NDY Press Release:
ADAPT of Texas has issued an Independence Day announcement that disability advocates are holding a vigil at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center to support the family of Michael Hickson, a 46-year old Black man with disabilities who died after being denied COVID-19 treatment. Not Dead Yet applauds ADAPT of Texas’ demand for “A full and immediate investigation of the death of Michael Hickson by state and federal officials including the role of the medical community,” and a meeting with Charles Laird, CEO of the St. David’s facility.
Mr. Hickson’s wife and widow, Melissa Hickson, has recorded a compelling video concerning the hospital’s denial of care for her husband based on negative quality of life judgments about his disability.
Mrs. Hickson has also provided other recordings of her husband’s recovery and statements made to her by a St. David’s doctor expressing blatant and unlawful discrimination. Links to these recordings are includes in an earlier NDY article.
ADAPT’s July 4th Press Advisory and Statement of Demands follow below.
*****PRESS ADVISORY ******
SUBJECT: Disability Independence and Life Itself Challenged because of COVID 19 rationing. Michael Hickson’s death Outrages ADAPT of Texas
For information:
Nicky – 512 736 4814
Sophia – 512 924 8449
ADAPT of Texas advocates and supporters will be at the Entrance of St. David’s South Austin Medical 901 West Ben White Blvd on Sat, July 4th at 6:30pm. Advocates will do a Vigil to support the family of Michael Hickson.
Attached are the demands of ADAPT of Texas.
Currently Texas has no guidance on the rationing of healthcare.
People with disabilities are NOT DISPOSABLE.
Our chant: LIFE WORTHY OF LIFE
1100 South IH 35 * Austin, Texas 78704 * www.adaptoftexas.org
Recently a quadriplegic Michael Hickson died under circumstances that may have resulted from rationing services because of his disability and being tested positive with COVID 19.
This has outraged the ADAPT of Texas Community.
WE DEMAND:
- A full and immediate investigation of the death of Michael Hickson by state and federal officials including the role of the medical community;
- Charles Laird, CEO of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center meet with members of the ADAPT of Texas Community.
July 4, 2020
LIFE WORTHY OF LIFE
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE NOT DISPOSIBLE