Jahi McMath is Taken off Life Support Discussion

[BetteDavisEyes]

Jahi McMath, California teen at center of brain-death debate, has died - CNN

 

[watcher9]

...Christopher Dolan, who has worked pro bono for the family since 2013, said the state of New Jersey is issuing a death certificate with all of that information. It includes the new time and date of Jahi’s death...
To him, the second death certificate proves that the original death certificate from California should be annulled...

The family kept the news secret last week out of a desire to mourn and reflect, he added...

He noted, further, that the legal fight over Jahi’s civil rights and humanity is not over. “I’m still going to ask the federal court to void the California death certificate and restore her citizenship,” Dolan said.

Family says Jahi McMath, on life support since being declared brain-dead in 2013, has died

 

[YESorNO]

Case of Jahi McMath, girl declared brain-dead, raises judicial issues

Case of Jahi McMath, girl declared brain-dead, raises judicial issues
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Jahi McMath death could have costly implications in civil case against hospital, doctors

"OAKLAND — Jahi McMath’s tragic saga came to an end last week, but the legal battle between her family and the hospital they claim was responsible for her brain damage grew even more heated after her lawyers announced the Oakland teen had been removed from the machines that kept her breathing for nearly five years.

The decision could cost the family millions of dollars in their medical malpractice suit against UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and some doctors, experts say, because the cost of future medical care is a major factor in determining damages...."

Jahi McMath death could cost family millions in legal fight
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[gregjrichards]

This is such a tragic case. Rest In Peace Jahi.

 

[Tssiemer]

This is such a tragic case. Rest In Peace Jahi.

I think she finally can.

 

[tricia]

The debate is whether she was alive in the first place.

I remember the family released a picture of her hand or hands? Anyway, the tips looked darker. That is a sign of decay.

IMO this sweet child died in the hospital years ago and they were able to keep her heart and blood pumping by machines to give the appearance of some sort of life.

It was suggested Jahi would have actually started to decay and she may have because the family controlled the pictures that were released. Had she actually been kept alive, alive as in the medical sense, don't you think we would have seen videos and full body pictures.

Was there a video of Jahi moving her fingers in response to verbal commands? If so I would really like to see it.

This was tragic all around but you know what? I understand Jahi's mom doing anything to cling to the hope her child is alive. Whose to say what you and I would do in this situation. We think we know what we would do but until, and dear God above I do not want to know the answer, we are in the same situation we can't say for certain.

 

[MsFacetious]

Children’s Hospital Oakland pushed to have all life-sustaining medical treatment terminated; the professionals predicted quick deterioration.

But Jahi’s mother (a professional nurse), Latasha “Nailah” Winkfield, refused to give up on her child. California declared Jahi legally brain dead, so with the Schiavo Foundation’s help, Winkfield moved with her daughter to a long-term care facility in New Jersey.

Medical ethics writer Wesley Smith visited Jahi last fall and reported: “At the time of the tragedy, I believed … that Jahi was, indeed, dead. But I now have strong doubts.

It’s nearly four years later, and Jahi’s body still has not broken down. Her skin remains smooth. There are no foul odors in her room as would be expected when a brain-dead person’s body deteriorates. She has experienced no visible bodily decline… Disabled is not dead.”

Think Alfie Evans would never happen in America? Think again - Yellowhammer News

 

[tricia]

"It’s nearly four years later, and Jahi’s body still has not broken down. Her skin remains smooth. There are no foul odors in her room as would be expected when a brain-dead person’s body deteriorates. She has experienced no visible bodily decline… Disabled is not dead.”

Now the question is can you keep a body from decaying by using machines? Did Jahi have any brain activity?
The fact that the parents did not release any sort of substantial evidence is what is bothering me.

I am assuming they will do an autopsy. If so perhaps that could help shed light on whether Jahi was dead or disabled.

 

[Jennifer17]

As long as oxygen is going into the lungs which keeps blood circulating, with proper care, the body tissue will not break down. Especially in a child whose treatment started when the skin is in good condition, unlike an elderly person.

 

[watcher9]

Thanks for getting the thread open for discussion.

I can't imagine how this would go down if they still plan on bringing this all to court.

From the above links, the circumstances of her "new" death may come into play.
If she was already dead, how could she have had surgery to treat an intestinal issue? It would be interesting to read the surgeon's report on how he operated on a dead patient. Or, would the HIPAA laws apply?

Did the family keep authorities at bay for a week? There may just be inconsistencies in the reporting, such as -
Family says Jahi McMath, on life support since being declared brain-dead in 2013, has died
Jahi’s mother, Nailah Winkfield, was at her daughter’s bedside when she died in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, according to Dolan. The family kept the news secret last week out of a desire to mourn and reflect, he added.
and
Case of Jahi McMath, girl declared brain-dead, raises judicial issues
Christopher Dolan, a lawyer for the family, said Jahi finally died of bleeding because of liver failure and a brain injury at a hospital in New Brunswick on June 22, with her mother, Nailah Winkfield, and stepfather, Marvin Winkfield, at her side.
vs
Jahi McMath, California teen at center of brain-death debate, has died - CNN
She died at home surrounded by her mother, Nailah Winkfield, stepfather Marvin Winkfield and sister, according to the statement.

 

[Jax49]

"Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should."

moo

 

[flourish]

Heartbreaking all around. Taking my sweet toddler off life support was one of the most devastating choices I've ever had to make. There is no joy in this story and I only hope everyone is now able to find some semblance of peace.

 

[Truth Prevails]

This is so tragic--from a routine tonsillectomy to somehow winding up on life support. I think it's one of those endless debates where both sides are right.

 

[katydid23]

Jahi’s mother, Nailah Winkfield, was at her daughter’s bedside when she died in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, according to Dolan. The family kept the news secret last week out of a desire to mourn and reflect, he added.

“This has been crushing for Nailah and Marvin,” he told The Chronicle Thursday evening, referring to Jahi’s mother and stepfather. “They’ve been living in exile in New Jersey because the state of California refused to acknowledge that Jahi was not dead. And the court case was taking years to prove....
Family says Jahi McMath, on life support since being declared brain-dead in 2013, has died

It is interesting that she 'died' in a hospital. How did they get her admitted to a hospital? Is it true that a surgeon performed surgery on her? It will be fascinating to hear how all of that was worked out.

In the end, I am relieved for Sweet Jahi and her family. It was time...

 

[Amonet]

To my eyes the foot moving video looks more like a reflex action than a voluntary action.

Either way I have a lot of sympathy for Jahi's family.

RIP Jahi

 

[Tssiemer]

This is so tragic--from a routine tonsillectomy to somehow winding up on life support. I think it's one of those endless debates where both sides are right.

I’m not picking on you but I don’t think “right” and “wrong” are the correct terms. I don’t know what the terms should be but how is it “right” to let a child die OR make her live on machines? You know?
Morally right?
Legally right?
Spiritually right?
Ethically right?
Etc.

I guess I don’t really know what the argument is either. I mean I know the argument is when is a person considered dead but I mean the “right/wrong” argument.

 

[Jax49]

Just a reminder, her surgery was not a routine tonsillectomy.

Jahi underwent what the Oakland hospital called a “complicated” surgery, involving not just a tonsillectomy but the removal of other throat and nose tissue to treat the 13-year-old’s severe sleep apnea.

 

[Jennifer17]

Just a reminder, her surgery was not a routine tonsillectomy.

Jahi underwent what the Oakland hospital called a “complicated” surgery, involving not just a tonsillectomy but the removal of other throat and nose tissue to treat the 13-year-old’s severe sleep apnea.

I think that means adenoids.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Jahi "passed away" on June 22. Why did it take a week to release news of her death?

 

[Tssiemer]

Jahi "passed away" on June 22. Why did it take a week to release news of her death?

Her family wanted time to mourn.

I guess my question is why are they accepting “this” death?