Please sign this petition to free a 15 year old girl being held captive for 13 months at Boston Childrens Hospital. Her parents are devastated and Justina's health is rapidly declining. Court hearing is tomorrow!!!!!
Also, feel free to comment on Boston Childrens Hospital facebook page about your thoughts on this kidnapping and the apparent others that have happened at this facility. Enough is enough!
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
For more information about this girl and her family:
It isn't just this hospital that has failed her family, it is the court system too. And I wonder who is paying for this forced incarceration in a hospital.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I guess everyone pays!
This is a horrible situation. If you are in the area, please fight for this child!!
If I'm not mistaken, Lyme is also in the picture here. (I think it began that way)
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Yes, we the taxpayers are paying for the unconstitutional imprisonment of a child who has been removed from the custody of her parents.
And let's preface that by saying that by ALL accounts her parents are loving, logical, reasonable people who have sought out the best possible medical care for their child.
Their requests that their daughter's treatment be handled by their daughter's previous medical center went ignored by BCH.
The state of Massachusetts has decided that its bureaucrats know best when it comes to the health of this child.
Every parent of a sick child should be enraged that a government entity superseded parental rights.
Parents have the right to make ALL decisions for their minor children. Period. Period. Period.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
If that child declines in the hospital, there is the potential for a huge lawsuit against the hospital. That is the only thing the authorities will recognize as a threat.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Exactly right, beaches and poppy!
I think the hospital and the bureaucrats are all running scared now and they know they are wrong. So now how to "fix" this and still save face?
If the hospital lets her go, then it will be found out HOW WRONG THEY WERE/ARE and they are SO AFRAID OF THAT!! (and oh boy, will there will be a huge lawsuit)
She has definitely been declining and her family is VERY VERY afraid for her.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I just read that Justina will be moved to foster care until the next hearing on March 17.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Reverend Patrick Mahoney of the "Christian Defense" in Washington, DC, spoke today on behalf of the Pelletier family. Here is what he said:
*Justina is remaining in Mass. DCF custody for now *Justina is being transferred to a foster care facility where she will not receive medical care *The next court hearing is March 17th with one to follow on March 24th *The gag order was not lifted today; Lou Pelletier was not held in contempt. It will be addressed in March. *The Christian Defense group and Personhood USA are launching "FreeJustina" campaigns nationally in support of the family *The groups are leading a vigil for Justina on Saturday March 1st at noon
------------
For the first time, Fox CT and all other media was barred from the 4th floor of the courthouse today. Linda Pelletier fell over and was taken to the hospital by stretcher. She is conscious.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Oh god...what if that poor baby dies? They will have killed her and gotten away with it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I know. Very frightening.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
They give this child into foster care!!!! Just unbelievable.
And not even parents deciding on their own about treatment, but a difference of opinion between two well known medical institutions. Why in the world can't the judge see this. Maybe he is blind, deaf, and dumb.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Maybe the judge has Lyme Disease, Lyme really screws with our brains, we all know that!!!
Steve
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Ya know it sounds sort of like nazi germany doesnt it? Kids being taken away from families. Kids turning against parents. You name it..the government taking over
People should really be careful.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Awful.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Absolutely, randi. We are now paying the price for apathy in this country.
-
“The Justina Pellitier case represents a troubling and disturbing trend of government officials usurping the rights of parents and disregarding their unique and special role in raising their children,” Rev. Mahoney, who organized events to support Terri Schiavo in Florida up until 2005, said in a statement ahead of the decision.
“We call upon the State of Massachusetts to immediately return Justina into the loving arms of her parents so the healing process can move forward. We also call upon the faith community and people of good will across the nation to work tirelessly and passionately until this family is reunited.”
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
So does anyone know who the public should be calling or contacting to advocate that Justina be returned to her family for medical care for her condition?
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
There are 2 very good 2-part interviews in this link.
Justina's father broke the Judge's gag order and spoke to Fox News, trying to save his daughter's life.
Did I miss something. or is it possible she has undiagnosed Lyme disease since she is from Connecticut? This is so heartbreaking and outrageous!! Signed the petition.
Gael
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I THINK she has Lyme in her background. I believe that is a known piece of her medical history that is not discussed.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
This is horrific.
I tell you, after having my own therapist try to pull the psychosomatic card on me, the situation has gotten scary with the new DSM V diagnoses specifically made for situations like this.
Sending up a prayer for her and her family.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Ok - just got an email today saying Judge Johnston's office is being swamped with calls, and we can add to that! Advocate for Justina's release and for her and her family's right to pursue medical treatment.
617-788-8525 or 617-788-8542
This judge has issued a gag order on the dad, limited family visits, and prohibited photographs during visits. Can you say censorship?
Great news about the two legislators helping!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Someone said they called the judge's office and the people were actually nice to them.
We'll see how long that lasts!
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Actually, it may last, now that the judge's office understands how many people are following this case! Plus the legislature. Ha!
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I got that same email, Robin, and was just coming here to post the phone #, and saw that you had already posted it....thanks!
I hope the Judge gets the message loud and clear.
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
I thought tick related but someone indicated pandas not lyme.
Posted by CinMI (Member # 43045) on :
She has mitochondrial disorder. Everyone who has a rare or misunderstood disease is at risk of having this happen to them.
Posted by Lymedin2010 (Member # 34322) on :
That is sick. I signed!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by t9im: I thought tick related but someone indicated pandas not lyme.
- PANDAS is highly associated with Lyme.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by CinMI: She has mitochondrial disorder. Everyone who has a rare or misunderstood disease is at risk of having this happen to them.
- Absolutely true!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Someone told me about this story today and it broke my heart. NOT another one!! I actually can't bring myself to read about it now.
Please know this is not an isolated incident. We've had to fight this same situation in other states and it is always extremely horrible and ugly.
We've had to get (sneak) kids out of hospitals and take them straight to other docs who could diagnose them properly, treat them and who ended up saving their lives.
And LYMENET members saved a number of children over the years!!! By working together we did it!
Here is one of the stories that was published about 10 years ago, or more? See the reference to LymeNet members.
What it doesn't tell you are the details about the legal battles, all of the symptoms, the child's cries, and the gag order on the mom, etc.
Still sounds like a mess. She can go to Tufts now, but the state still has custody? Wondering if having CT taking custody instead of MA is any better. I don't get why a state can take a child that is not a resident of that state. If the legislature has any clout in MA in this case, they won't have any in CT, so is that a good move?
And if the judge has now agreed that Tufts can treat this girl, doesn't that say that the parents were right to begin with, so they should just get custody back too. Why allow the parents' medical choices for her but not let them have her back? Nuts. Every time I think about cases like this, my blood pressure goes up to 200.
Thanks for posting the update.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Please feel free to copy and paste this to an email and send it out.
````````````````````````````````````````````
Background- Boston Children's Hospital told the parents of Justina Pelletier that their daughter suffers not from a disease that requires treatment, but from a psychological condition called somatoform disorder and that her symptoms are all psychologically induced. (Sound familiar?) Then, the hospital accused Justina’s parents of medical child abuse and the State assumed custody of the teen.
Email and/or Call- the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families- Tell them to let Justina go home with her parents. [email protected] Phone- (617) 748-2000
Call Judge Johnston's Office- The Judge issued a gag order on the dad, limited family visits, and even prohibited photographs during visits, etc. Tell the Judge that Justina should be reunited with her parents immediately. 617-788-8525 or 617-788-8542
- I very much remember Nicole!
Posted by kimmie (Member # 25547) on :
I knew you all would help! Progress has been made and Justina will be transferred back to Tufts for the proper medical care she once was thriving from. A hearing to be held in CT this week requesting she be returned to her family as well. And I believe the contempt of court charges against the Father for breaking the gag order have been dropped.
Many positive changes for Justina and her family. Thank you for everyones help. What a great community we have here on lymenet looking out for each other and speaking up for what is right! Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I hope the good news continues!! That poor family!! So traumatic for them.
Posted by canadianmama (Member # 36298) on :
Praying she is home with her family finally soon.
Sounds like great progress. Now she will need to be treated for her disease and likely post traumatic stress disorder. So foolish.
As a parent who was refused lyme testing and told my child was somo-somatic ("he's really feeling pain, there is just no cause for it other than stress") and told that if he didn't improve that anti psychotic would be necessary I am eternally grateful for all those who came before.
If not for those poor families who have suffered through things like Justine's family I would not have known to smile, nod and back away slowly from the crazy "doctors".
Visioning the day when she is at home and well again!
[ 03-05-2014, 01:30 AM: Message edited by: canadianmama ]
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Any more updates?
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I saw on Facebook that there is a Rally at the Courthouse to Free Justina Pelletier Monday, March 17 at 12:30pm Suffolk County Juvenile Court (24 New Chardon Street, Boston)
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
If you are able to attend the rally, please DO!!! It is important for EVERYONE. This is all about parental rights and healthcare decisions.
Justina's life is on the line.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
March 17th is St. Patrick's Day.
Let us all pray to him on this child's behalf.
I will also enlist the prayers of my Irish-born grandmother, who was born on March 17th.
Justina, I pray for your freedom. And I pray that wisdom and justice and common sense ultimately prevail.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Thanks to all for the updates. I've revised the original announcement and am sending this out. (Looks nicer on the email.) Please do the same!
Justice For Justina- UPDATES & RALLY
Making some progress, thanks to caring folks like you! So many Lyme children and parents have had the same kind of things happen to them. This injustice needs to stop, so please don't quit now!
Rally at the Courthouse to Free Justina Pelletier
Monday, March 17 at 12:30pm Suffolk County Juvenile Court (24 New Chardon Street, Boston)
"Lou Pelletier reports that Justina’s health is rapidly deteriorating, so time is of the essence."
"Because of the public’s recent involvement, the initial gag order and contempt charges have been withdrawn as of Monday, March 3. These early victories in this ongoing battle are largely due to the public speaking up on Justina’s behalf."
"More than 22 Massachusetts state representatives have announced their support of legislative efforts that would begin the process of returning Justina to her family by signing the Free Justina resolution in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
In Connecticut, 15 legislators have signed a letter to Connecticut’s DCF, urging them to let the Pelletier family take custody of Justina, rather than accept custody of her from the Massachusetts DCF."
Background- Boston Children's Hospital told the parents of Justina Pelletier that their daughter suffers not from a disease that requires treatment, but from a psychological condition called somatoform disorder and that her symptoms are all psychologically induced. (Sound familiar?) Then, the hospital accused Justina’s parents of medical child abuse and the State assumed custody of the teen.
Email and/or Call- the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families- Tell them to let Justina go home with her parents. [email protected] Phone- (617) 748-2000
Rally at the Courthouse to Free Justina Pelletier
Monday, March 17 at 12:30pm Suffolk County Juvenile Court (24 New Chardon Street, Boston)
Send this information out to everyone you know- by Email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Thank you!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Tutu,
Bless your heart! You should remember! You were right in there helping her all the time, and her mom! You were (oh, and still are) a blessing to so many! It was a wonderful outcome. Wish they were all that successful!
Hope everyone here realizes it happens to our kids and will continue if something isn't done.
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
UPDATE;
Justina Pelletier was 14 in 2013, where she landed in a locked psychiatric ward at Boston Children's Hospital. She was held for 14 months and suffered through horrific injustices and treatment.
Justina was "medically kidnapped" and her parents stood accused of medical child abuse after Boston Children's Hospital disputed and contested her previous medical diagnosis.
The Pelletier's filed their lawsuit againest Boston Children's Hospital and Justina's attending physicians.
While Lyme disease was not mentioned, many Lyme advocates fought to free Justina, as Lyme parents have faced similar actions bought againest them.
Now after nearly 7 years since their high-profile stand-off againest the medical establishment of Boston Children's Hospital, the Pelletier's malpractice suit will start on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 in Suffork Superior Court in Boston.
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