Posted on 04/07/2005 2:59:57 AM PDT by schmelvin
For Immediate release! To: All media, and supporters of life. From: The Family of Mae Magouirk Date: April 6, 2005 Contact: Kenneth Mullinax - Mockingbird@compuhelp.net
Shiavo case revisited in Georgia
Mae Magouirk…not comatose …not vegetative …not terminal
Why is Hospice LaGrange, Ga. withholding nourishment?
(LaGrange, Georgia) Mae Magouirk is being withheld nourishment and fluids and the provisions of her Living Will are not being honored at the Hospice-LaGrange, (1510 Vernon Street, LaGrange “Troup County” Georgia, 706-845-3905) a subsidiary of the LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange Georgia. Her family is desperately seeking to save her life before she dies of malnourishment and dehydration.
Mae Magouirk IS NOT comatose and she IS NOT vegetative. She is not terminal!
Despite these facts the Hospice and Beth Gaddy, a school teacher at LaGrange’s Calloway Middle School and granddaughter of Mae Magouirk have been denying her proactive nourishment or fluids (via a nose administered feeding tube or fluids via an IV) since March 28 without prior legal consent; against the wishes of her Living Will and against the wishes of Mae Magouirk’s closest living next of kin. Mae Magouirk’s next of kin are: Mr. A. B. McLeod (Her Brother) and Mrs. Lonnie Ruth Mullinax (Her sister) both of nearby Anniston, Alabama.
Under Georgia law, unless a medical durable power of attorney is in place, your closest living next of kin are stipulated to make all medical decisions. When Mae Magouirk’s closest living next of kin lodged a complaint with Hospice LaGrange’s in-house attorney Carol Todd last Thursday, March 31, Ms. Todd checked Mae Magouirk’s case file and upon examination of both documents discovered that Beth Gaddy DID NOT have the durable medical power of attorney for Mae Magouirk and upon closer examination of Mae Magouirk’s Living Will ascertained that fluids and nourishment were ONLY TO BE WITHHELD if she was either comatose or vegetative. SHE IS IN NEITHER STATE!!!
Nor is Mae Magouirk terminally ill. Her local LaGrange, Ga. cardiologist, Dr. James Brennan and Dr. Raed Aqel, a highly acclaimed interventional cardiologist at the nationally renowned University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center have determined that Mae Magouirk’s aortic dissection is contained and not presently life threatening.
Two weeks ago, Mae Magouirk’s aorta had a dissection and she was hospitalized in the LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, Ga. Her aortic problem was at first determined to be severe and she was admitted in the intensive care Unit. Her granddaughter, Beth Gaddy, a teacher at the Calloway Middle School in LaGrange, stated that she held Mae Magouirk’s medical power of attorney and thus invoked said powers against the wishes of Mae Magouirk’s closest living next of kin by having her moved to Hospice-LaGrange. While at Hospice-LaGrange, Beth Gaddy stated that her wishes were for no nourishment for Mae Magouirk via a feeding tube or fluids via an IV. Before hospitalization Mae was lucid and never had been diagnosed with dementia as was testified to in Probate Court on Monday, April 4, by a local MD.
Page Two Mae Magouirk is being starved to death!
Upon learning from Hospice-LaGrange that Mae Magouirk was being denied nourishment and fluids and upon being told by Carol Todd (Hospice LaGrange’s in-house legal consul) that Beth Gaddy DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER LEGAL AUTHORITY to deny said nourishment AND that the denial of nourishment went against Mae Magouirk’s Living Will, Mae’s family (Mullinax/McLeod) ordered the immediate beginning of such nourishment/fluids for Mae to Hospice via Carol Todd.
First Contact with Hospice on Thursday, March 31 Carol Todd told Mrs. Lonnie Ruth Mullinax (Mae Magouirk’s sister) and Kenneth Mullinax (Mae Magouirk’s nephew) via phone on Thursday, March 31 that Georgia Law stipulated that Mrs. Mullinax and her brother A. B. McLeod (Mae Magouirk’s brother) were entitled to make any and all decisions for Mae Magouirk. Mrs. Mullinax immediately told Carol Todd to insert fluids via an IV and insert a feeding tube, via her nose. Carol Todd had the IV fluids started that evening but told the family that they would have to come to Hospice LaGrange to sign papers to have the feeding tube inserted and because of such, she believed that Mae Magouirk would no longer be a candidate for Hospice LaGrange. She was then told that Mae Magouirk’s family concurred and the ONLY REASON Mae was at Hospice was because the LaGrange Hospital had failed to exercise due diligence in closely examining the power of attorney which Beth Gaddy said she had, as well as executing the provisions of Mae’s Living Will to her preordained stipulations. Gaddy only had a financial power of attorney and did not have a medical power of attorney and Mae Magouirk’s Living Will provided that a feeding tube and fluids SHOULD ONLY BE DISSCONTINUED IF Mae was comatose or in a vegetative state. She was and is in neither state.
Attempt to rescue Mae on Friday denied by Probate Judge Donald Boyd On Friday, April 1, when A. B. McLeod (brother) and Kenneth Mullinax (nephew) showed up to meet with Carol Todd and to arrange emergency air transport of Mae Magouirk to the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center (One of the top cardiovascular centers in the USA) Hospice LaGrange stalled them while Beth Gaddy went before Troup County Georgia (LaGrange, Ga.) Probate Judge Donald W. Boyd (who DOES NOT hold a law degree) who granted Beth Gaddy emergency guardianship of Mae Magouirk, giving Beth Gaddy full and absolute authority. Thus, they COULD NOT MOVE HER FOR PROACTIVE MEDICAL CARE Friday because Beth Gaddy had Hospice stop them and then she had Mae’s IV fluid tube pulled out. Beth Gaddy has repeatedly told Mr. McLeod, Mrs. Mullinax and Kenneth Mullinax that she feels they all should let Mae not eat and thus cause her to die because, and we quote Beth Gaddy: “Grandmamma is old and I think it is time she went home to Jesus. She has glaucoma, and now this heart problem and who would want to live with disabilities like these?”
As stipulated under Georgia Law, a hearing for an Emergency Guardianship, must be held within 3 days of its request and Mae Magouirk’s hearing was held on this past Monday, April 4, before Troup County Georgia Probate Judge Donald Boyd who favors granting Beth Gaddy permanent guardianship and thus will seal Mae Magouirk’s fate of allowing Beth Gaddy to starve her to death against the wishes of her Living Will and in full knowledge that Mae Magouirk is not terminal, not in a coma and is not in a vegetative state and that medical care at UAB Medical Center is awaiting her. Shiavo revisited!
Mae’s present state and vital signs Mae’s blood pressure is good, averaging 140/82 with a pulse rate of 88. However, since admission to Hospice she has not been lucid but who would be since nourishment and fluids have been denied since March 28, 2005. Also adding to her confusion is that she is off her regular medicines and is on a dose of Adavan and Morphine. Without food or water her electrolytes and body chemistry is not within its proper parameters. If her condition is not given major public attention soon, she will die, not by divine cause but by the omission of assistance by man. WE MUST GET Mae moved to UAB Medical ASAP
Resources: Probate Judge Donald Boyd…Court CASE NUMBER: Estate 138-05 Attorney for saving Mae’s life: Jack Kirby, Kirby & Roberts***
You have heard about them voting right? LOL
No, I haven't heard anything...but I can imagine what you are saying; the inmates in Florida vote, right?
Can't figure out how to work a ballot.
I meant the assylum inmates are the only ones who can figure out how to work a ballot.
Funny!
Wondering if you have seen the latest on ole Georgie ?
He's contacted a talent agency to promote his latest achievement........Murder with court's blessing.
http://www.rothtalent.com/speakers/slist/Felos/
George Felos
Attorney, Right-to-Die Expert & Author
Program Title - The Terri Schiavo Saga: From Family Fight to Constitutional Crisis
Suggest all sent emails, call, write the agency and let them know just how they feel about this individual being able to profit from his involvement in killing Terri Schiavo.
Here is what I just sent them:
Roth Talent Associates
530.792.0162
e-mail
fax: 530.792.0124
803 2nd Street, Suite 2G
Davis, California 95616
Any support to facilitate the ideals of George Felos will result in a substantial, if not total loss for your organization. No one with one ounce of decency will spend hard earned money to purchase anything that devil's advocate produces.
Rest assured, I won't buy anything you produce. I won't watch any televised or movie production that promotes his warped ideologies in support of the right-to-die movement! I won’t purchase a magazine or book support this angel of death!
He has managed through deception to alter the very meaning of our nation's Constitution and Bill-of-Rights and has corrupted the courts, giving license to kill our disabled, mentally challenged and our most precious senior citizens. After they have achieve those goals, will they then go after everyone who doesn't generate an income over $100K/yr!
Terri Schiavo's death was a travesty that should NEVER been permitted to happen in this country. Citizens are outraged and rising up to stop this insanity. George Felos can, for the moment, enjoy his perceived success. It is short-lived and he will soon find himself in the graybar hotel, cleaning house, cooking meals and doing laundry for Bubba. He’ll be in like company with Michael Schiavo and George Greer. They won’t be playing golf and having drinks at the country club.
COMMENT # 2620
FELOS ALERT! FELOS ALERT! FELOS ALERT!
http://www.rothtalent.com/speakers/slist/Felos
# 2626 not # 2620 correction.
I think I'm going to be sick.
Yes, I read it yesterday. Did you notice the use of the word "electrifies?" As in, 'Felos electrifies audiences...'
You couldn't make this stuff up.
http://www.yaf.org/speakers/op-ed/murdock_shiavo.html
It's interesting that Felos is talking about Constitutional rights when the person who was judicially murdered had her rights violated to the extreme. He's nothing but a publicity-seeking phony.
I think anyone who don't know what is going on needs to read this update....the family members in Alabama who have tried to make this a large ordeal for media attention and greed have taken Ms. Magouirk to Alabama and now THE DOCTORS WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY HAVE FOUGHT FOR HER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE LAGRANGE HOSPICE!!!!!!! THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT THEY CAN DO THAT THE HOSPICE WASN'T ALREADY DOING. Her living will does not say that she wanted to be kept alive...that was exaggerated for purposes of trying to justify a fight over Ms. Magourik. She now has fluid and blood building up around her lungs and the doctors can't figure out where or why it is there. She is too weak to be moved back to LaGrange now that she has been put through all of this. Ms. Magouriks' wish was not to be put in a nursing home, that is why her family put her in the hospice, because we all know that nursing homes are not the best place for care. Ms. Magouirk was as happy as she could have been and if she were in a good state of mind she would be very angry at the family in Alabama fortrying to use her for this type of attention. It is ashame the things people do for attention and greed.
I would also like to add that people trying to call and contactthe family involved ought to be ashamed for saying the things and doing the things that they have. They have nearly given the entire family a nervous breakdown. Let me also remind you that Ms. Gaddy has been taking care of Ms. Magouirk, not her nephew or brother. They maybe visited once a year if even that. Also Ms. Magouirks' nephew and brother have been contact Ms. Gaddy and her family making elaborate lies such as,.... someone in their family had a massive heart attack over this...., unfortunatley I have experienced this in my immediate family, my mother died of one, and any doctor will tell you a MASSIVE HEART ATTACK kills you or vegatates you. I just have to say this, get facts not hear say. I would not be so upset if the fact was her family actually had good intentions, but it is strictly over ATTENTION AND GREED. LET MS. MAGOURIK ENJOY THE TIME SHE HAS LEFT WITH HER REAL FAMILY WHO HAS TAKEN CARE OF HER FOR 10 YEARS, TOOK HER FOOD EVER DAY SHE COULDN'T COOK , WHO TOOK HER ANYWHERE SHE NEEDED TO GO, WHO HAVE LOVED HER FROM THE DAY THEY WERE BORN. Is there anything called private family matters anymore? Would you want your dying grandmother and your family put htrough this?? Think about this the next time you try to play the martyr by posting a comment. I ask that anyone who is normal please get the word out so that Ms. Gaddy and her family can get back to normal living. Please pray for Ms. Magouirk and her family and pray for those who are hypocritical.
I just wish people were not so gullable to hear things and believe them at the drop of a pen.....Ms. Gaddy hasn't responded to any of these vicous attacks or any others because not only is she worried about her grandmother and her own family, but she sees no need in trying to justify herself to ignorant people who have nothing better to do than take second hand news and make her out to be the bad guy. Why don't you people who are making total asses out of yourselves listening to every whim of Mr. Mullinex and his family who are just after publicity and anything that Ms. Magouirk will leave behind.
Since when is the good guy the one doing evil , hateful, and vindictive acts- and the bad guy is the one who could have anyone in their town vouch on how innocent, thoughtful, kind, and giving they are....revauluate your morals people and look at the situation- THIS IS NOT TERRI SCHIAVO...THIS IS AN 80+ YEAR OLD WOMAN JUST GOING THROUGH A NATURAL STATE OF LIFE THAT IS NOT SO PRETTY CALLED DEATH. YOU WILL GO THROUGH IT TOO, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS.
Well, I see we've had a guest visit from Beth Gaddy or her understudy.
Unfortunately, the number of factual and grammatical errors in this essay make a reasoned response too tiring to contemplate. I now understand why Gaddy has studiously avoided the spotlight. This glimpse into the mind of a whining, weak, cornered rat is not at all flattering or persuasive.
REPLY FROM Kenneth Mullinax:
In her letter which promotes de facto starvation she states a few items which I must respond to:
Mae never wanted to be put in a nursing home so they put her in a hospice where she would receive better care.
Guys, is my reasoning skewed or does this make no sense at all. Why, if they knew Mae DID NOT want to be in a nursing home did they PUT HER in a Hospice? A Hospice, regardless of the caliber of the furnishings, is a much worse place for a sick person, especially one that denies helping you consume the proper nutrition and fluids which is required to sustain life.
She infers that my Mom's heart condition was spurious?
That type of sick lie is just why I have fought so zealously over this issue. Many of you called my Mom while she was in the UAB hospital...Wiley Drake and Sarah Foster specifically...Mom began in CICU and was released last evening, one day later than expected. Anyone who doubts Mom's serious heart condition should come over and help me carry her to and from her bed at home today and administer her the 20 or so medications she takes daily for her heart and related conditions...yet, unless she stands, she is in no pain. Mom is happy to be alive and look at the garden/talk back to the news channel/drink coffee (de-caf) and read her books,
Fluid buildup...docs can't figure out where/why?
Mae had a fluid buildup Sunday/Monday which was totally alievated..it was in her lungs and was because she was so dehydrated by her loving grandchild Beth.
LIES?
I wish this coward would sign their post and we would let a court of jurisdiction decide who is a liar and who has committed slander/liable.
"Would you want your dying family grandmother to be put through this?"
Yes, if my grandmother was being starved/dehydrated to death I would want her in a real hospital. If these loving people had put Mae in UAB on March 22 rather than Hospice LaGrange she would be in much better shape today. I pray it is not too late. However, let me die with a full stomach and without a raging thirst anyday!
Anyone in town will vouch how kind they all are.
Well yes, BEFORE she put her grandmother in this cruel and degrading situation. I bet they wonder now about this Jeckel/Hyde personality. Heydrich was a loving and attendant father/even Adolf was known for being kind to Blondi his dog...but that is about as relevant as Beth being well thought of BEFORE this occurred. Poooh!
Mullinax and his family are after publicity and anything Mae will leave behind.
Publicity...no thanks, not this kind. I have no desire to tell the world I have a harebrained cousin who is sweet as chocolate to everyone and in every situation except when it comes to feeding her very ill grandma. Yep, I want the world to know that within our gene pool is a person who can be as cold as a reptile and can cut off all emotions when it comes to allowing someone we love to a slow and horrid death.
Anything Mae leaves behind.....? WE gave up any financial control just so Beth would allow the doctors to examine Mae in the hope we could get her to UAB. Beth and her two siblings are the SOLE BENEFACTORS of Mae's estate...they stand to gain everything...ALL OF US IN THE ALABAMA FAMILY have been blessed with assets, thank you. I was in the same situation Beth was in October, 2002 when Mom had her first heart episode. I said insert feeding tube/IV and I sat beside her bed for two months until she came back to us...sure, we all could have given up but I knew these McLeod girls live a long life and I was willing to invest my resources/time into seeing her well. Too bad Beth did not inherit the empathy genes which the rest of us possess.
All my family has gotten out the situation with Mae are huge legal bills which we will pay ourselves. THAT IS CALLED UNCONDITIONAL LOVE...SOMETHING WHICH THAT CREEP FROM GA who wrote the attached colloquy WILL NEVER, EVER, ever UNDERSTAND!!!
Ken/nephew of Mae
Dear LaGrangeResident,
Me, Me, Me, Me, Me.
I am sensing a pattern in your post.
You misunderstand we Freepers. For us it is not about Me, Me, Me, Me, Me.
For us it is about Food and Hydration. We believe that every person on earth, deserves Food and Hydration, even if admistered through a feeding tube. We consider Food and Hydration to be Ordinary Care, and all people are entitled to Ordinary Care.
We are not much interested in, we vs them, Alabama vs. Georgia. We will go along with whatever faction of the family of a disabled person, promises to provide Food and Hydration.
Starving and dehydrating a person to death is not a "private" family matter. It is a matter for all of society, and thank the Lord that there are enough willing Freepers to stop Forced Euthanasia when they find it.
Good luck to you and your family, but most of all Good Luck to Mrs. Mae Magouirk, we all pray for her health.
Thanks for posting the reply from Ken Mullinax. I still wake up in the middle of the night thinking of Terri and Miss Mae. I just can't get it out of my mind how one was denied that her teeth be cleaned and lost five teeth as a result, and how an 81 year old woman was denied eye-drops for glaucoma, a very painful condition. Amongst everything else these women suffered as a result of being placed in hospice, one for a very long time, the other for only a matter of weeks before her rescue, these two things stand out and haunt me. They will haunt me for the rest of my life.
"...THIS IS NOT TERRI SCHIAVO...THIS IS AN 80+ YEAR OLD WOMAN JUST GOING THROUGH A NATURAL STATE OF LIFE THAT IS NOT SO PRETTY CALLED DEATH. YOU WILL GO THROUGH IT TOO, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS."
I can't buckdance, she said.
"Dear LaGrangeResident,
Me, Me, Me, Me, Me.
I am sensing a pattern in your post.
You misunderstand we Freepers. For us it is not about Me, Me, Me, Me, Me.
For us it is about Food and Hydration. We believe that every person on earth, deserves Food and Hydration, even if admistered through a feeding tube. We consider Food and Hydration to be Ordinary Care, and all people are entitled to Ordinary Care.
We are not much interested in, we vs them, Alabama vs. Georgia. We will go along with whatever faction of the family of a disabled person, promises to provide Food and Hydration.
Starving and dehydrating a person to death is not a "private" family matter. It is a matter for all of society, and thank the Lord that there are enough willing Freepers to stop Forced Euthanasia when they find it.
Good luck to you and your family, but most of all Good Luck to Mrs. Mae Magouirk, we all pray for her health."
VERY excellently said.
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