Texas mother Carolyn Jones is the latest resident of the state to be threatened by the Texas Advanced Directives Act (TADA), which permits hospitals to refuse medical care to patients without their consent and against the will of their families.
Carolyn Jones and TADA
According to TADA, a hospital ethics committee can make decisions to refuse medical care based on medical opinions, the patient’s financial situation, or any other reason they see fit. Once making the decision to terminate treatment or life support, they are only required to give [10] days notice before withdrawing the life-sustaining care.
On May 13, the 10-day clock for Carolyn Jones ran out, and her ventilator was stopped to the heartbreak of her family who adamantly opposed the decision.
While the Jones family pleaded, “Please don’t do this,” medical staff continued flipping switches to withdraw support.
The 61-year-old suffered a stroke in December of 2017, which led to stays at various hospitals before being transferred to Memorial Hermann Southwest in Houston last November.
Carolyn’s condition is complicated by diabetes which required years of dialysis. While she is not able to verbally communicate, she can communicate with staff and family through eye movement, crying, and conveying physical discomfort.
“My mother has been on and off a ventilator many times since her stroke,” said Carolyn’s 32-year-old daughter, Kina Jones. “With a little more time, she probably could’ve been taken off it again.”
Kina has likened the position her sweet mother has been put in by the Houston hospital to that of prison inmates.
“I’m beyond frustrated,” she said. “My mother never harmed a person in her life, and she’s getting less consideration from her hospital than murderers in prison.”
Kina told Click2Houston her mom is being treated the same as “prisoners on death row waiting to get executed.”
To the shock of many, as of 7:00 a.m. this morning, Carolyn is still breathing on her own.
The fact that the Texas mom is still fighting for her life despite the ventilator being turned off is further proof that she could have a viable shot at recovery if given more time.
Mark Dickson of Right to Life of East Texas even captured a video of Kina prompting her mother to yawn, after which Carolyn followed instruction just seconds later.
Regardless, the family has been informed that no further life-sustaining care will be provided.
“My mom is going to die [because] of a law that saves hospitals money,” said Kina.
“It’s not right, not for someone that is loving and is caring and has done nothing but serve 61 years of help, to just discard her like an animal.”
Tragically, it seems the Jones family has run out of options as it’s too late for a hospital transfer. However, they’re refusing to give up the fight.
“Right now the family’s only option is to keep on fighting for the life of Carolyn Jones,” said Dickson.“Her life, like everyone else’s life, is worth fighting for and none of us plan on giving up anytime soon.”
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