A Virginia family is fighting for the life of their 2-year-old daughter after staffers of the Richmond hospital at which the girl has been on a ventilator said she probably is brain dead, cannot recover and should be taken off of life support, according to Christian Newswire.
"She's a beautiful little girl," her father told reporters. "She deserves a chance. That's all we want is for her to have a chance."
WTVR News 6 reports Mirranda Grace Lawson choked on a piece of popcorn on May 11. Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center (VCU) doctors said the toddler meets the criteria for brain death, and they want to do a brain test to confirm the prognosis. However, a brain death diagnosis likely would result in Mirranda's ventilator being removed, and her family wants to give her a chance to recover.
The girl's parents, Patrick and Alison Lawson, took the hospital to court this month, asking for more time for their daughter. A judge granted the family's request for more time, stating Mirranda's case was too sensitive to make a quick decision and delayed the case for 10 days.
Patrick Lawson told CBS 6 they are working to find a new hospital that will agree to treat Mirranda. They also asked the judge to require the hospital to provide thyroid treatments, which could help the 2-year-old girl to recover, the Lawsons' lawyer Phillip Menke said.
Mirranda has outlived her original prognosis points out Christian Newswire, relaying the girl is moving in response to her parents' voice and requiring less medication now to remain stable than she did when she first arrived at VCU.
An online fundraising effort was launched for the family at www.gofundme.com/pray4miranda
The Lawson's niece stated online, "We have continued trust in God's will and every turn that we have taken has given little Mirranda more time to recover. Thank you for your continued prayers."
Mirranda's parents voiced to the hospital staff they wish to care for their daughter at home. According to Christian Newswire, hospital representatives refuse to provide Mirranda with the breathing and feeding tubes she needs to be eligible for home care.
Hospital representatives allegedly complained about the cost of Mirranda's care, which is being paid for by insurance and copayments provided by the Lawsons. However, Christian Newswire reports if VCU would provide the procedures Mirranda needs to be transferred, she could be moved to a "step-down" or sub-acute care facility or to her home -- all options less expensive than intensive care.
Mirranda is not being provided with adequate nutrition or the treatment protocol she needs to provide the best chance of healing her brain, according to Christian Newswire. The Lawsons also noted issues with the cleanliness of the equipment currently being used on Mirranda. They feel as if the hospital is treating their daughter as a non-person, reports Christian Newswire.
Mirranda's parents are working with an attorney through the Life Legal Defense Foundation to ensure their daughter gets the care she needs. However, the hospital is pushing back and has expressed its intent to withdraw Mirranda's life support as soon as possible.
