In Jahi McMath saga, science and religion clash

[cbayer]

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-0104-banks-jahi-mcmath-20140104,0,6691480.column#axzz2pOjjk6i4

Families of brain-dead patients need compassion and understanding, not lawyers or PR consultants.

It will take more than doctors, judges and medical records to convince Nailah Winkfield that her child is dead.

Winkfield's 13-year-old daughter, Jahi McMath, entered an Oakland hospital for tonsil surgery three weeks ago and wound up on life support.

Now Jahi is hooked to a ventilator that handles the mechanics of breathing, but she's been declared brain-dead by several physicians, including a court-appointed neurologist from Stanford.

Officials at Children's Hospital Oakland want to disconnect the machine; Jahi, they say, has zero chance of recovery.

more at link: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-0104-banks-jahi-mcmath-20140104,0,6691480.column#ixzz2pRooiMSx

[No Vested Interest]

1. Wouldn't be surprised if this poor mother can not deal with

the fact that Jahi expressed concern/fear of the operation just before surgery and the mother likely assured her that all would be fine.
Anyone can understand her feelings.

However, these experiences of parents' "failing" (in the parent's mind) their children happens often and throughout history.
Now, she's so deep into all this, getting encouragement from the Like of the Terry Schiavo Foundation, she's not in touch with those who can offer her realistic advice.

Poor soul.

[cbayer]

3. These cases are so complicated and so heartbreaking.

It's hard for most to even imagine losing their child, but to have the body still there with a beating heart is just unfathomable.

If the reports are true, the hospital made a disaster error in become adversarial early on. They were already in a serious situation and a few days to do this right would have been a much better course of action.

[customerserviceguy]

2. I'm starting to think

that the drama is being increased, so the settlement can be increased. Not blaming the parents for that, but I am blaming the attorney(s) for the family who can no doubt smell money here.

[cbayer]

4. The settlement is going to be huge no matter what.

I don't think this is about money and I can't see any benefit to the attorneys in keeping her on life support.

[customerserviceguy]

5. To us

millions and billions are both huge. To attorneys, there's a difference.

It will be impossible to find a jury that's never heard of this case, and even if you do, the lawyers present all of the "mental pain and anguish" crap about getting these parents to accept that their daughter is dead. Anyone clueless enough about this case will fall for that crap.

Drama + trauma = big, big, big bucks.

[cbayer]

6. Good point about a jury, but I'm not ready to impugn this family in any way

at this point.

Having dealt with these cases, it is generally the very last thing on their minds… particularly when children are involved.

The grief is just so overwhelming.

[customerserviceguy]

7. Again

I didn't impugn the family, they're going through unimaginable grief right now, and I doubt they can think straight enough to even hatch a scheme. However, the enablers who are causing prolongation of their grief clearly see where a fat buck can be made, and they're sufficiently emotionally detached from the situation to figure out how to maximize their payoff.

[cbayer]

8. I agree with you.

And if the reports are correct, they are probably giving the family more of what they want than the hospital apparently did.

The whole thing is just tragic and likely to go on far, far too long.

[madrchsod]

9. i agree...

i had a near death experience last february. i do not remember anything that happened until i woke up 4 days later.

this girl has no pain ,has no memory,and never will. i understand the grief of the parents because my family went through grief while i was "away".

someday they will accept the fact that their loved one has gone on.they will realize that it was only her body has gone not her spirit. they will think of her and she will be there.

[skepticscott]

10. And if these poor parents

hadn't been fed the delusion that "god" could somehow wave his hand and restore their daughter just the way she was, and that they should hold out hope for that "miracle", none of this sick charade would be happening at all.

Another thing that religion has poisoned.