June 29, 2016

Hospital Refuses to Provide Care for Two-Year Old with Brain Injury


Two-year old Mirranda Lawson choked on a piece of popcorn on May 11 and was taken to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center (VCU) in Richmond In critical condition. Since that time, the hospital has steadfastly refused to provide treatment for the toddler, saying they don't believe she can recover. However, Mirranda has already far outlived her original prognosis. Furthermore, she is moving in response to her parents' voice and requires far less medication now to remain stable than she did when she first arrived at VCU. Even though Mirranda has a serious brain injury, her condition is improving.

Mirranda's parents have made it clear to the hospital that they wish to care for their daughter at home. Home care is a common option for patients with brain injuries like MIrranda's. However, the hospital refuses to provide Mirranda with the breathing tube and feeding tube she needs to be eligible for home care. These are routine procedures that the hospital regularly performs on other patients, yet VCU will not provide them to Mirranda.

Doctors at VCU have said they will agree to allow Mirranda to go home to die, but they refuse to allow her to go home to live.

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