| Woman, Ignored, Dies in Hospital Waiting Room |
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You watch a woman thrash around on the floor in a hospital waiting room. What do you do? If you were a patient or employee of Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, you did nothing. Video released yesterday of the Hospital shows a 49 year old psychiatric patient fall to the floor, finally go still, and then the hour that passes before someone does anything about it. A new lawsuit against the hospital alleges neglect and abuse of its mental patients. You hear stories from time to time about people getting hit by cars and no one doing anything about it. Self defense classes have taught that if you're attacked in the streets, never yell "Help!" but rather "Fire!" "Help" is a dangerous invitation, and obligates a stranger, which turns them away. "Fire" gets people to come running because it means there is a show. So what is with people not helping out? I'm not sure I'm so good at it, either. At a party over the weekend, conversation came to a screeching halt when the sound of squeeling tires, breaks, and the crunch of a car crash was heard outside on a residential street. A few people, myself included, went running to see what had happened. I wonder, if instead of a small car crash, a woman had been heard screaming for help, would the same number of people run to see? Bet not. Many would have retreated because of the threat. I also realize that many people did not hustle toward the street to see if anyone needed help in the accident. They just wanted to see the wreck. If you saw someone get mugged, would you help or hide? If a patient thrashes on the floor before you, do you risk danger to yourself to touch the person? Do you let the staff know she's not well, or do you assume they already know about her because after all this is a hospital? I think people are too quick to judge the aid not given in some situations. It's human nature to look after your own well-being, and sometimes we're not as gutsy as we think we are. But does this ever excuse it? No. The flip side to all this? Sometimes, people do the right thing: Teenager Thomas Foust pulls elderly woman from her car before it's hit by a train. Surveillance Video and of the Waiting Room in Kings County Hospital here. Comments (7)
hero story
written by Jess J, July 02, 2008
I'm a big sap - I cried when I first heard about the teenager/train story.
saleslady
written by camiller, July 07, 2008
folks are too concerned about themselves. The golden rule is being over looked by greed and selfisness. We shoe this to small children and by example what will they be!
that's why I moved to a small town
written by kathee koch, July 07, 2008
I moved from Long Island because it was too BIG CITY - In Tennessee, where I had my acquired -brain -injured son of 43 years old, he would lie on the front lawn (about the size of one acre) and people would stop their cars and ask if was ok. He said "yes, I just wanted to speak with someone, thank you"
that's the INdiffernce of living in Brooklyn - I wish I was here 45 years ago. Nothing like a small town for caring,God-fearing people and those who help each other even strangers - Thank God, I found Cookeville - a shangrila.
Smalls Towns/Teenage Hero
written by Angie, July 07, 2008
I cried when I read the story of Thomas Foust. That was brave! He deserves to be honored. Also, we moved from a town where the people could have cared less about you, to a town that people will help you, even if they don't know you, they still help. We live in a great town! I love it here!
one of my poems
written by Kate Garcia, July 07, 2008 CRAZYDRUNKLADY Mrs. Gertrude Spatz is recovering from a heart attack in Boston City Hospital after spending six hours at the MBTA station in a coma. People thought she was drunk. Look at that CRAZYDRUNKLADY stretched across the floor. Whatever happened to dignity? You can’t find it any more. She should think of us, the public. We must use the station too. It’ harder to avoid people that are sick; we healthy ones are far too few. ... my chest hurts and I’m fainting. When’s my Ella coming to meet me? These people keep staring at me like I’m crazy. They’ll soon see I’m in trouble and get a doctor… but one’s even coming near. How many “crazy drunk ladies” will be left to die? by Kate Garcia
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Kate
Oh, so you’re reading my bio? Now I’m blushing. I’m 24, a recent college grad, and blog about everything and anything I come across. The last 5 years of my life (yes, I took the scenic route through college) have been populated with tremendous learning experiences, interesting people, and aspirations to make it as a best-selling writer. I hope we have some good conversations here. Welcome to Daily Cents!