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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 04/22/2010 : 21:20:05
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A mother who appears to have gone into a permanent vegetative state after the difficult birth of her triplets is suing (via her parents) for visitation rights to "see" her kids.
From my reading of this article, it seems that Abbie Dorn is essentially gone from this world, and will never return:
Abbie Dorn always wanted children, and in June 2006 she got her wish -- triplets. But during a difficult birth she suffered severe brain damage that took away her chance to raise them.
Now, her parents and former husband are locked in a legal battle over whether Dorn is capable of interacting with her children, and whether they should visit her.
On Tuesday, a judge in Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled that Abbie Dorn's parents have the right to fight for visitation rights on her behalf.
The ruling clears the way for a trial, scheduled for May 13. No matter who prevails, the case is likely to lead to years of appeals that could result in a legal landmark affecting the rights of mentally incapacitated parents.
Dorn, 34, last had contact with triplets Esti, Reuvi and Yossi in October 2007, when they were toddlers. They will turn 4 on June 20.
Paul and Susan Cohen, a physician and former nurse, are conservators of Abbie Dorn's estate and care for their daughter full-time at their home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A $7.8 million medical malpractice settlement funds her treatment.
Her former husband, Daniel Dorn, is raising the triplets in Los Angeles, California.
Susan Cohen says her daughter has made considerable progress after intensive rehabilitation and now communicates by blinking her eyes.
"One slow blink means 'yes.' No response means 'no,'" said Cohen.
Daniel Dorn maintains that his former wife remains in a vegetative state. She is more than physically disabled, he contends in court papers, she is "neurologically incapacitated" and legally incompetent to make decisions involving her children.
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CNN has obtained the 2007 medical report in which neurologist Richard Helvie described Abbie Dorn's condition as "permanent." Observing a list of mental functions, Helvie noted that she was "so impaired as to be incapable of being assessed" for most of the evaluation. |
In my opinion, her "rights" are not a real issue. But I do think that the rights of her children to visit her are important.
I believe Abbie's parents are in a deep state of denial and wishful thinking. But that's irrelevant to the question of whether or not Abbie's kids should have the right to have memories of their mother.
It's a question of the kids' right to know their mother. Abbie herself, sadly, doesn't really come into the question. I frankly can't see a good reason that the kids' father wants them kept away from their mother.
What do you think?
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 05:44:18 [Permalink]
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| Hard to be dispassionate when you're a parent, I'll give them a pass right now. But if I hear evidence of book deals and the like all bets are off. |
Bailey's second law; There is no relationship between the three virtues of intelligence, education, and wisdom.
You fiend! Never have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the Church? - The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Blackadder II
Baculum's page: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=3947338590 |
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 05:50:49 [Permalink]
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What a sad story.
I think the kid's rights to see their mother are most important here. I am undecided about the rights of the mother in this case. I just keep thinking back to " Johnny Got His Gun". |
Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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Hawks
SFN Regular
Canada
1383 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 06:34:13 [Permalink]
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| I suspect that the lawsuit is more about the grand parents wanting to see the grand kids. Paul obviously doesn't want to see them. |
METHINKS IT IS LIKE A WEASEL
It's a small, off-duty czechoslovakian traffic warden! |
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astropin
SFN Regular
USA
970 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 07:43:48 [Permalink]
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Why have them visit her?
For all practical purposes....she's dead. Introduce the kids to their mother through photos or videos from when she was alive. I really don't see what they would gain (especially at age 4) by visiting the still living body of their former mother. |
I would rather face a cold reality than delude myself with comforting fantasies.
You are free to believe what you want to believe and I am free to ridicule you for it.
Atheism:
The result of an unbiased and rational search for the truth.
Infinitus est numerus stultorum |
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 07:51:04 [Permalink]
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Why not?
These memories could inspire them to become neurosurgeons someday.....or not. |
Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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astropin
SFN Regular
USA
970 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 07:59:55 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Ebone4rock
Why not?
These memories could inspire them to become neurosurgeons someday.....or not.
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Maybe.....if they were teenagers. They are not going to get anything good out of it at age 4.....IMHO. It's beyond their ability to comprehend. Living body.....dead mother....that's a tough one. |
I would rather face a cold reality than delude myself with comforting fantasies.
You are free to believe what you want to believe and I am free to ridicule you for it.
Atheism:
The result of an unbiased and rational search for the truth.
Infinitus est numerus stultorum |
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2010 : 08:03:07 [Permalink]
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Maybe.....if they were teenagers. They are not going to get anything good out of it at age 4.....IMHO. It's beyond their ability to comprehend. Living body.....dead mother....that's a tough one.
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Have you hung around any four year olds lately? They are smart little buggers. |
Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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Suit: Vegetative mom's visitation rights with kids
