Death is Louder than Life

Adriana Smith. A daughter, a nurse, a mother, a friend, and a light. A Black woman who tried to listen to her body, but nobody wanted to listen to her. Adriana suffered from headaches that were dismissed without further testing, which led to the discovery of blood clots that left her brain dead. Emory Hospital interpreted the Georgia law called the Heartbeat Law in a way that the organization felt required them to keep her alive for the fetus she was carrying. A decision her family had no say in. Emory Healthcare released the following statement:

 "Emory Healthcare uses consensus from clinical experts, medical literature, and legal guidance to support our providers as they make individualized treatment recommendations in compliance with Georgia's abortion laws and all other applicable laws. Our top priorities continue to be the safety and well-being of the patients we serve."

Meanwhile, the state of Georgia is putting the onus on Emory.

The real victims here are Adriana, her family, her seven-year-old, and her newborn, who is currently in the NICU. Another example of how not only do elections have consequences, but the cruelty of an organization that is supposed to help others ends up playing a part in permanently altering lives in ways that are not always positive.

Adriana matters. Although she is no longer here, her memory deserves to be honored. She is another example of how, sometimes, as a Black woman, it can feel as though we are screaming into the void. My non-profit organization, Project Healthvocate is designed to help equip people with knowledge and resources to better advocate for themselves and facilitate productive conversations between themselves and health providers. Still, I also recognize that this is only half the battle. What happens if you are not heard? What happens when you do everything you are supposed to do, and it still does not work out?

Not only is this a real possibility, but for a Black woman, a high probability.  The criminality of a legal procedure, abortion, is how we got here. Historically, the denial of human decency and rights being afforded to persons of African descent is how we got here. The United States Healthcare system, insurance companies, medical racism, and other predatory health business tactics are how we got here. Sheer lack of listening skills is how we got here.

But we do not have to stay here.

Please research ways to support Adriana’s family, especially her mother and sons.