Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

Anne Sommers, the Policy Counsel for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), moderates the JFActivist blog. For readers outside of the disability community, “JFA” stands for “Justice For All.” Just a few days ago, Anne combed the platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties for items relevant to the interests and concerns of … Continue reading JFActivist blog: How the Republicans and Democrats are Talking About Disability →

Important “New” ICAD Blog – and Important Info on Joe Biden

September 3, 2008bioethics, blog recommendations, bloggers, Our News & Commentary Blog, policy, politicsStephen Drake

I’m still trying to catch up with things I’ve missed while being offline the past few months. One happy discovery was to find that Dick Sobsey started up the ICAD blog in July and has been posting on it regularly. Some readers might be familiar with ICAD – the International Coalition on Abuse and Disabilities … Continue reading Important “New” ICAD Blog – and Important Info on Joe Biden →

Dorothy Livadas is Dead

August 29, 2008"end of life", life-ending decisions, media coverage, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

The Democrat & Chronicle reports that Dorothy Livadas died after being removed from her ventilator today: Strong Memorial Hospital officials confirmed that Dorothy Livadas, the 97-year-old Rochester woman whose end-of-life care was the center of a months-long legal battle, died this afternoon. Livadas had remained on a ventilator for about seven months, while her daughter … Continue reading Dorothy Livadas is Dead →

Dorothy Livadas Scheduled to Die Today

August 29, 2008"end of life", media coverage, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary Blog, Surrogate Decisions & GuardianshipStephen Drake

Yesterday, I received email from Ianthe Livadas. Ianthe was removed as her mother’s guardian in a dispute with Strong Memorial Hospital here in Rochester. This is part of what she wrote: …her current attending (he doesn’t even know her) just told me that CFC has decided that my mother should be disconnected, and that the … Continue reading Dorothy Livadas Scheduled to Die Today →

Dorothy Livadas Case Complex – and Hospital’s Misuse of Language Doesn’t Help

August 27, 2008"end of life", advance directives, life-ending decisions, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, Surrogate Decisions & GuardianshipStephen Drake

This entry is a little late. Others have been writing about the battle over the guardianship of Dorothy Livadas, a battle that has life and death consequences. Both Wesley Smith and Thaddeus Pope have written about the messy situation surrounding Dorothy Livadas. Interestingly, both Wesley and Pope have termed this case as one revolving “futility.” … Continue reading Dorothy Livadas Case Complex – and Hospital’s Misuse of Language Doesn’t Help →