m sure it would do a much better job of treating LGBT patients and families with respect.

]]> By: Laura Douglas-Brown http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2250 Laura Douglas-Brown Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:41:06 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2250 Hi, Janice, I'm the editor of Southern Voice, and posted the story you linked here. It's a heartbreaking story and any of us could be in your shoes. I think of the dozens of times my partner of 12 years and I, with our two kids, have visited Florida without remembering to have our powers of attorney with us; and then to think they may not even be honored if we do. Please do not think you have in any way failed. This is no more your fault than the terrible hospital that did this to begin with. You have educated many, and will continue to do so, as this story isn't being forgotten. Peace, Laura Douglas-Brown Hi, Janice,

I’m the editor of Southern Voice, and posted the story you linked here. It’s a heartbreaking story and any of us could be in your shoes. I think of the dozens of times my partner of 12 years and I, with our two kids, have visited Florida without remembering to have our powers of attorney with us; and then to think they may not even be honored if we do.

Please do not think you have in any way failed. This is no more your fault than the terrible hospital that did this to begin with. You have educated many, and will continue to do so, as this story isn’t being forgotten.

Peace,
Laura Douglas-Brown

]]> By: Nunya http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2241 Nunya Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:11:26 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2241 To quote Lord of the Rings... "There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of men for this treachery." The mind boggles that they refused recognition of the power of attorney - that has nothing to do with whether they like gays or not. That is refusing to abide by the law of the land. The organization and individuals involved in this should be made to pay and made to pay dearly for what they've done. To quote Lord of the Rings…

“There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of men for this treachery.”

The mind boggles that they refused recognition of the power of attorney – that has nothing to do with whether they like gays or not. That is refusing to abide by the law of the land. The organization and individuals involved in this should be made to pay and made to pay dearly for what they’ve done.

]]> By: Tinga Mastrelli http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2240 Tinga Mastrelli Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:42:47 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2240 Oh Jan, I am so sorry. For your tragic loss, for this ridiculous and confounding decision and for the state of our stupid country. You have not failed, our justice system has failed you. I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are still going through. You have deep wells of strength to have fought this as far as you have, and I wish I could take some of the burdens off your shoulders. Please let us know what we can do to help. You and the children are in my thoughts. Oh Jan, I am so sorry. For your tragic loss, for this ridiculous and confounding decision and for the state of our stupid country. You have not failed, our justice system has failed you. I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are still going through. You have deep wells of strength to have fought this as far as you have, and I wish I could take some of the burdens off your shoulders.

Please let us know what we can do to help. You and the children are in my thoughts.

]]> By: thelpkids http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2218 thelpkids Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:23:03 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2218 I'll post how people can write in their concerns. I’ll post how people can write in their concerns.

]]> By: Philip http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2215 Philip Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:41:56 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2215 Jan, I read about this on another blog and wanted to stop by and let you know that my heart goes out to you. This is tragic (and terrifying) in so many ways. I sincerely hope you are able to find justice. Jan, I read about this on another blog and wanted to stop by and let you know that my heart goes out to you. This is tragic (and terrifying) in so many ways. I sincerely hope you are able to find justice.

]]> By: thelpkids http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2210 thelpkids Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:41:29 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2210 Oh Garrison if right now I could see beyond the next five minutes I hope I can. All the speaking, video and newspaper coverage has been difficult but felt so important.. I worry that now there will be a footnote to our story - she tried but failed.. just like I failed to be with lisa at her last moments. Thank you for your comment. I appreciate you coming and stopping by. Oh Garrison if right now I could see beyond the next five minutes I hope I can. All the speaking, video and newspaper coverage has been difficult but felt so important.. I worry that now there will be a footnote to our story – she tried but failed.. just like I failed to be with lisa at her last moments. Thank you for your comment. I appreciate you coming and stopping by.

]]> By: Garrison http://thelpkids.com/2009/09/29/defeated-on-so-many-levels/#comment-2209 Garrison Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:34:04 +0000 http://thelpkids.com/?p=1071#comment-2209 Very sorry to hear this, Jan. I hope you take it all the way to the top no matter what. Very sorry to hear this, Jan. I hope you take it all the way to the top no matter what.

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