Kennedy's Law

One year ago, May 27th 2004, I lost my daughter due to malpractice and neglect between two doctors, four nurses. I gave birth four months early to a baby girl weighing 1 lb, 9 oz, her name is Kennedy. The doctors explained to me that she was having problems breathing due to her under developed lungs, however she was holding her own very well and expected to make it. She was airlifted to the regional neo-natal unit where she would be cared for better than the local hospital where she was born. I was assured that her condition had not changed; this was only a precaution because of how early she was born. After being at the hospital for 10 hours the doctors called me into the office with a very solemn look on their face.





There was nothing more they could do. Kennedy was too small and under-developed to survive. For the next few hours I cherished every moment I had with her, I held her, I kissed her, I rocked her, and I memorized everything about her. 33 hours after her birth, my daughter lost her life.





An autopsy was done and concluded that my daughter died due to problems with her heart. Two days later I received a call from my doctor questioning me about her care at the neo-natal unit. My daughter had no problems with her heart; she was being treated for under developed lungs. When she got on the helicopter to head to the neo-natal unit, her charts were mixed up and from then on she was treated for heart problems.





My daughter died because three people didn't take the time to make sure what they were doing was right, my life has been a living hell ever since. So many other families have gone through this very same thing and it has to stop. Doctors and nurses need to be held more responsible for the actions they take, especially when it results in death.





I had my day in court; the money I received will NOT bring Kennedy back to me and my family. I don't want anymore families to go through this. I should not have had to go to court and relive everything just to make a deal. The two nurses and one doctor should have lost their license right away; why should they get a second chance? Kennedy didn't.





Please sign my petition and help "Kennedy's law" be passed. Help me fight before anymore families lose a loved one due to malpractice and neglect.