For many men the worst nightmare would be you’re on life support and the doctors decide to leave the decision over whether or not to pull the plug up to….YOUR EX WIFE!!!!
Well it turns out that may be exactly what happened to Gary Coleman.
Entertainment Weekly reports:
Gary Coleman’s former lawyer claims the actor was divorced from Shannon Price at the time of his death on May 28, People reports. Randy Kester claims the pair’s marriage ended on Aug. 12, 2008, which raises questions about Price’s legal right to take Coleman off life support. “We’re definitely concerned about this and we’re looking into what exactly happened here,” Janet Frank, a spokesperson for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center — the hospital in which Coleman passed away — told People. “Shannon certainly portrayed herself as his wife to our staff and doctors. We assumed she was telling the truth. We can’t comment on specific details in Mr. Coleman’s case, but in general, any patient on life support is thoroughly evaluated medically before life support is ended.”
I’m not suggesting that Coleman’s ex-wife did him in but I am questioning whether hospitals are so eager to get people off life support that they’ll pretty much take anybody’s word for it that this person needs to be dispatched to the great beyond pronto.
This is kind of a big decision that there’s really no coming back from. So don’t you think it should require some attention before we start pulling plugs? Is this happening so often that hospitals have become a bit…cavalier about life and death decisions? (That’s a rhetorical question.)
I think many men would rather have a stranger on the street making that decision rather than their ex-wife.
June 3, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I heard on the radio this morning that they had worked out a health care directive that states that she would be able to make important medical decisions on his behalf, regardless of marital status. Unless he chose to revoke that ability after they got divorced. Of course no one knows exactly what happened and these are all rumors.
June 3, 2010 at 7:52 pm
"Unless he chose to revoke that ability after they got divorced."
If the agreement was drawn up prior to their divorce, I'm not sure he had to revoke it. I'm pretty sure that in many, if not most, states such an agreement would likely become legally null and void at the time of the divorce. In those states, a decree of divorce acts as an automatic revocation of a health-care directive, living will, or medical power of attorney.
However, in the event of a divorce, it is probably wise for one to EXPLICITLY revoke any of those legal documents that empowers one's spouse to act on one's behalf.
Now, if the agreement was made between them AFTER the divorce, it was probably still legally valid.
June 3, 2010 at 9:39 pm
And yet, you don't want to give the same consideration to gay couples. Hmmm.
June 3, 2010 at 11:01 pm
"And yet, you don't want to give the same consideration to gay couples. Hmmm."
And what does THAT supposed to mean?
I guess you're right. I don't want the ex-wife of a gay man to make the decision on whether or not to pull the plug.
June 4, 2010 at 3:21 am
PersonalFailure, all people should have legal documentation assigning who has the authority to make medical decisions in case you are unable. I chose my wife. I could have chosen my brother, or my best friend.
I know her documents stating that I can make medical decisions on her behalf are at the hospital where she's delivered our children. I should make sure mine is as well.
Of course, this doesn't cover instances where the closest hospital is a different hospital. I guess there'll have to be another national registry.
Anyone relying on the marriage certificate (or even just a claim of being married) to convince doctors that they have the right as next-of-kin to make medical decisions is fooling themselves, simply because there have been cases in the past where an ex-spouse has made decisions.
June 4, 2010 at 3:47 pm
yeah and I read somewhere last night that she had made comments about how she didn't want him to become like Terri Schiavo and that even if they took out that part of his brain that was damaged he "wouldn't be the same" he would "be like Mohammad Ali"!
I wonder what Mr. Ali thinks of that. He was probably already glad he wasn't Gary Coleman. (kidding).
Poor Gary. God rest his soul. Seems like he had a real tough life to me.
June 4, 2010 at 6:55 pm
PULLING THE PLUG, NOT UNCOMMON!!! To be expected!
Did you know, if you "lose consciousness", during a catastrophic crisis, viability to pull the plug on you has just been elevated quite exponentially!!! You don't necessarily even "need" any medical decision maker, for or against you. It won't be their "choice" to make anyway! Did you know that your "importance value" as a "person" is evaluated and weighed as a factor against your "present value status" in determining the course and treatment of your care and potential outcome? Be very careful if your anywhere near a teaching medical center or hospital! Oh, by the way body parts and tissues are worth a lot these days! After they have milked the insurance for a bundle! During a catastrophic visit to the emergency room. Don't be surprised if a doctor tells you within (8) hours (status post) that your loved one is stable, but brain function activity has been compromised. Doctors are now intent on saving the BODY PARTS rather than the BRAIN!!! They KILL the brain in the process of saving the rest of the body! NOT UNCOMMON to deprive the brain of oxygen and NO ONE QUESTIONS IT!!! Helps with the outcome management problem! In all appearances it really looks like they are trying sincerely to save your loved one's life. The empathy in which they explain it to you, how they really tried to save their life is the real kicker!, in this show! Hey, doctors have their marching orders, too. God Bless anyone who has to be involved in this type of decision making and outcome with a loved one. Heartbreaking!
June 4, 2010 at 7:23 pm
I didn't know Gary Coleman had died, but to go the way he did seems especially sad.
June 5, 2010 at 12:26 am
In the Schiavo case she had a family willing to care for her. Her ex wanted to kill her and pushed for her death for years. The ex had moved on and had a new family, yet he sought to end her life. I don't know if Coleman had family who would have helped. Coleman's death happened all too quick. I pray he is with Our Lord.