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'My dog had a better death than Lisa, who died screaming in pain'
Sophie Goodchild, Health Editor24 Mar 2009
Mary Sharpe remembers her daughter Lisa as a "very happy young woman".
But the 21-year-old who had cerebral palsy and learning difficulties, died in agony "crying and screaming" after days in pain. Mrs Sharpe said: "You wouldn't leave an animal to suffer like that. My dog had a better death than my daughter."
In 2001, Lisa underwent an operation but her health deteriorated two years later. Doctors admitted her to Basildon hospital. Tests failed to reveal what was wrong with her and she died on 7 February 2004.Her family discovered she had been denied the drug diamorphine for her pain.
The hospital says Lisa died from pneumonia as well as cerebral palsy but Mrs Sharpe says: "When we pressed the doctor on why Lisa was dying he said: 'This is just what happens when they're handicapped.' When I was telling them: 'This isn't right,' why didn't they listen?"
Reader views (3)
I'm very sorry that your daughter had to suffer needlessly and I'm also sorry for your loss.
My 7 year old granddaughter with CP had a similar experience last year when she underwent surgery on both legs. She had excruciating pain shortly after the surgery and we learned a couple days later that the nurse was only administering half the dosage of pain medication that the doctor had prescribed. Fortunately, the surgery was a success and my granddaughter continues to be a beautiful little girl, but I feel many times doctors and nurses become so callous in their environment that the pain and the needs of their patients are neglected and not taken seriously.
- Brenda, Bloomington, USA, 24/03/2009 15:10
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I am so sorry for your loss; this is such an unnecessary tragedy. People with Cerebral Palsy suffer enough without adding to it. I have a 7 year old grandson with severe CP, his mother has to fight for everything for him, right down to the formula he needs for his mere survival. We can only hope someday the people in charge will learn to have compassion and a little bit of sympathy.
- Terry Eldred, Cortland, USA, 24/03/2009 12:04
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I went through a similar experience with my 16 year old little boy who had profound CP. It took him five hours of struggling to die. You would not let an animal suffer in that way, so why do we stand and watch it happen to children?
- Andrew Brereton, Exeter. UK, 24/03/2009 12:03
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