An elderly grandmother suffering from stomach cancer in Canada was allegedly euthanized under that country's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program. However, according to The New York Post, Brigitte Stegemann "died a bloody mess with her hands clasped in prayer after a botched first attempt." In fact, her family claims that she was confused and it was not even what she wanted. Now they want to know what allegedly went so wrong at The Pearl care home in Cannifton, Belleville, Ontario.
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"I've Made a Mistake"
Just two days prior to the life-ending procedure, per the outlet, Stegemann's caregiver, her granddaughter Brigitte Kranendonk, tried to find out if her grandma really understood what was going to happen. Kranendonk told The Daily Mail, "I used very frank terms. I said: 'Do you know that you're going to die on Friday?'" In response, Brigitte Stegemann allegedly cried for 45 minutes and declared, "I've made a mistake."
Brigitte Kranendonk alleges that her grandmother also did poorly on a cognitive test. It's intended to establish whether someone is mentally sound enough to agree to physician-assisted suicide.
Her Family Claims That Just About Everything Went Haywire
Per the Post, "Kranendonk said MAiD practitioners took advantage of her grandmother's cloudy cognitive state to go ahead with the procedure...." She alleges that it was rushed. In addition she claims there were no family members to witness Stegemann supposedly signing a consent document. Also, that the procedure itself was handled clumsily.
Furthermore, Brigitte Kranendonk alleges that the nurse who placed the I.V. needle for the procedure in her grandmother's arm did it very badly. There were allegedly many unsuccessful tries to insert the needle. She said, "There was a phenomenal amount of blood. It is all over my Oma's arm, it is all over her nightie, soaking through her pillow, all over the sheets, there is so much blood. And throughout all this time, mind you, the nurse is not wearing gloves."
Per the Post, at that point, Kranendonk claims a doctor came in the room. He allegedly asked Stegemann if he could take over the procedure. She reportedly was not able to respond. Then the doctor allegedly said, "OK, well, I'm going to proceed." In minutes, Brigitte Stegemann was deceased.
Stegemann's Loved Ones Want To Know If Laws or Protocols Were Violated
According to the Post, Brigitte Stegemann's family is pursuing this matter vigorously. They have allegedly approached the patient ombudsman of the care facility, Belleville Police, and the Ontario chief coroner's office.
Someone speaking on behalf of the Belleville Police made this statement to The Daily Mail. "This incident is currently open and under investigation with our Criminal Investigations Division. We are unable to provide any additional information at this time."
