No One Is Safe
By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Editor
Editor's Desk
Hugh Finn might have died last October in a Manassas nursing home, but his memory continues to haunt his family. Virginia legislators who fought for his survival continue to pay the price.
Hugh’s wife Michele, who passionately pursued the removal of her husband’s feeding and hyrdration tube, recently testified before the Virginia General Assembly to receive $48,000 in state funds to cover her legal bills. In the process, she castigated both Governor Jim Gilmore and Delegate Bob Marshall for their efforts to keep Hugh alive.
The House Claims Committee Feb. 17 sided with the governor in deciding not to reimburse her for legal expenses.
Attorney General Mark Early asked medical expert Dr. Paul A. Byrne to review Hugh Finn’s medical records prior to removal of his feeding tube. Byrne, who is a qualified expert in the central nervous system in Michigan and Virginia courts, examined reports from physicians, medical records from the Moss Rehab in Philadelphia and the Annaburg Manor facility in Manassas. His affidavit was prepared under oath with a penalty of perjury for deliberate falsehoods.
Hugh Finn’s brain was temporarily deprived of oxygen during a 1995 car crash in Louisville, Ky. A feeding tube was later inserted through his abdominal wall into his stomach to enable him to be fed without the risk of choking. This is "standard medical practice," according to Byrne. A shunt was placed in Finn’s head to relieve pressure, but a review of his medical records indicates that the shunt was not functioning properly and no treatment was undertaken to correct this. "An improperly functioning shunt can prevent a person from communicating," Byrne said.
"Hugh Finn, even in his last days, needed only food, water and comfort care — the same things we all need. He was not on life support."
Further review of his medical records reveals that Finn was alert, able to hear, and responsive to those around him. Medical staff report Finn communicating with them, either by speaking or putting his hand to his forehead, which indicated "yes."
"Records show Mr. Finn was able to push buttons that turned his radio on and off. The above actions are impossible for anyone in a vegetative state," Byrne said.
It is well documented that the Finn family was sharply divided on the subject of Hugh’s continued treatment. His parents, Joan and Tom, lived near Annaburg Nursing Home and visited their son almost daily. They were willing to take care of him at home. Hugh’s brothers and Michele Finn’s sister, Elaine Glazier, also opposed the removal of the feeding tube.
"After his wife announced she was going to terminate him, I sat and told Hugh that she was going to put him to death," said Tom Finn, Hugh’s brother. "He pinched his face up and brought up both arms up and shivered, then both legs picked up and he moaned very loud. I am still sorry I did that to him."
"Florida is currently prosecuting the Church of Scientology for depriving one of its adherents of food," Byrne said. "Ironically, there is a major effort in the General Assembly to give Michele Finn $48,000 from Virginia taxpayers to pay her lawyer’s fees (that effort succeeded). Only a culture of death could think it just to use taxpayer’s money for this purpose.
"All Virginia should tremble to think that
their elected state representatives are content to let more Hugh Finn cases
happen, after being told that doctors misdiagnose the vegetative state
40 percent of the time. No one is safe." — M.F.F.
Copyright ©1999 Arlington Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
This article was published in the Arlington
Catholic Herald,
200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 607, Arlington, VA 22203; Vol. 24, No 7;
page 4, dated Feb 18, 1999.
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It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion. Let us not forget that ordinary everyday Abortion is also murder. We must understand that murder is murder no matter the method. Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not justify the other methods. We should be horrified and sickened by any Abortion regardless of the method. The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly: "Thou shalt not kill." A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul. Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any Abortion occurs. Please contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone, to let them know how horrified you are that Abortions are legal and to stop Partial-Birth Abortions and all other Abortions as soon as possible. (It has become apparent that they do not respond to email therefore you will have more of an impact by writing or telephoning.)
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