Our Own Jules Injured In DC

One of our blog readers, Jules of Denver, Colorado, recently visited Washington, DC and was struck in a hit and run in DuPont Circle. She was seriously injured, sustained two broken legs, fractured cervical vertebrate and an internal bleeding in cervical vertebrate's veins. Not only that, her glasses were destroyed -- she has 20/250 vision which is legally blind to start with.

She was sent to George Washington University Hospital. There, she was pretty mistreated by the doctors and nurses. They knew that she cannot read the documents without her glasses, but that does not matter to them. Jules has requested her friend to get in touch with me, I was horrified.

Here is the message from Jules via one person:

What is horrifying is how the hospital is treating her. If ever there needed someone on her side who can shake things up, it's now. The first 36 hours she had no interpreter in E.R. at all, despite the fact the Administrator admitted to me they have clergy on staff who sign. Julie was made to sign a living will, organ donation, surgery consent among others, despite the fact she has 250 vision without her glasses which were destroyed in the hit and run. She couldn't read the forms that she was signing and they knew it.

She has spotty at best, access to interpreters, somewhat better now after calling and bellowing ADA at the top of my lungs at the Administrator, because George Washington University hospital allowed their contract with a local Interpreter company expire. Administrator told me it was because they wouldn't return her calls, even though she was unaware when I first spoke to her, that Julie was deaf at all. The interpreter broke protocol and let me know that the situation is that the contract hasnt' been renewed, and the nurses seem to keep "forgetting" to call in an order to a company who has no contract with them, for an interpreter for the following day. At best, she's had access to interp's for a few hours at a time, going as long as a day or two without them.

The hospital administrator told me she had met Jules legal obligation to communication access by providing her with a TTY. However, was shocked to find out that a TTY such as the one she has required a receiving TTY on the other end, as "words come across the screen I've seen it myself."

The hospital Concierge when contacted, didn't want to give a message to a Deaf Patient because and I quote here.. his name was william by the way.. "How can I read it to her if she's Deaf?" I had to explain to the idiot that she could read IF she has her glasses because she's not a moron. His reading skills were not necessary. I'm sure they're fabulous.

The nurse on duty Thursday refused to give a message to her despite the fact that she hadn't had an Interpreter accessable to her all day, because it wasn't "My job". I asked her name, and she hung up on me.

Jules was thrilled to receive a bottle of shampoo and an air matress following said snit fit to the Administrator over her lack of care, on sunday. She didn't know how she was going to get her hair washed, but hey, she had a little bottle of shampoo.

She was originally told she was being shipped to Craig Hospital in the Denver region, on Saturday or Sunday. Jules asked me to make sure they had an interp there for her when she got there, as she wasn't getting good access as it was in D.C. I called Craig Hospital, and they informed me that not only were they not able to accept any new Spinal Cord injury patients as they're full, but they couldn't accept one with a bleed such as hers. It was dangerous to move her. They had no record of her coming in, no notice from D.C. of her condition, and had nothing to evaluate even if they could take her should they have a bed. I gave her the number to the Administrator at GWU, and she then called me back a few minutes later to inform me that the Administration at GWU refused to discuss her with them, denied she was being sent there, and if anyone had any questions about interpreters to ask Julie herself. All this despite the fact I was calling on Julie's behalf at her request simply to make sure she had an Interp available when she got there. A fact both Adminstrators knew well.

Jules has repeatedly asked for intervention on her behalf, I've called everyone I know, I've rattled every cage I can think of. She asked me if I'd rattled your cage yesterday when I spoke to her via an interpreter who actually showed up.

So here I am. Rattling your cage. Don't take my word for it, Talk to Jules if you can get through. They're planning on shipping her out on a commercial flight tomorrow to Colorado, if they're not lying to her again, to Spalding hospital. This is the latest, not the most accurate if history proves correct. She's a bit worried about getting on the plane, because she's been informed on the one hand that if the bleed in her neck clots it could paralyze her or kill her. She was then informed on Sunday by the Dr. that they would give her a shot to counteract the blood thinner that was preventing said clot. She's now being told, remarkably despite there's no additional testing to the contrary, hey they're mistaken, different kinda bleed, must be safe to ship her and have taken her off coumadin. Insurance refuses to cover Medivac, something that all the medical professionals agreed to up to this point, that she needed. So commercial is her only option, and they're pushing her to get up on her feet and walk with a broken neck on two broken legs so she'll qualify for the flight. The commercial airlines apparently won't take her if she's as injured as she is, unless they can show marked improvement in mobility and that she's not "medically fragile". Which hey she is.. seems to be about getting her the hell out of D.C. rather than treating her with respect and ethics.

By the way, GWU says that this is a "rare" occurance, as they "rarely get in deaf" and they RARELY require assistance. Really? You could chunk a rock from the hospital and hit Gallaudet. They've got an active E.R. Suppose Deaf never get injured in D.C.? If so I want to move there! The interpreter who was interp'ing for Jules sunday when I told her this, broke protocol again, and told me that was a lie, they, when they had an active contract, were there on a weekly basis if not daily and was herself horrified by how Jules is being treated.

She's being glared at by medical staff if there's no interp around to "tend to her needs". She's being treated like she's a moron, and she frankly doesn't know which bit of info is true. They seem to be shoving her towards a door, any door and concentrating on getting her the hell out of their hospital rather than concentrating on accurate information and access to communication. She is CONSISTANTLY being treated without knowing what the hell it's for or why other than obviously for her injuries. So she can't protest, she can't really question, because the staff isn't trained to take their damned time and communicate with her.

Jules is being swallowed by politics and incompetence. Cross your fingers she gets to Denver with no more damage than she's already encountered in D.C.

Upon learning of this, I quickly got in touch with a lawyer in Washington, DC that specializes in disability rights. I then called GW Hospital about this.

After getting the brunt of transfers to the proper person, I got ahold of Administrator -- before I could talk about this, she muttered which the VRS Operator interpreted: "Oh, I know who you are talking about!"

I expressed my dismay of what is happening, the administrator said that she is not at liberty to discuss about anyone else because of HIPAA law, but the hospital is working to rectifying the problem. I asked her where Jules is. She mentioned that she was discharged to another hospital in Denver.

I then placed a call to Craig Hospital in Denver -- they hadn't admitted anyone by her name. They also said that George Washington University Hospital has not gotten in touch with them about Jules. I do not know where she is as of now.

It is shame that a prominent hospital located in one of America's largest Deaf Communities continues to fail the Deaf patients when they sought for help.

Of course, I'm still on this case as of today. Trying to locate Jules to make sure that she's OK and get some well-deserved care.

UPDATE: Finally got ahold of Jules in Denver area. She is with her mother at Spalding Hospital. Got her connected with the lawyers in DC. As of now, Jules is doing OK and has an interpreter by her side to guide her through the rehabilitation. IN time, the lawyers will be able to get her consent in order to do what is needed to blast GW Hospital for their mistreatment.

R-

Smell The Burnt Scrapple If You Can!

When the sun arose above the tidewater region of Virginia during my youth, there is something about this particular food that makes me wake up immediately on Saturdays. Knowing Mother's cooking habits, she'd make pancakes and throw in the Scrapple as well.

The smell of Scrapple waffled throughout the Taylor household was simply overwhelming that Mom did not have to wake us up. The burnt smell of Scrapple did the trick, really.

Mom made it clear that each sibling gets 2 or 3 slices. But I often took 3 or 4 because I knew Hedy abhorred it. The taste of it is intoxicating. It kinda melts in your mouth, really. But very fatty and greasy, I guess. Maybe that is why I'm like this today.

Few weeks ago, wandering throughout the supermarket with Jason, who seemed to in tune with food shopping -- I dread food shopping. Hell, I dread shopping about anything else. I preferred to find a gay guy who will do it for me. I'll be content with what one has to offer, really! I saw the box of Scrapple sitting on some shelf, it also mentioned that it is one of the Finest in Pennsylvania. Apparently, Scrapple first originated in Philadelphia region -- I asked Jason if he ever had tried that.

He gave me a dirty look and said, "No."

He was not the first one to think like that. Many gave me the dirty look when I said I liked Scrapple. Anyway, I snatched it -- it is been years since I munched that shit -- and later in the week, I sliced it carefully up as many as 15 thin slices and baked it in the oven.

I was hoping that I could munch few before I head out for an appointment with something that you do not need to know. But that was not to be so I instructed Jason to pull it out of the oven.

When I returned from the appointment, there were only 6 left. I smirked and asked Jason if he liked it, he smiled and said, "Yeah, it tasted good."

Go figure.

It may look hideous but it is so fatty and delicious!

Cheers,

R-

Stuff About Gallaudet Drama

GoalPost Picture? Check this.

Goal Post Picture II? Check this.

Funny Comments: DreamLove4 wrote this on her LJ:

WOW! Last night was the wildest ever I saw! All of Gallaudetains went insane and made everything goes so wild as out of the control! They planned to break the goal post down because the club football team record is 9-0 as the undefended team for Gallaudet University. They did try to break the goal post on Saturday night, but their mission was failed because DPS busted them. They still stubborn to annouce everyone to show up at Clerc # 505 for discussing how to break the goal post down w/o DPS bust or whatever bsbsbs... End-up everyone spread out from Clerc and ran toward the football field. Many students already shook the goal post, i meant thousand of gally students helped to break the goal post. First they did struggled, second the goal post was half to go down. That time, dps actually came quickly to try arresting those gally. DPS did arrest some students but they released them because its not fair to arrest too many students. DPS decided to call DC cops! Thats even worse! lol.... Students still mad that they werent finishing to break the goal post down. Got good idea, so gallyers ordered all dorms expect my sweet north ballard dorm sweet to make a false fire alarm to focus CRE/HRE/RA/SRA cannot handle all of us includes DPS/DC cops cannot, too. So, students can go ahead to finish their goal post down! FINALLY ABT THE TIME! THE FIRST GOAL POST WAS DOWN!!!!! All suddenly, DC cops hit one of my friends and called the ambulance! Oh man! It sounds so HUGE DRAMA! But welcome to college life, only i can say that (winkz)... Know what?? gallyers still go ahead to football field to break other goal post down. That time was from 11pm till about 2-4am. THEIR MISSIONS had successful! LOL! I think this is hiliarious because Gallaudet University football isn't yet to be division 3 and will become division 3 in two years later...

Not Amusing One: Zabrina thought it was such memorable event. Stupid gal.

As Expected: It did not surprise me that I'd find the Valencias of Arizona to be part of this drama at the hotel.

One Source From The Inside: Someone told me a while ago that he was disgusted with a freshman emptying the wastebasket right out of his bedroom window on 3rd floor of Ballard West in the broad daylight. One staff confronted this particular student about this appalling behavior. One student shot back in ASL: ME WRONG? NOTHING. I CAN DO THAT!

The way he said it in front of my friend makes him boiling red. This happened last August or September.

Theory(ies)? A friend warned me that the large majority of students that did this came from Maryland School for the Deaf, Model Secondary School for the Deaf and many mainstreaming programs at public schools. One person wondered if the changes in demographics in student body at Gallaudet contributed to the changing of attitudes as well. This is plausible theory.

After all, I already met a kid from Maryland School for the Deaf who lashed out at me just because I do not know where Spring Ridge is. I'm like, "Am I supposed to know where it is?" Later, I found out that Spring Ridge is the subdivision not far from Frederick where well-to-do deaf families resided. Here is the message to folks who lives in Spring Ridge -- who the fuck cares?

The second theory is that there are more students at Gallaudet that has wealthy parents than ever. Normally, Gallaudet has few students whose families are wealthy, but not today -- one said that there are many numbers of students that rented the rooms with no blink or sweat on their foreheads, mainly because they knew their parents will take care of it eventually.

Another Inane Comments: Pr3ttyinpink (Why is that people tend to make up the inane usernames?!) has something to say about Gallaudet.

DC Police showed up more than 5 times in a span of 3-4 hours
-some dude lit up fireworks and got arrested
-one guy got punched by police and went to hospital
-another dude jumped on a cop car and got chased by cops
ALL dorms' fire alarm was pulled repeatly every 30 minutes
the football team and some volunteers tore down the goal posts because we, for first time in 122 years, was undefeated with 9-0!
It was an interesting RIOT last night.

Unrelated to Gallaudet Fiasco: This is even amusing one, hat tip to Trudy for the link. You know, it did not surprise me that it happened in Waco, Texas!

Cheers,

R-

A Message From ... Dr. Jane K. Fernandes

From: Provost Jane Fernandes
To: Student Body
Subject: Recent Campus Incidents
Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2005 20:10:37 -0500

Dear Campus Community,

I am writing to inform you about two recent, very serious incidents involving our students. The incidents are related, and I believe they are warnings of deeper issues on campus that we must deal with directly and immediately.

Homecoming

Following the Homecoming Ball on Saturday, October 22 at the Hyatt Hotel, a number of students returned to the rooms they had rented in the hotel that night, and became loud and boisterous. When asked by hotel management on behalf of guests staying in rooms near the students’ rooms to be quieter, the students rudely refused and instead, made more noise and became more obnoxious. They ran up and down the hallways of the hotel banging on doors at random and shouting obscenities. Hotel guests also had to endure several fire alarms during the night which our students set off.

President Jordan and I have received numerous letters, emails, and calls of complaint from Hyatt officials and guests. One man told of how the constant noise and foul language scared his two daughters to such a degree that they couldn’t sleep for days. The hotel, which had to refund thousands of dollars to the guests whose evening was disrupted, has asked the Student Body Government to reimburse this cost. Needless to say, Hyatt officials and guests do not and will not hold Gallaudet University and its students in high regard for a long time.

An investigation to identify the students who pulled the fire alarms is underway. In addition, the University will not support students’ contracting with any hotel for next year’s Homecoming or any other event. Further, serious consideration is being given to revision of policies which would significantly impact the future of off-campus events.

Goalpost Incident

The most recent incident occurred early this morning when a large group of students tore down both goalposts on the football field. Fortunately, none of the students was injured, though the possibility of someone getting hurt, even killed, was very real. You may know that just two weeks ago a 20 year-old student at the University of Minnesota-Morris died in a similar goalpost incident.

I realize that some consider taking down goalposts a harmless prank or a way to celebrate the success of one’s football team. In actuality, such behavior results in destruction of university property—vandalism—and is potentially very dangerous, which is why no college or university sanctions such an activity. At other universities, football players typically condemn the tearing down of goalposts. However, Gallaudet football players and other students gathered early this morning refused to acknowledge the risk involved when it was explained to them by CREs and DPS and MPD officers on the scene. Instead, a mob mentality took over as a few crowd leaders urged everyone to resist instructions to disperse back to their dormitories. Fire alarms were pulled in all the dormitories forcing students outside where they joined the crowd. Such behavior is not only offensive; it is completely out of order.

University officials are aggressively investigating this incident to determine the students responsible for organizing and encouraging the crowd to ignore campus authorities and destroy campus property. Those found guilty will be penalized, and could be suspended or expelled.

These incidents signal to me a significant lack of respect for other people and their property, complete disregard for public safety, and an astonishing absence of common sense and good judgment. We as a community cannot condone this behavior.

The University’s strategic plan includes a goal which says that Gallaudet promotes an environment where everyone is included, valued, and respected. In order to achieve this goal, we must first be aware of what our students are doing and respond with decisive action. We must set clear expectations that reflect this goal—through our words and our actions and reinforce them at every opportunity.

Sincerely,

Jane K. Fernandes
Provost

True Biz!

Since Gallaudet football team did the improbable run to cap the undefeated season, the surprise and shock rolled throughout the Gallaudet community as well as many Deaf communities across the nation -- that the team did it all. Coach Ed Hottle did it in his first year as Head Coach. How many coaches gets to do the undefeated season in the first year of coaching? And Coach Ed Hottle did it.

And the information from Gallaudet has reached me that the students numbered between 80 to 120 has flocked to Hotchkiss Field and pulled down the goal post, perhaps to celebrate the fact that the team went 8-0.

It was mentioned that some students jumped on Department of Public Safety's cars (DPS) as well.

Remember the football team is not in NCAA Division III, but it is making plans to return to Division III by 2007. Next year, I was told that they plan to schedule 5 Division III schools. Either way, Gallaudet went 8-0 this year, that is what it counts the most. Coach Ed Hottle obviously set the tone for the program on the right track. Perhaps, the next challenge for Coach Ed Hottle is to keep the players stay on the team for four years, not two or one.

I'm relieved that nobody at Gallaudet gets whacked down by the goal post like it did in Minnesota. I guess by Monday morning, the faculty would shake their heads, "See? Freshmen lack the civility once again."

What a life. C'est la vie!

Congratulations, Coach Ed Hottle and Gallaudet Gridders.

UPDATE: It was reported that about 350 students participated in taking down not one but two goal posts. It was said that the University is exploring to take action on several students -- they also triggered the fire alarms in all dorms. It brought the DC Police and SWAT team into the university -- several students were arrested.

Cheers,

R-

Ridor's First PollHost

Does Rayni Looks Like Marilyn Monroe In This Picture?
	Yes!
	You wish!
	No friggin' way!
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Kaybee In STUMPS

If you are in New York or will be in New York, I'd love for one of you to check this out and write a report on this -- be sure to email me at Ridor9th@gmail.com -- if the Fates smiled upon me, I might check this out in early November. Either way, my dear, good, nutty, smart and talented friend, Kate Breen is going to be part of off-broadway play called STUMPS. It is being directed/written by Mark Medoff, the author/creator of Children of a Lesser God.

Please be aware of this -- Kate Breen has her own blogsite called "Urban versus Rural" and Darren Frazier is a great person whom I finally got to know not a long time ago in New York. I knew him for years at Gallaudet but did not bother to befriend him at all. But last spring, I finally bumped into him and he was nice fellow.

Break legs, Darren and Kaybee!

Cheers,

R-

* * *

"STUMPS"

It is about 2 Vietnam Veterans who want to make a high-class movie with explicit sex--to go a step beyond THE LAST TANGO. They elicit the interest of the young porn star FAWN SIERRA who arrives to Austin, TX for a creative reading with her manager CALVIN RHODES, a "gentleman" who may be an ordinary minister or an evil incarnate.

This will be a "shadowed" show (every night) where each of the five actors are paired with both hearing and Deaf actors/interpreters: (Deaf) DARREN FRAZIER, KATE BREEN...(hearing) PAMELA MITCHELL, PAUL SAVAS...co-performing the roles.

No one under 16 years of age w/o guardian - there are sexual and violent moments in the play.

Tickets: Opening night, October 26th - $25.00
October 27th to November 13th - $15.00

Tickets on sale now at www.smarttix.com, or call 212 868 4444 or can contact Pamela Mitchell at awesomearmsme@aol.com to make reservations.

Dates: October 26 through November 13, 2005, Wednesdays through Sunday nights at 8:00 pm sharp.

Place:
The Pelican Studio Theater
750 8th Avenue, Suite 601
(Bet 46th and 47th street)
NY, NY

Subway: Any train to 42nd Street Times Square