Latest news with #Down
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Family of 19-Year-Old Grace Schara takes hospital to court in landmark wrongful death case
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – In a case that has captivated the community and raised profound questions about medical ethics, the trial concerning the wrongful death of 19-year-old Grace Schara commenced on Tuesday in Outagamie County court. The young woman, who had Down syndrome, died at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton in 2021 after contracting COVID-19. The Schara family has launched a civil lawsuit against the hospital, alleging medical negligence, violations of informed consent, and battery. Wisconsin DNR: Limit time outside due to Canadian wildfire smoke As opening statements unfolded Tuesday morning, the parents of Grace argued that their daughter was administered a combination of medications—precedex, lorazepam, and morphine—without their knowledge or consent. They contend that these drugs, rather than complications from COVID-19, led to Grace's respiratory distress and ultimately her untimely death. The family only discovered a 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order had been placed on Grace's chart when she was already in critical condition, prompting concerns that medical staff had failed to honor their last-minute request to change her DNR status. The case marks a significant moment in legal history, as it is the first to challenge the designation of COVID-19 as the primary cause of death on a death certificate. The hospital, however, has firmly denied the allegations, asserting that Grace received appropriate care from a team of medical professionals and that her deterioration was a natural progression of her illness. 'Nothing is urgent enough to destroy their life': Sheriff in Wisconsin catches driver going 105 mph in a 55 zone During the trial, plaintiff attorney Warner Mendenhall emphasized the alarming sequence of events leading to Grace's decline, stating, 'Instead of recognizing the life-threatening situation and reducing the medications causing the problems, this medical team did the opposite.' In contrast, defense attorney Jason John Franckowiak argued that the claims are based on misunderstandings surrounding Grace's care, asserting that the medical team acted within the accepted standard of care. Defense attorney Randall also addressed the court, saying, 'We believe the evidence will show that Dr. Shokar's care and treatment of Grace Schara on October 12th and 13th of 2021, met the standard of care that applied.' The emotional weight of the trial is compounded by the heartbreaking testimony from Grace's mother, Cindy Schara, who recalled her daughter's vibrant spirit and artistic talents. 'She was so talented when it came to coloring, and she loved to leave notes for people,' Cindy reflected. 'She learned how to play violin, she was a dancer, she was an actor, she loved to be in plays, our home-schooled plays.' Wisconsin Department of Transportation warning residents of fake DMV link scams As the trial unfolds, it is expected to last up to 3 weeks, drawing attention to critical issues surrounding informed consent and the rights of patients and their families in the healthcare system. The outcome of this landmark case could have far-reaching implications for how medical decisions are made, especially during a public health crisis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Star
4 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Treasure hunt to raise funds for kids with Down syndrome
Children from Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation performing at the pre-launch of the Kiwanis Motor Treasure Hunt in Petaling Jaya. —Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star THE annual Kiwanis Motor Treasure Hunt by Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur (KCKL) is heading to the beach for its 42nd edition. This year's event will take participants from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, to Tanjung Bungah, Penang, from July 26 to 28. Held since 1984, it is unofficially the 'longest running motor treasure hunt event' in the country, said organising chairman Joanne Sin. 'Last year, we managed to raise RM350,000. This year's target is RM400,000. 'Proceeds from the treasure hunt will go towards supporting Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation's (KDSF) Early Intervention Programme and therapies for children with Down syndrome aged six months to six years. Lim (right) with Sin at the pre-launch event. 'The KDSF vision is to create equal opportunity and a healthy learning environment that removes all labels to allow children with Down syndrome to have a fair chance in education and be able to attain their fullest potential.' Sin said the non-governmental organisation had raised RM310,000 from sponsors, on top of collections from donations and advertisement space sales in the souvenir programme. She was speaking at a pre-launch event at KDSF National Centre in Petaling Jaya. Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei, who was present, praised the initiative. Sin says KCKL has raised RM310,000 from sponsors, on top of collections from donations and advertisement space sales. 'This treasure hunt also serves as a platform for raising awareness, building community and celebrating these individuals,' said Lim. Founded in 1989, the national centre offers services such as sensory integration intervention, autism movement therapy, rhythmic movement training and water-specific therapy. Over 2,000 children have benefitted from KDSF's programmes to date. KCKL president Chan Kin Hou said operating costs increased in recent years, while fundraising has become more challenging. 'Our annual operating costs of around RM1.2mil covers therapy services, educational programmes, facilities and staff.' Sin said the three-day treasure hunt promised to be 'a brain-teasing adventure and community bonding experience'. Chan says the annual operating costs of RM1.2mil covers therapy services, educational programmes, facilities and staff. She added that they plan to step up the treasure hunt's challenges. It will start at KDSF National Centre on July 26 and finish in Penang on the same day. The winners will be announced the next day, followed by a prize-giving dinner and family oriented activities. A total of 24 teams have signed up, with 36 slots still available. Registration closes on July 4 or when all slots are filled up. Entry fees are based on the room arrangement at Hotel Mercure Penang in Tanjung Bungah. For details and registration, visit
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Grace Schera's family wants jury to decide hospital caused her death, not COVID-19. What to know about the case.
The circumstances of the death of a young Wisconsin woman, whose story has been visible on billboards in Outagamie County for years, went on trial June 2. Grace Schara died at age 19 in October 2021, after being admitted to Ascension NE Wisconsin-St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton for symptoms of COVID-19. Her father filed a wrongful death lawsuit a year and a half later. Here's what to know about the case and trial. More: COVID, conspiracy theories and a billboard campaign: Grace Schara's hospital death finally sees trial Grace Schara was the youngest of three children. She had Down syndrome, and loved drawing, singing, dancing and Elvis Presley. Grace was 19 when she died Oct. 13, 2021, seven days after being admitted to Ascension NE Wisconsin-St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton for symptoms of COVID-19. She died from COVID-19 complications, according to the hospital. Her parents believe she died as a result of actions taken by hospital staff, and have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. Grace's father, Scott Schara, leased multiple billboards along Interstate 41 and other highways in Outagamie and surrounding counties. The messages and photos change, but some include: 'Have innocent lives been stolen by medical malpractice or murder?' 'Was Grace given a lethal combination of meds at St. Elizabeth's hospital? Intentional? Who's next?' Now self-proclaimed 'medical murder' expert, Schara believes the government and medical community have worked together to hasten the deaths of thousands of people, particularly the disabled and elderly. He's spread these views on the billboards and a related website, Their lawsuit is a wrongful death claim. Their lawsuit includes claims of medical negligence, violation of informed consent and battery. In the family's lawsuit, they say Grace was given precedex, lorazepam and morphine without their knowledge or consent, and that it was this trio of drugs — not complications from COVID-19 — that caused Grace's body to go into respiratory distress. And, their lawsuit claims, it wasn't until Grace was in respiratory distress that the family learned a "do not resuscitate' order had been placed on her chart — which directs medical staff not to perform any life-saving measures if a patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. Their lawsuit names defendants Ascension Health, doctor Gavin Shokar and nurse Hollee McInnis as defendants. Other doctors, nurses and medical professionals were dismissed from the lawsuit. The hospital argues that injuries or damages sustained by the Schara family may be the result of their own negligence or decision-making, and that Grace's condition may have been the result of a pre-existing condition or the result of a natural disease progression beyond the control of the hospital staff. The hospital also argues the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act provided immunity from liability for certain individuals and entities during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to court documents. Ascension spokesperson Victoria Schmidt said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that while the hospital is unable to comment on ongoing legal matters, 'we have full confidence in the legal proceedings.' Jury selection began Monday, June 2. Opening arguments took place Tuesday, June 3. Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark McGinnis reserved four weeks for the trial. During the trial, up to 22 witnesses may testify. Eight of those people are experts on various topics, McGinnis said at jury selection Monday. Others testifying will include Grace's parents, Scott and Cindy Schara, and defendants Dr. Gavin Shokar, Grace's doctor, and Hollee McInnis, a nurse. The trial will be live-streamed by Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now the nation's health secretary. The public can attend in-person at Outagamie County Courthouse, but may have to sit in an overflow room because of limited capacity. The case is the first to challenge COVID-19 as the cause of death listed on a death certificate. Family and supporters view it as a chance to hold the medical profession responsible for hospital deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The case could also set a precedent that bypasses the state's medical-malpractice cap. A wrongful death case can apply to any cause of death, but if that death is due to medical care, there are limitations on who can file such a case and the amount of damages that can be paid out. Attaching the medical battery claim to the lawsuit is an attempt 'to kick the case outside the realm of medical malpractice limitations," said Jerome Hierseman, with Milwaukee-based End, Hierseman & Crain, a medical malpractice for the family believe it is also the first medical battery claim attached to a wrongful death lawsuit to be tried in Wisconsin in the past 50 years. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Grace Schara trial: What to know about disputed COVID-19 death
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Global Down Syndrome Foundation & Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network Sign Multi-Year Collaboration Agreement
Global Down Syndrome Foundation Global Down Syndrome Foundation Denver, Stillwater, Minn, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) and Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) are proud to announce a multi-year collaboration agreement to educate moms of children with Down syndrome – particularly those in the early years – about important medical care resources and research opportunities. The agreement builds on GLOBAL and DSDN's past five year collaboration and ensures hundreds of DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat attendees can continue to participate in the GLOBAL Research & Medical Care Roundtable (GLOBAL Roundtable) as a free benefit. It also provides new collaboration and support for DSDN's core parent resources, including peer-to-peer support groups and online communities hosted in the DSDN App, where families connect by birth year, co-occurring conditions, and shared identities. The GLOBAL Roundtable has educated over 900 moms of infants and young children on cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, clinical trials, medical best practices and more. Surveys associated with the GLOBAL Roundtable consistently average 4.8 out of 5, highlighting its impact. Anyone who has registered for the DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat can register for the GLOBAL Roundtable for free. This year's DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat will be held in Pine Mountain, Georgia from September 19-20. The GLOBAL Roundtable includes welcome remarks from DSDN Executive Director, Melissa Shutwell, GLOBAL President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten, and GLOBAL Vice President for Research and Medical Care, Bryn Gelaro. Below is the 2025 GLOBAL Roundtable panel of renowned Down syndrome experts: Joaquín Espinosa, PhD, Executive Director, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (Crnic Institute) – Dr. Espinosa will discuss the latest research topics (including the first pediatric immune system dysregulation Jak Inhibitor clinical trial) from the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd, Director, Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children's Hospital Colorado – Dr. Baumer will provide an overview of neurodevelopmental conditions (including Autism, ADHD) in early childhood and ways to support. Emily McCourt, MD, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – Dr. McCourt will discuss the eye care needs for children with Down syndrome during their first few years of age (including keratoconus, strabismus, and glaucoma). Sujata Bardhan, MS, PhD, Program Director in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Dr. Bardhan will discuss The NIH INCLUDE Project: Accelerating Research Discoveries for People with Down Syndrome Across the Lifespan (including potential for families to get involved and participate). 'DSDN has supported more than 25,000 parents through our online peer-to-peer support groups over the past 10 years and has welcomed over 3,000 moms to our annual Rockin' Mom Retreats,' says DSDN Executive Director and mom to a 9-year-old with Down syndrome, Melissa Shutwell. 'The Rockin' Mom Retreat is a chance to connect, recharge, and be inspired—and thanks to GLOBAL's support, it's also a space where attendees can stay informed about the latest research and medical care for their children. The GLOBAL Roundtable is a favorite among many of our moms, and we're grateful to continue this collaboration to keep such a valuable resource at the heart of our retreat for years to come.' 'We have supported DSDN from its very early years, and we are amazed and impressed at how fast the organization has grown,' says Michelle Sie Whitten, GLOBAL President & CEO, and parent of a young adult with Down syndrome. 'The information and network they provide for moms and families is so important and we are proud to be a part of that. Any mom who hasn't attended a Rockin' Mom Retreat should absolutely check it out!' 'Every year it is exciting to work with Melissa and her team and bring together world-renowned Down syndrome experts to speak at the DSDN Rockin' Mom Retreat GLOBAL Roundtable,' says Bryn Gelaro, GLOBAL Vice President of Research & Medical Care. 'While the complimentary mimosa or sangria makes things fun, these moms are super smart and contribute so much to the conversation. I'm convinced this not only helps their own children but their local communities as well.' To learn more about the DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat, visit ### About the DSDN The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) is the leading organization dedicated to supporting families who receive a Down syndrome diagnosis for their child. Since 2014, DSDN has supported more than 25,000 families through peer-to-peer support, medical condition-specific groups, educational resources, and community-building experiences. DSDN creates safe, inclusive spaces for parents to share their experiences, access real-time support, and build lifelong relationships that strengthen their ability to care for both their children and themselves. In addition to its robust parent network, DSDN is a national leader in improving the Down syndrome diagnosis experience. The organization partners with healthcare professionals to provide training, resources, and direct feedback from families to ensure that diagnoses are delivered with empathy, accuracy, and immediate access to support. Through this work, DSDN is helping raise the standard for how Down syndrome diagnoses are shared and received. DSDN is best known for its vibrant online support groups and its annual Rockin' Mom® and Rockin' Dad™ Retreats, which have welcomed thousands of parents for weekends of connection, rest, and inspiration. Learn more at and follow DSDN on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. About Global Down Syndrome Foundation The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL established the first Down syndrome research institute and supports over 400 scientists and over 2,500 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 100 Down syndrome organizations worldwide, and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the GLOBAL Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at Denver Health. GLOBAL's widely circulated medical publications include Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information, and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome World TM. GLOBAL also organizes the annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington DC, and the annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit and follow us on social media Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Attachments Global Down Syndrome Foundation Global Down Syndrome Foundation CONTACT: Anca E. Call Global Down Syndrome Foundation (720) 320-3832 acall@ Bryn Gelaro Global Down Syndrome Foundation (410) 522-8035 bgelaro@ while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Kingdom braced for 'ultra defensive' Cavan - but early throw-in is a bonus
WAYNE Quillinan and his Kerry minor squad travel to Portlaoise to face Cavan on Saturday knowing what the will face from the Breffni lads - a well-drilled, defensive structure the Munster champions will have to break down with patience. "I suppose the beauty as you go on into the competition, is you get a chance to get (to see) games. So we've got three games with Cavan - against Down, Donegal and Tyrone the last day, Quillinan said. "So we spent Sunday and Monday going through Cavan. They do play ultra defensive, and they defend the arc with their 11 bodies, 12 including the keeper. So it's going to lead to a different kind of game plan. "Cavan are going to be they're ultra defensive, they're really well coached. In fairness, they're really, really well coached. They're really hard to break down. They will break a pace there. Obviously with the numbers back protecting the arc. 'They're looking for turnovers. They're looking to break a pace. They have two really good midfielders in Sam Maguire and Faoláin Graham, and they have three really good guys in the three up with Jake Brady, Nathan Quigley, and Mark Reilly. Obviously every team in the country are going to look to transition the ball as fast as you possibly can. But if you're not allowed that, then with 11 behind the arc, you have to be controlled. And that's where I think a huge learning from the Munster final was how mature they were and how controlled they were in their performance. And hopefully, we'll have learned and even bettered that now for next Saturday,' he said. Looking back on that Cork performance in the provincial decider, Quillinan had a word of warning for Cork's quarter final opponents, and All-Ireland favourites, Tyrone: 'I think Cork are a fine team, and I think they'll put it up to Tyrone this weekend. 'It wasn't a complete performance, by any stretch of the imagination. We were good in patches, and then we let Cork back into it. If you look back at us, even around the middle eight, we weren't as good as we needed to be. "Our one to one battles at the back weren't as good as they needed to be. And while I know we were fairly economical in front of goals, in the first half we felt there were two or three chances that with players in those situations, the score should have been taken. Overall we were happy, but it wasn't a complete performance. It was more patchy than anything else, and we have to get that right for Saturday." On the early 12pm starting time in Portlaoise, Quillinan had an interesting take: I'm delighted with it. I think it's an absolutely brilliant time. We'll travel up on Friday, but your experience not only just with the minor teams, even with club teams over the years is the more time you spend in the hotel, that's where you burn nervous energy. Whereas with the game now at 12 o'clock, and where we're staying, it's about 45 minutes away. So it's less time in the morning, more time for preparation the night before, so I'm delighted with the time."
