Family wants to keep life support for girl brain dead after tonsil surgery #9

[Karmady]

http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/...e-c-reems-graduation-ceremonies-in-oakland/#5

About 15 photos beginning here:
http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/...e-c-reems-graduation-ceremonies-in-oakland/#1

Wow, they did a seriously bad job of that -- particularly for a school. "This is to certify that Jahi McMath Ernestine C. Reems Academy recognize . . ." ???

 

[katydid23]

Wow, they did a seriously bad job of that -- particularly for a school. "This is to certify that Jahi McMath Ernestine C. Reems Academy recognize . . ." ???

How surprising---not

 

[K_Z]

The certificate is very carefully worded, IMO.

I think it's interesting to observe the body language and facial expressions of the other spectators in the audience. They don't look overwhelmingly happy or supportive, IMO.

http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/...-c-reems-graduation-ceremonies-in-oakland/#15

And again, they had to make a scene with the t-shirts and all. They couldn't have just dressed up nicely and participated in a dignified fashion? They HAD to make a "statement" with their t-shirts, etc. Again, what about the 5th grader in the family who was graduating, too?

I just really don't agree with how they went about this publicity stunt, and then bragging about coercing the school admin. No wonder the certificate is worded so carefully-- she was "a member of the school community" and "into 8th grade", etc. And the certificate is awarded to the family-- not to Jahi McMath.

IMO, there was a LOT of discussion by the admins of the school about how to "word" the certificate.

 

[wendiesan]

http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/...e-c-reems-graduation-ceremonies-in-oakland/#5

About 15 photos beginning here:
http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/...e-c-reems-graduation-ceremonies-in-oakland/#1

When I browsed through the photographs posted by Quester, it seemed obvious to me that this was a photo-op and money-raising-op and attention grab for the family. Instead of showing up dressed as they did for the awards ceremony, NW, and her husband wore tee shirts asking people to pray for Jahi. It seemed that the family had done just what people who had complained to the school were afraid of. They had taken over the graduation ceremony to the point where, instead of dressing up to celebrate the efforts and hard work of the Grade 8 students who actually had completed the requirements to move on to high school, many children and adults could be seen wearing Jahi's favourite colour purple, or Jahi tee shirts, or holding purple balloons. Whatever else they may be, the family is a PR manipulative machine. This was an opportunity to once again have their photos and their story and their tears and their smiles and their claims back in the public eye, and for all the captive audience there to applaud NW. It was a chance for NW to be a celebrity again and pose for photos, proving her status within that community.

E.C.Reems Academy of Technology and Arts in Oakland had already gained attention for having the children enrolled there try to pray Jahi back to life in January under the guidance of chief operating officer Lisa Blair who, in January, said the chlldren

… believe that if you continue praying, there’s always a possibility. The students understand the debate. They’re just choosing spirituality over science.”

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/loca...-Academy-Friends-Believe-Alive-239629891.html

There was a backlash and requests for an inquiry into the school's operation. It wasn't surprising then, to learn that:

The tech charter school, whose phones and email systems didn’t appear to be working, was denied renewal of its charter last month.

http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/06/11/family-of-jahi-mcmath-lobbies-for-her-diploma/

 

[K_Z]

Regarding EC Reems Academy-- video discusses declining enrollment and suboptimal academic scores. Sounds as if it may close within a year.

The five year charter for Ernestine C Reems Academy in East Oakland will soon expire and the chances for renewal are slim.

http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/oakland-ernestine-c-reems-academy-could-lose/vCcJsd/

The report cites declining enrollment, outstanding debts to the Oakland School District, and lower academic scores than nearby schools.

“So many of the students come to us from schools where they’re anywhere from two to four years behind grade point average,” said Blair.

The recommendation of the report to board members is to deny a new charter for EC Reems which would result in its closure in about a year.

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/long-time-oakland-charter-school-faces-closure/nf8Jy/

 

[pukasonqo2]

well, what is next, high school graduation, prom, university?

personally i think someone is going to have to say no to this family, so far they have managed to get everything they wanted which they claim they are doing "for jahi", who remains, in spite of her enormous progress (as per family) invisible.

i understand doing everything for your child (i have 2) but it seems that this family is doing things not for jahi but for themselves. jahi has become means to an end



lupus est homini , non , non quom qualis sit novit

 

[Donjeta]

OK well but if they teach in that school that the reason dead people haven't woken up yet is because little kids didn't pray hard enough for them yet I don't wonder that the students are doing badly. Some critical thinking is beneficial for educators.

 

[momrids6]

When I browsed through the photographs posted by Quester, it seemed obvious to me that this was a photo-op and money-raising-op and attention grab for the family. Instead of showing up dressed as they did for the awards ceremony, NW, and her husband wore tee shirts asking people to pray for Jahi. It seemed that the family had done just what people who had complained to the school were afraid of.

Totally agree.
Um- what about the sibling who was getting a 5th grade certificate? What was worn for them? :banghead:

 

[Donjeta]

Sealey said that he thinks the media attention had an effect on the school’s decision, particularly because the school is in danger of closing — its petition to have its charter renewed was denied by the Oakland school board late last month:

“If you don’t want a bunch of cameras and a bunch of activity, just give her an honorary diploma.”

More at SFBay: http://sfbay.ca/2014/06/12/jahi-mcmath-to-receive-8th-grade-diploma/#ixzz34b9p3P4v

Why do they want a honorary diploma on those terms? I think I would be happier with a honorary diploma that was given to my late family member because the school wanted to honor him or her than a diploma that was given to my late family member because otherwise I'll be trouble.

 

[sherbetjello]

These poor children that have gone through this year like this, with the hope that their friend is going to wake up, grab her certificate and then meet them in middle school . . . is mental abuse, has to be.

It's something other than healthy, that's a fact!

For the McMath family to take their own family down this path is one thing, but to bring a school to it's knees that involves other's children, that's another.

I cannot believe we are still her discussing these same behaviors from the family.
And poor little Jahi and her body.

Just all so sad.

Jahi’s uncle, Omari Sealey, said today that the school initially was hesitant to give Jahi a diploma, but after he alerted news outlets to the family’s conflict with the school, school officials decided to give her the diploma.

http://sfbay.ca/2014/06/12/jahi-mcmath-to-receive-8th-grade-diploma/#ixzz34b9p3P4v

They only care about themselves. Not the hospital staff, or patient family members, or a school, or students and parents. Just themselves.

 

[katydid23]

More at SFBay: http://sfbay.ca/2014/06/12/jahi-mcmath-to-receive-8th-grade-diploma/#ixzz34b9p3P4v

Why do they want a honorary diploma on those terms? I think I would be happier with a honorary diploma that was given to my late family member because the school wanted to honor him or her than a diploma that was given to my late family member because otherwise I'll be trouble.

Because it is not about Jahi and honoring her. It is all about photo opps and fund raising, imo. :moo:

 

[Melanie]

It certainly is. I'm speechless.

As I understand it, she will receive an honorary diploma, and it will be received by her, by a family member (which makes no sense - since it will not be received by her).

In this article it states Jahi is on machines. Yet the family says otherwise. I kinda doubt the only thing Jahi is on is a feeding tube.

Sealey said a family member will accept the diploma from the East Oakland school on behalf of Jahi, who remains on machines at an undisclosed facility nearly six months after she was declared brain-dead.

Source: http://www.contracostatimes.com/new...-jahi-mcmath-getting-diploma-8th-grade-family

MOO

Mel

 

[Melanie]

The certificate is very carefully worded, IMO.

I think it's interesting to observe the body language and facial expressions of the other spectators in the audience. They don't look overwhelmingly happy or supportive, IMO.

http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/...-c-reems-graduation-ceremonies-in-oakland/#15

And again, they had to make a scene with the t-shirts and all. They couldn't have just dressed up nicely and participated in a dignified fashion? They HAD to make a "statement" with their t-shirts, etc. Again, what about the 5th grader in the family who was graduating, too?

I just really don't agree with how they went about this publicity stunt, and then bragging about coercing the school admin. No wonder the certificate is worded so carefully-- she was "a member of the school community" and "into 8th grade", etc. And the certificate is awarded to the family-- not to Jahi McMath.

IMO, there was a LOT of discussion by the admins of the school about how to "word" the certificate.

Oh boy, I don't want to sound insensitive, but I believe their behaviour certainly took away from the students receiving their diploma for a hard years work. All the attention seemed to be put on the family, and many in the audience didn't look so happy. Why did they have to make such a spectacle? Those cross earrings - seriously? Crying on stage, etc. I am almost embarrassed for them.

Again, I don't mean to offend -- but this could have been handled in a more appropriate manner.

MOO

Mel

 

[Melanie]

OMG! File for Disability! Could they do that? Would they do that? :thud:

If they do, the Dr's will want to see her firsthand. I recently filed for disability for diabetic neuropathy (can't feel my feet or hands) and I had to go to the office twice. 1 for a physical and 2 for a mental exam (because I take anxiety and anti D's).

Children under 18 can qualify if he or she meet SS's definition of disability for children, and if they meet the income eligibility limits.

With all the donations, she probably wouldn't qualify though (the max is $1,070 a month in 2014).

MOO

Mel

 

[CarolinaMoon]

I appreciated the wording on the certificate of attendance. Just the facts and awarded to the family, not Jahi. I resent MSM who report it was a diploma: it wasn't.

I looked at the pictures and winced. This was a day for the 8th graders (as well as the 5th graders). The family took over the ceremony in such a way that showed no respect for the children or their proud families. It was their special day.

 

[Elphaba]

I think that was a proper and honorable way to deal with Jahi's time at the school. If the school had presented an actual diploma certifying that she had passed the 8th grade, without her actually meeting the state requirements, they would have been crossing a legal boundary with the state. They have already had complaints filed against them over the religious rally they held for Jahi… heaven knows, promoting her without her actually earning the right to be promoted would have spawned more complaints, and rightfully so.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I no longer have compassion for this family. Their continuous attention-seeking antics are troublesome.

Congratulations to the 5th and 8th grade students of Ernestine C. Reems Academy for their accomplishments and achievements. :clap:

 

[K_Z]

I think that was a proper and honorable way to deal with Jahi's time at the school. If the school had presented an actual diploma certifying that she had passed the 8th grade, without her actually meeting the state requirements, they would have been crossing a legal boundary with the state. They have already had complaints filed against them over the religious rally they held for Jahi… heaven knows, promoting her without her actually earning the right to be promoted would have spawned more complaints, and rightfully so.

BBM.

I agree that the certificate of attendance was really the only legal and correct way to handle the situation, as well as declaring the certificate to be "Honorary"-- what has a certain well-understood meaning (although perhaps not understood by the media, or the McMath family members).

I'm sure there was discussion about "certificate" versus "diploma", and "attendance" versus "graduation". I also think it was correct to distinguish that it was presented to Jahi's parents, and not to Jahi, who is legally deceased.

I think no one would have had any angst or grief about doing some kind of remembrance for the student, Jahi, especially if the suggestion for memorializing her came from students or school staff.

Where I think most folks have serious irritation and disapproval is that the family DEMANDED that the school give her a diploma and recognize her, and then the vile and offensive uncle BRAGGED on social media that they DID threaten the school officials with disrupting the ceremony if they did not acquiesce to their demands. That sounds like more than grief or selfishness or entitlement-- IMO, it crosses over into extortion. More than just an attention grab, IMO.

They wanted to control this school ceremony for their purposes, and they TOOK that from the people whose right it was to plan and carry out the ceremony. They TOOK the tone and purpose of the ceremony and celebration from everyone else that had a right to be there, by the "rally" they conducted with their t-shirts and attention-seeking behavior, IMO.

And from the looks of the media pictures, they, in fact, DID ursurp the proper focus and tone of the ceremony from the other children and families. Just exactly like they did when they were behaving so inappropriately during Jahi's hospitalization in the PACU and ICU, IMO.

People give grieving families wide latitude. But this family pushes and pushes, and demands, and extorts, and stomps on the rights of others to such a degree that is not only shocking, but disgusting, IMO.

 

[K_Z]

OMG! File for Disability! Could they do that? Would they do that? :thud:

I wouldn't put it past them to "try". But this is another reason it was wise to issue the death certificate. The request would be immediately turned down or dismissed, IMO.

I'm not sure legally, but it seems like the family would have to file suit against the government for some kind of discrimination against the dead, if they then wanted to pursue payments.

That could make a big media splash (which the family adores, and seems to need regularly), but ultimately, I think it wouldn't go anywhere. Other dead people don't get disability payments (so no discrimination). And, it would be a very hard thing to prove she was declared dead inappropriately, or with some kind of discrimination or malice that other dead people don't receive.

It is sort of an interesting thought experiment, though. :facepalm:

OOoooo-- unless she is in New Jersey! Then it could get interesting, lol! But since she's already been declared dead in CA, she would have to be declared "un-dead" in New Jersey! Yet another interesting thought experiment.

"Disability for the Un-Dead!" "Rights for the Un-Dead!"

Maybe the uncle and the attorney can start a "Center for Justice for the Un-Dead".

 

[Elainera]

People give grieving families wide latitude. But this family pushes and pushes, and demands, and extorts, and stomps on the rights of others to such a degree that is not only shocking, but disgusting, IMO.

(rsbm)

I predict the wide latitude will quickly wane once Jahi's heart stops beating. Too long this family has, as you put it so eloquently, pushed and pushed demanded and extorted. For now people will not show it but in reality many are annoyed and repulsed. This will all come to a boil once she is laid to rest and the whole circus is over.