Posted on 08/11/2004 2:49:06 PM PDT by Calpernia
STUART, Fla. -- A dramatic rescue ended tragically in Stuart, Florida, a rescue so difficult firefighters say they have never seen anything like it.
It happened late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning at the home of a 600-pound woman who was having trouble breathing. Rescuers went in not knowing how difficult it would be to get her out. 40-year-old Gail Grinds was literally stuck to her couch and had to be removed surgically at the hospital.
Authorities estimate she had been on the couch anywhere from two to five years.
Martin County Fire amd Rescue crews faced what seemed to be an impossible mission. Everyone going inside had to wear protective gear. The stench was so powerful they had to blast in fresh air.
They tried to cut out the front door, but at four-and-a-half feet wide, it wouldn't work. They had to cut plywood since a normal stretcher wouldn't do.
An ambulance was too small, so they brought in a trailer to get her out. While rescue crews came up with a back-door rescue plan, detectives secured what had become a crime scene, questioning family members about how it got so bad.
Using planks, they loaded the woman on to the trailer, still attached to the couch. Removing her would be too painful, since her body is grafted to the fabric. After years of staying put, her skin has literally become one with the sofa and it must be surgically removed.
Detectives are investigating whether they have a case of neglect, or if it is simply a very sad story.
Grinds was taken to the Martin Memorial hospital where doctors removed her from the couch, but she died in spite of all the attempts to save her life.
>>>Did she just crap on herself?
'fraid so.
I don't think there is any correct way to determine it, as bothe appear to have been inanimate objects...
I wonder if the relatives had not been willig to collude with her if the outcome would have been different. This woman belonged locked up in a hospital on a diet. Scary thought. I tried to put my cat on a diet and he got damn scary. I was afraid he would eat my eyeballs if I fell asleep. But relatives had to help her get this way.
Just because they drop off food, doesn't mean they forced her to eat it all.
Agreed.
I always know that it is time to start losing weight and getting some exercise when my skin starts growing into the couch.
As an EMT, I can assure you this happens. I have seen stuff like this, not quite as bad, but close.
Her name wasn't patty was it? as in...
Fatty Patty, two by four,
Was so fat she couldn't fit through the bathroom door,
So she did it on the floor.
What do you suppose was gluing her to the couch?
Yup, and now some poor slob is gonna be a scapegoat for this woman's own personal issues...
You know, I've seen a lot of bizarre stories posted at FR over the years, but this is bizarre hall of fame material.
All of a sudden at 145 I feel like Twiggy myself! But I gotta admit, I am tempted to awaken my sleeping teenage daughter who is alseep on the couch right now and show her this :)
It is bizarre, I'll grant you that. One question I have though - will workman's comp cover the EMTs and/or policemen who pulled muscles or suffered hernia issues from having to carry her outta there?
Can't tell you that, but I think we're all in agreement that it's a blessing no photos accompanied this story.
This is so very sad and tragic. May she rest in peace. I'm kind of glad she's out of this world. Her life here was a living hell.
There is one small photo if you go to the link...
GET OUT!!
Bush knew!
Only in America.. No other country with so many morbidly obese welfare cases.
It's Bush's fault!
Unbelievable!
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