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***
This is the pastor's whole statement.
Thanks for the email. I learned of this matter a couple of hours ago and made a call to the head of the [omitted] who handles political and moral issues. Having spent most of the entire day yesterday investigating the matter, the [omitted] told me that the story is untrue. There is supposed to be a press conference at 4:00pm today to help clarify the misinformation. The editor of the local paper also will be reporting that the WND article lacks veracity. The details are many, but in short, the grandmother is not being denied anything, but refuses herself to eat (there never was a feeding tube). POA arrangements were made while the court was on break by the family among themselves. The judge was not in the room when the family agreed among themselves to give custody to the granddaughter.
http://straightupwsherri.blogspot.com/2005/04/back-on-free-audio-of-interview-with.html#comments
This is where the info came from. You can e-mail the gentleman who obtained the statement and get the unedited version from him.
Boy, you have got that right.
I finally figured this out some years ago. I wondered "Now why is it that the vast majority of the MSM, college Profs, etc, are libs?"
It puzzled me for years until it dawned on me - it was while I was doing investigative reporting for a statewide paper. I found that even thought the stories I did were true and even tho' I made it a rule to talk to both sides of any issue...I didn't like printing anything that hurt anyone, even if guilty.
I went back to editing and writing Home & Family stuff and writing my nostalgia column - positive stuff.
And it dawned on me the MSM was top heavy with libs because libs don't mind stepping on toes or minding other peoples business - indeed, they think they should running everyones business. On the other hand, we conservatives were content to live our lives and let others live theirs.
This, however, gives them the upper hand. They yell the loudest, They get heard.
And so you are totally right: "We have been pushed into a corner for too long. We are starting to PUSH back. And the opposition DOES NOT LIKE IT",
We can only beat them by their own game - fire with fire. Have you noticed how it confuses them?
We did the first summer of the war. The flotsam and jetsam would rally down town for protesting and shouting, burning flags, etc.
So we started our own rallies at the same time - with flags and signs and songs blasting like "Glad to be An American..." - and supporters in traffic would toot for us....the rats couldn't take it. They were totally taken aback and after 2 times, never showed up again.
LOL!!
Why was he not the judge?
YOu are rather amusing..
Please keep going... like I said-- I would ccertainly believe HIM over the judge- the family and the Hospice...
I mean c'mon-- since Kenneth was a Congressional Aid for a DEMOCRAT-- he must be suspect and his Aunt Mae should be refused the chance for medical care- and the Laws of GA should be ignored, and so shouls Mea's Living Will, right?
See-- I will FIGHT FOR ALL LIFE! REPUB-- DEM--LIB--GREEN PARTY--YOU NAME IT-- EVEN YOURS!
If I am a fool-- SO BE IT! Rather be a fool with a woman alive than a fool for doubting her nephew to death.
Maybe I should change my nic to Foolish eeevil conservative...
Man, am I glad I'm an Australian, an old lady has been moved from a hospice where we have learned through the sad experience of Terri people are 'expected' to die - to a hospital where she will receive the treatment she requires - and someone who joined FR on April 9 is telling us (THE HORROR) the relative who brought this into the open might be a DEMOCRAT!
What more proof do you require that this issue surpasses politics?
are you still on that??
I talked to the judge!
YES-- THE FAMILY CAME TO aN AGREEMENT!
Yes they did!
But then- the dern doctors didn't get their crap together!
That was decided on MONDAY!
What are we supposed to do? what was Ken supposed to do?
He waited until WEDNESDAY to get the word out!
That was all reported here!
Wherre have you been??
Plus-- the judge should have acted on the Living WIll-- once in HIS COURT-- HE IS THE ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE ACTED.
Now you are just boring me.
This is irrefutable, mathematic fact.
Nonsense. There are societies that have existed apart from each other for over 1,000 years. The members of such societies would have no common ancenstors within the previous 33 generations.
However, I may not have a different point of view than you regarding this issue. I did not put a pro-life spin on my post. What I am worried about is the long term ramifications of these rulings. We can debate life or death situations and that is fine but the Fed has stepped in and dictated a line for us all. I am speaking about the judiciary.
I would not insult you my friend. When we have arguments here in FR both sides are trying to come to the truth. That is the true purpose of debate, don't you think?
Thanks for the reply man!
Arioch7 out.
sounds like , in his/her post regarding info - that there's going to be a lot of butt covering in LaGrange.
If the Hospice admitted her as 'terminal" (which is what hospices are for - and if not terminal, they are not legally admitted...plus they evidently took the granddaughters word that she had medical POA, without verifying,)
- the newspaper may be pressured to cool things down so's the town doesn't take a hit...etc., All in all, it would seem the judge in this case was not a 'greer' - even tho he may have granted temp. guardianship - he added a stipulated order that she was to receive food, water and needed medical care (Hospices are not equipped to give the heart care Mae needs - since you are there to be eased in your dying process. And the judge would not have had reason to add this stipulation if she WAS being given food, water, etc - he had to order it. So I think the judge may be a good guy and in the clear
got that right, mate.
crosses all lines: political, religious, racial
Did she "refuse" her eyedrops and deliberately become blind, as well?
"Hospice" is a joke.
33 generations go back more than 1000 yrs. Just where did those society members come from - their ancestors were who?
Just ONE pair of common ancestors, out of countless thousands, would result in millions of descendants by now...as the numbers more than double each generation coming back this way.
I have lines traced back well over a thousand years -
You know
I talked to him-- and he was VERY NICE!
We laughed, I told him I was real nerd-- LOL!
He talked to me about his daughter-- etc..
I think he could have made better decisions- but there is NO DOUBT THAT HE IS NO JUDGE GREER!
NO WAY!
Terri's case was so different than most. It is a shame that when we take up a cause for someone and we express that a judge or family is wrong- then automatically we are accused of trying to paint them as a Greer or Felos or Michael Schiavo..
Mind you-- some will. Some will do that. There are NUTZ on both sides- no doubt!
I think the REAL tragedy- other than a family at odds- is that these doctors didn't act. I am sure the HEAT to all the others rolled onto them. I sure hope so. The judge even ruled that these doctors were supposed to figure this out in 24 hours!
I also have to say-- this is NOT a party issue. NOT AT ALL!
It is nice to see people be able to come together on something for once. VERY NICE!
I am not going to say I think the judge is not a smooth talker-- I think he is. But I will be honest-- He was very nice. He talked to me the minute I called. No wait-- was very nice and forthcoming-- the Hopsice was another story.. the woman I talked to was SCARED.
Just glad that Mae has a chance. Think about it-- SHE got OUT of HOSPICE-- ALIVE!
HOW COOL!
Thanks for the music and ping!
What I am telling you is that there was no controversy to begin with. Mae was never in danger of starving to begin with. Ken is using you to make political hay.
I believe he is exploiting your beliefs. I'm telling you something in this story stinks and I'm not the only one who believes that.
http://www.hospicepatients.org/terri-schiavo-10-12-02-press-rel.html
(snip)
Hospice Patients Alliance Blasts Hospice Agencies
That Terrorize the Chronically Disabled
by Ron Panzer, President HPA
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - October 15, 2002 - Terri Schiavo currently is being held in a Pinellas County Florida hospice that is not licensed to provide care for the chronically ill. Terri Schiavo is a non-terminal disabled patient with brain damage. Terri's own treating physician, Dr. Vincent Gambone, testified before the court,saying "her condition is one that there is no recovery. The damage that is done to the brain is not repairable."1 However, the chronically disabled are by definition not going to recover completely. These are not terminal patients, and the disabled can live many years so long as they are not intentionally killed.
Read More...
I will FIGHT FOR ALL LIFE! REPUB-- DEM--LIB--GREEN PARTY--YOU NAME IT-- EVEN YOURS!
I second that motion! AMEN
But I bet there's some lawyers with hefty retainers right now in LaGrange! The Hospice is right to be 'scared"
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