Comments on: Disabled Woman Dies at Camp After Given Wrong Medication

By: Navidad

Navidad — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:33:36 +0000

re: whether or not mental abilities had to do with it.

They did.

Since I can’t tell what’s wrong w/ tristan, and he can’t tell me, I take him to the dr frequently, unless the symptoms are typical (like his seasonal allergies). He went to urgent care after puking in the car, because he’d also had bloody noses, even though I had scheduled an appt. Turns out it was just a sinus infection, but I preferred safe over sorry.

In this case, it seems that this woman couldn’t say how she felt, so they did nothing, instead of taking precautions.

By: Regan

Regan — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:30:37 +0000

Have been thinking about DAY camp with an aide for Charlie next summer but with his meds and other needs, sleepaway camp may not be good (for my nerves, at least).

Day camps often have multiple sessions, and at least around here, sometimes a “sleepaway” day is offered. That might be a way to put a toe in the water and see how it goes.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:52:36 +0000

I think it’s how Hjelseth responded (out of panic and fear..) that troubles me most. It was a terrible mistake (that’s an understatement) but acknowledgeing it could have made a difference.

Have been thinking about DAY camp with an aide for Charlie next summer but with his meds and other needs, sleepaway camp may not be good (for my nerves, at least).

By: mayfly

mayfly — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:14:11 +0000

I don’t view Hjelseth as a person who de-valued those for whom she provided services.

I suspect all camp staff had been told of the tenuous position past wrongs had placed the camp, and any further problems would force closure.

Then Hjelseth gives Ms Meade the wrong medication. Perhaps the death knell for the camp founded by her father was tolling in her head. She decides not to report it while praying, imploring, beseeching God that Ms Meade pulls through.

Ms Meade did not and now, aided by hindsight, Hjelseth probably cannot believe she made a decision/ decision which based on what’s known at this time cost Ms Meade her life.

But the motive in this case has no bearing Hjelseth appears to have been grossly negligent. The charge of wreckless homicide seems appropriate.

By: Bonnie Sayers

Bonnie Sayers — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:08:27 +0000

This is so sad. I would not send either of my kids to a sleep away camp, just not comfortable with it, even for the HFA kid, since he is 13 too many dangers lurking.

By: Owl

Owl — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:50:50 +0000

I also disagree that disability had nothing to do with it. Someone who isn’t disabled being put into that situation could self advocate against a mistake like that and be able to better monitor the drugs they were being administered. Lets say I go a hospital and they put an IV in my arm and then suddenly say “oops” and start acting kind of nervous I can pressure them to tell me whats going on till they answer and I demand treatment. If I can’t self advocate, the hapless nurse doesn’t have to face ANYONE regarding their mistake including me if they don’t want to. The kind of person who if left to their own devices will ignore their mistakes and keep others from finding out about them are have a lot more safeguards on them if the people they are treating are able to self advocate and question their performance.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:46:19 +0000

Kristina- Most camps have very highly-trained people administering medication to children with lots of double-checking and safeguards in place. If nothing else, no camp can afford to be insured without those procedures.

Unfortunately medication errors happen everywhere- they certainly happen in doctors’ offices and in schools and hospitals. The difference here seems to be that the woman DIDN”T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I’m glad that she’s being charged with homicide.

By: Regan

Regan — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:19:48 +0000

I doubt Ms Meade’s mental abilities had anything to do with it.

I disagree. I have read too many narratives about people with cognitive disabilities in institutional or organized settings being ignored or discounted when suffering from critical illnesses to buy that. Some of the stories are quite heartbreaking and cautionary.

I agree that there are probably many camps that provide wonderful experiences. Trade Lake Camp does not seem to have been one of those.

By: mayfly

mayfly — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:30:06 +0000

I wouldn’t let this incident scare you from sending Charlie to a “sleepaway” camp.
There are many which provide wonderful times for our children.

It seems Hjelseth was more worried about bring reprimanded for her mistake than the life of Ms. Meade.

I doubt Ms Meade’s mental abilities had anything to do with it.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:57:43 +0000

@Regan, sorry was not able to respond till now—-sadly, this story makes me once again very dubious about sleepaway camp for Charlie; he does take medication and what if someone gave him the wrong ones?