Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Podcast Description
What would you do if the person you loved most in the world was about to die in isolation and you couldn't be with them?
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation in Healthcare is a powerful podcast by Steve Reiter, sharing the deeply personal story of losing his wife, Elizabeth, due to strict isolation policies during the pandemic. Through his experience and those of countless others, Steve highlights the emotional and physical toll of being separated from loved ones during critical medical moments. This show investigates how these policies came to be, the long-term consequences for patients and families, and why love, touch, and advocacy are essential to healing.
Featuring interviews with survivors, medical experts, and policymakers, the show explores what went wrong and how to ensure no patient is ever left alone again. With insights from grief and trauma specialists, Every Patient’s Right provides tools for healing while advocating for legislation to protect patients’ visitation rights. Join Steve on this vital journey to bring change to healthcare and ensure no one is forced to die alone.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the emotional and systemic consequences of enforced medical isolation, with episodes discussing personal stories, legislative advocacy, and the healthcare system's failures. For instance, episodes explore topics like the challenges families faced when visitation was restricted during COVID-19 hospitalizations, and how advocacy can change visitation policies for better patient support.
What would you do if the person you loved most in the world was about to die in isolation and you couldn’t be with them?
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation in Healthcare is a powerful podcast by Steve Reiter, sharing the deeply personal story of losing his wife, Elizabeth, due to strict isolation policies during the pandemic. Through his experience and those of countless others, Steve highlights the emotional and physical toll of being separated from loved ones during critical medical moments. This show investigates how these policies came to be, the long-term consequences for patients and families, and why love, touch, and advocacy are essential to healing.
Featuring interviews with survivors, medical experts, and policymakers, the show explores what went wrong and how to ensure no patient is ever left alone again. With insights from grief and trauma specialists, Every Patient’s Right provides tools for healing while advocating for legislation to protect patients’ visitation rights. Join Steve on this vital journey to bring change to healthcare and ensure no one is forced to die alone.
Steve Reiter speaks with Scott Schara, whose daughter, Grace, born with Down syndrome, tragically passed away in October 2021 following forced medical isolation during a hospital stay. Scott shares Grace’s joyful spirit, how their family navigated hospital protocols, and how his advocacy seeks to protect others from experiencing the same injustice. Together, they discuss the limits of patient rights, the shortcomings of the ADA, and the importance of love and humanity in healthcare.
Outline:
00:00 April Fool’s Day Memories
03:26 “Unexpected Joy in Grace’s Birth”
07:18 Welcoming Parenthood and Down Syndrome
11:34 “Negligence Led to Grace’s Death”
16:18 Hospital Negotiation and Disability Lawsuit
17:14 ADA Critique: “Dog and Pony Show”
22:41 Pulse Oximeter Discrepancy Dispute
26:34 “Morning Hospital Incident with Grace”
30:25 Caution: Respiratory Risks with Medication
34:02 Unanswered Questions After Hospital Death
38:02 Uncovering Hospital Malpractice
38:58 Hospital Refuses Meeting After Fatality
42:31 Judgment Against Unwanted DNR Order
46:03 “Grace’s Legacy of Love”
50:52 “Loving the Unlovable”
52:01 “Embracing Joy and Connection”
About The Guest:
Scott Schara is a passionate advocate for patient rights and disability justice. After losing his 19-year-old daughter, Grace, to questionable hospital practices during forced medical isolation in October 2021, Scott became deeply involved in legislative and educational efforts to prevent similar tragedies. He shares Grace’s story nationwide in Wisconsin to champion “No Patient Left Alone” legislation and the importance of compassion in healthcare.
About The Host: Steve Reiter is the founder of the Never Alone Project and the host of its podcast, “Every Patient’s Right, Ending Isolation and Healthcare.” He lost his wife to forced isolation on May 19, 2020, and believes no one should die alone. The show delves into the significant issue of forced medical isolation that began in March 2020, examining its profound effects on patients and exploring ways to balance essential medical care with the nurturing human contact that aids healing and recovery.
Share your story, learn more, listen, and subscribe at: neveraloneproject.org
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