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READER
RESPONSE I was both shocked and saddened when I heard of the treatment of Miss Ruth Moulon (a.k.a Ruthie The Duck Girl/Lady) as regards her caregivers not allowing her to attend her birthday party. I cannot understand why the very people who are charged with her care should deny her the right to remain active in the community. Having attended last year's birthday party (and having driven from St. Louis MO. to do so) I remember with great fondness the respect and dignity, not to mention love, with which Miss Moulon was treated by the members of the community that she, in turn, loved so well. And when I think of the sheer joy in her face - well, it remains one of my favorite and most poignant of New Orleans memories. As an Activity Director, certified in the state of Missouri, I can't help but question the motivation of Miss Moulon's caregivers. If, indeed, her responsible party only has authority over Miss Moulon's medical treatment then the decision whether or not to attend a birthday party thrown in her honor is solely Miss Moulon's. If the nursing staff feels that Miss Moulon's behavior is difficult and combative upon returning from such a function, then we must question whether or not the staff is actually qualified to care for nursing home patients with whom such behavior is an everyday occurence. I do understand that Miss Moulon is something of a local celebrity and I can certainly appreciate the facility's desire to protect her privacy, however when protecting privacy violates a patient's right to remain active in the community then one must question which end is better served. One also wonders where are the state authorities and are they aware that the facility is violating their patients' rights? As a Certified Activity Director (CAD) I can say with all confidence that a much-loved person in a nursing home resident population would be a boon to public relations. Public relations usually falls to the CAD or Social Services Director (who are often one person wearing two hats) and it is foolhardy to pass up an opportunity to involve the community in such an activity. It would better serve the facility to participate in the planning of the event (whether the event is held in the facility or out in some other community venue) thereby involving the other residents while at the same time working to increase the public's awareness that nursing homes are not populated by a bunch of zombies whose only highlight in life is a weekly bingo game. Instead, what the staff of St. Charles Healthcare has succeeded in doing is perpetuate the negative images of nursing homes that are locked in the public's mind and thereby damage the reputations of well-staffed, competant nursing facilities who provide, not only day-to-day maintenance, but strive to help their residents be the best they are capable of being. It is a shame that the many are tarnished by the few. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish Miss Moulon a very happy birthday and offer, as my birthday wish for her, the hope that her caregivers work harder at helping her to enjoy a meaningful life rather than restrain her so that they, themselves, may enjoy the path of least resistance. From Randall Bibb I am saddened and damn mad at the article that I just read about Ruthie. She is a celebrity and a much loved figure by all who know her. She is so adorable and full of life. I think somone should contact an attorney and look out for Ruthie's rights. St. Charles Health Care is not supposed to be a mental facility to hold people prisioners. As a geriatric therapist, I know only too well what great benefit the guests would have meant to Ruthie. After all, most people who enter nursing homes are soon forgotten and left to wither away so alone. I hope that somehow Ruthie will know how much she is loved by so many. She was an icon of the French Quarter and all who came into contact with her loved her and adored her. I hope someone, perhaps her cousins, will have her removed from that prison. With Much Love and Affection to Miss Ruthie, Luke A. Chiniche, Jr. Although I don't know the Duck Lady, I think it's a sad day in America when friends are prohibited from having a party with a dear and loving lady like Ruthie -- at a time when so many of the elderly are forgotten about. Warehoused in these institutions, lonely and without someone who REALLY cares for them. Truly saddened, Patrick Mc Knight Do you have feedback about the Ruthie Birthday Debacle? Email us! |
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