This is Barbara Dawson. She lived in Bristol, Florida, a town about an hour away from us.
Ms. Dawson died yesterday at Calhoun Liberty Hospital in Blountstown, Florida. She was transported there Sunday night by ambulance after complaining of stomach pain. On Monday morning the attending physician at the community not-for-profit hospital discharged her. When Ms. Dawson complained and stated she felt she needed to stay because she did not feel well, hospital staff banned her and had her arrested.
Blountstown police were called to the hospital just before 5 am Monday morning and officers put Ms. Dawson in handcuffs and escorted her from the building, but Ms. Dawson didn’t even make it into the patrol car before she collapsed. She later was pronounced dead. The cause of death has been ruled blood clots to the lungs.
The local news have so far made hay of Ms. Dawson’s body size, the number of times she’s sought medical treatment from local hospitals, and her behavior at the hospital that some see as disruptive but to me looks like someone trying to stand up for herself. Why does all that matter anyway?
It’s Christmas, the holiest time of year for Christians, and that man whose birth we’re celebrating said that all are precious and worthy.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
But we’re not all precious, are we? If black, or fat, or old, or lack health insurance, if dare speak up for ourselves, then we are not as worthy. Then it’s OK to deny care, disparage us, arrest us, and then, when when we die, throw up up your hands and say, “oh well, I tried.”
Here’s a news flash, people: Jesus doesn’t care if there is or isn’t a “War on Christmas,” but he does care that we love and take care of each other.
Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Rest in peace, Ms. Dawson.
Dogpaddling Through Life 
Wow, how awful!!!!!! RIP Ms. Dawson
And yet it is all so true.
Well said
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Thanks, Roy.
Whatever happened to the customer, or in this case patient, is always right?! They should’ve listened to her and addressed her needs. This is a very sad case. RIP.
For a hospital to be negligent is one thing; to blame the patient for your negligence is unconscionable.
RIP, Barbara. 😦
😦
Hello. This is truly a Shame of a Nation we live in. So much for the Hippocratic Oath. Shame!
There are some parts of the US where this is generally accepted practice.
A very sad story. You are right to be indignant at the hospital’s behavior. Medical staff are supposed to be the ones who are there to help people but obviously they don’t feel a need to help everyone, just those they deem worthy. They should see themselves from the patient’s perspective.
Most of us humans don’t see past our own nose.
Even if she was difficult, even if she was downright nasty—and I am totally NOT saying that she was—EVERYONE deserves good medical care. And so many times people are dismissed for trying to advocate for themselves.
Thanks for caring about and posting about these things. I always appreciate that you come down solidly on the side of compassion and social justice.
I may not believe in Jesus’ deity, but I still think he had a valid message.
Yeah, I don’t remember you quoting the Bible before… Kinda threw me. 🙂 But the message is indeed valid!
I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith. I am well-acquainted with Jesus’ teachings.
Huh. The things you learn about people! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful holiday, however you may or may not celebrate it. I look forward to “reading” more of you!
Totally agree. Maybe this lady has had on-going health problems that were never addressed which is why she kept seeking help. Many people get classified as difficult when they seek help repeatedly and the systems we live under fail to respond adequately. Of course, some people are just plain difficult, but you are right – they all deserve good care too. xXx
Inspired post Rumpy. This encapsulates where we have gone wrong the world over – not just America – and what it can cost in lives lost. RIP Mrs Dawson.
I think the one good thing Donald Trump has done for us in the US is call us out on our bigotry.
How horrible! I’m just dumbfounded by the actions by these “professionals.” So sad. 😦
And after her death to make her out to be a problem makes me sick to my stomach.
Our main job is to love and take care of each other no matter what one looks like, one’s age, size, color, or anything else. Just love each other and take care of each other. some people are rater disruptive but they still need care and someone to actually listen to them. Thank you for this post. I think if the doctors had listened the first time she went in, they could have fixed what was wrong and she wouldn’t have had to keep going bsck.
It bothers me that we have categories of worth for people based on whatever…
Medicine and compassion at its worst. Disgusts me and unfortunately, sadly, this is not a singular case. God help us all. Thanks for reminding us to pay attention and take care of others as we would want to be taken care of.
No, it’s far too common. I remember the LA hospital that dumped homeless people out because they didn’t want to have to cover the cost of their care.
Great Christmas Message.. to love and Care.. Happy Christmas to you xxx Hugs Sue
Happy Christmas to you, Sue!
So sad. She also made the fatal mistake of being female.
Yes. I’m surprised they didn’t shove a Valium down her throat before sending her on her way.
Morality lives in dreg city with these people; glad you spoke up for justice; we all have to repeatedly!
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ ~Matthew 25:40 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus may have said we’re all precious. But many of his followers haven’t adopted that same philosophy for themselves. As a 50+ Hispanic male with no wife or children, I know I’m on the lowest rung of the human food chain, according to law enforcement, politicians and the medical community. It’s why I don’t trust any of them. I know the police would never help me, but they’ve been quick to stop me for an expired inspection sticker or traveling 5 miles over the speed limit. That’s also why I have absolutely no idea who I’m going to vote for in next year’s presidential elections – if I even vote at all! No one, but no one, amidst the Washington elite is looking out for the average person.
What happened to Mrs. Dawson is emblematic of the legacy of racial bias in this country and especially in the Southeastern U.S. But I believe what goes around, comes around. Even though I’m certain Mrs. Dawson had more to contribute to the community around her, she’s much better off now than dealing with incompetent, bigoted hospital staff and police officials. The memory of her will haunt those who viciously drove her into the ground.
This is a wonderful tribute to Ms.Dawson. Thank you fur making sure her story was told and she is remembered. And thank you especially fur reminding is of the most important thing of all – that we obey the Word of God and love our neighbors!
I hope her family sue the Hospital and the police for such deplorable treatment and negligence. RIP Mrs Dawson ,xx Rachel
I hate to say this …but it’s true..if Jesus were alive today in America..he’d die in a hail of bullets from the cold, cowardly hands of a fake american christian..who would then claim “stand your ground” as his defense because he thought Jesus’ message threatened him..
Poor woman. Feeling really sorry for her. You are right, it would be much more appropriate if the people from the hospital would apologise and admit that they have made a mistake. Not only at Christmas! If that woman wouldn’t have argued and tried to stay. She would have died quietly on the way home. And then the public might not have heard of the case. I guess the hospital management doesn’t like the bad publicity. But there’s no way to make it look better.
So sad. I worked as an RN for 30+ years before retiring. Let nobody tell you that hospitals are anything but for profit businesses. I worked ther. I know how they operate. They are shameless. I hope she enjoys Christmas with her Saviour this year. RIP.
I agree with Susan all hospital are there to make a profit and when they don’t they get closed I know I live in a small town and we have had one closed/bought out by a bigger place that makes a profit. I too am an RN retired and that is wrong what that did to that poor woman.