Free Republic

Sarai was 25 years old when she died of Wilson’s disease, an inherited disorder that causes liver failure. A liver transplant could have cured her, but she was uninsured and was denied an appointment at two prominent Chicago transplant hospitals, including my own. Sarai’s plight was brought to my attention when a local religious group held a hunger strike advocating transplant access for Sarai and other uninsured patients. When she died, her congregation marched seven miles, holding her photograph and lugging coffins emblazoned with her name, to launch a sit-in in front of Northwestern University Hospital. Her death certificate named...

Ansell, an electrician, has a display on his yard that features a beheaded choir, a hanging Mickey Mouse and even a urinating Santa Claus that lights up at night. “There was a Virgin Mary here, and he placed a knife through her head, right there on the edge of our driveway,” Joanne Hebda told “20/20.” “I thought it was a terroristic threat.” To make matters worse, his neighbors said, Ansell also tacked up profane signs all over his house attacking the township and neighbors personally. The worst sign, the neighbors said, included disparaging remarks about neighbor Tom White's late wife,...

THE chairman of gloves and condoms maker Ansell, Ed Tweddell, has died, aged 64. Dr Tweddell's family announced his death today. The family said in a statement that while circumstances were unclear, it appeared that Dr Tweddell took his own life late yesterday, after some health-related issues. "This is so unexpected, and extremely sad and upsetting for all of us," Dr Tweddell's wife, Sue Tweddell, said. "Ed was a wonderful husband and father and we believe he had so much to live for. "His decision has been heart-breaking for us and we are still coming to terms with his death."...