Chapter 12 - The court gets involved
No one took Willa away from me.
That matters.
A child-protection report was made by a hospital social worker after reviewing the long delay in recommended rehabilitation and the proposed invasive procedure.
Not abuse by itself.
Medical decision disputes happen.
But because:
I had rejected multidisciplinary evaluation.
A private surgeon proposed an investigational implant.
Foundation financial conflicts existed.
Willa had expressed wishes that were filtered through adults.
The county juvenile court approved an independent medical review under a limited protective process.
I remained Willa’s father.
Legal guardian.
Primary caregiver.
No one accused me of wanting her harmed.
The court appointed a guardian ad litem, Felicia Moore, to represent Willa’s best interests during the medical conflict.
I hated it.
Then appreciated it later.
Felicia interviewed Willa without me.
Asked what she wanted.
Not:
Do you want to walk?
That question was too loaded.
She asked:
“Do you want to continue this rehabilitation program?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want the spinal implant Dr. Venn discussed?”
“No.”
“Do you understand what it is?”
“Mostly.”
“Did anyone explain risks?”
“Dad said it might help.”
“Did you feel pressured?”
“Not by Dad. Aunt Delaney made it sound like I could be the first kid treated at my own institute.”
My stomach dropped.
I had never heard that.
Then Felicia interviewed me.
“Would you consent to implant now?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because two independent specialists say rehabilitation should come first.”
“Would you have two months ago?”
“Yes.”
There.
Then:
“Do you accept that Willa’s wishes should carry meaningful weight at fourteen?”
“Yes.”
“Always?”
“No. She’s fourteen.”
Felicia smiled.
“Good.”
Nuance.
Court order:
Continue multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
No elective invasive neuromodulation procedure without concurrence of two independent pediatric specialists and informed assent from Willa, absent emergency.
I retained medical authority otherwise.
No special guardian replacing me.
No aunt taking control.
Safeguard.
Then Dr. Venn reacted angrily.
He said the order treated him as reckless.
The court did not.
It treated experimental intervention cautiously.
He withdrew from Willa’s active care voluntarily.
Medical board?
No immediate complaint.
But foundation medical committee began reviewing his conflict because he had also sought research funding from the proposed institute.
Could doctors have financial interests and still give valid advice?
Yes.
Disclosure matters.
Then Delaney’s lawyer sent me a letter.
She was challenging her suspension.
Her employment agreement included:
Twenty-four months severance if terminated without cause.
Potentially $700,000+.
If for cause:
Much less.
May you like
The foundation would have to decide whether her conduct met the contract.
Another fight began.
