On behalf of the Board of Directors of Not Dead Yet, we express profound sadness at the news that legendary ADAPT organizer, first ally of Not Dead Yet, and pivotal disability rights advocate, Bob Kafka has passed away at his Austin, Texas home on December 26, 2025. First, our deepest heartfelt condolences to Stephanie Thomas, Bob’s […]
Nine month old Tinslee Lewis was scheduled to die today (11/11/19), based on a Fort Worth hospital’s decision to remove her ventilator under the Texas futility law. The nation’s most infamous futility law provides for ten days notice and you’re dead — unless another willing medical provider takes over. From news video, it does not […]
This is a followup to yesterday’s post about Chris Dunn. Not Dead Yet of Texas has issued a released a release regarding the “futility” decision being fought by the family of Chris Dunn. For Immediate Release Not Dead Yet of Texas has for the last 3 legislative sessions supported amending the Futile Care language in […]
It’s been a while since we’ve posted anything on it, but futile care policies have been an area of concern for NDY and other disability rights groups for many years. Things have been quiet for awhile, which isn’t really good news. We only hear about futile care issues if a family goes public – reaching […]
On Sunday (May 8, 2011), the Austin American-Statesman published an update of sorts on the continuing stalemate over the Texas “futile care statute,” which translates as a “win” for supporters of the status quo. It’s a fascinating article – for many reasons. But perhaps the most fascinating are the many contradictions contained in the article […]
Texas has a reputation for doling out pretty harsh treatment when it comes to murder. Apparently – in Austin, anyway – exceptions will be made if the victim is devalued enough. Last Friday, Katherine “Kim” Yarbrough received ten years of probation in a plea bargain. Yarbrough had admitted to killing her husband, Lloyd Yarbrough. Nevertheless, […]
This blog has visited the topic of futile care policies more than once. These policies allow hospitals to overrule advanced directives and/or the wishes of family members in removing/refusing life-sustaining treatment to someone unable to express his or her wishes. Of all the states, Texas has given hospitals the most power in these situations. And […]
About 3 weeks ago, this blog reported on the case of young David Coronado, a 6-month-old infant allegedly beaten severely by at least one of his parents. Initially, a court-appointed guardian planned to petition for removal of life-support. The scheduled hearing to hear the petition was cancelled due to unspecified “new information.” (We received detailed […]
On Monday this week, NDY was contacted by Texas attorney Jerri Ward, who has worked extensively on behalf of families and patients in fighting the aggressive implementation of “futility” policies in Texas. The subject of the call was an impending court hearing in Dallas County juvenile court to decide on a petition by a court-appointed […]
