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I AM ALS

Help a Terminally Ill Individual in Maryland Appeal a Nursing Home's Involuntary Discharge

Help a person living with ALS appeal and fight an involuntary nursing home discharge.

Posted August 16, 2023

Background & Context

This client is living with ALS in a nursing home facility in Maryland. The client is paralyzed and unable to verbally communicate, relying on eye gaze technology and other assistive tools to communicate. The client was advocating for a change of policy within the facility in order to have her needs safely met. The client was also advocating for an implementation of communication board training for staff, so she and other non-verbal residents would be able to communicate with those providing them care. The nursing home served her with an involuntary 30-day discharge notice. Client does not have an alternative living arrangement, and the facilities willing and able to care for a person living with ALS are few and far between. Luckily, the 30-day notice has been extended for the time being while they wait for an in-person appeal date, and they've connected with someone who can help with the mediation process (not a lawyer).

Work & Deliverables

Assist the client with the appeal process and, ideally, the legal proceedings that may follow.

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Additional Information

  • Time Commitment: 6-10 hours
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Additional Training Details: My organization can provided ALS-related support and information to help familiarize the volunteer with the needs of people living with ALS.
  • Site-Preference: Remote
  • Open to Law Students: No
  • Bar License(s) required: Maryland
  • Required Languages: None
  • Required Legal Expertise: None
  • Mentoring Provided: No
  • Supervision Provided: No
I AM ALS

I AM ALS is a patient-led, patient-centric community that reshapes public understanding of this disease, provides key resources to the community, and creates opportunities for patients to lead the fight against ALS and search for a cure. I AM ALS's Navigation program will empower patients and their families with relevant medical and research information, support them emotionally, connect them with practical resources, and help them build a community around them. One of the practical resources we would like to connect them with is legal assistance as ALS patients and their families often need help with preparing advanced directives (wills, power of attorney for health care etc.) and estate plans. We would like to access We The Action's network to connect ALS patients and their families with lawyers who can help them prepare advanced directives (wills, power of attorney for health care etc.) and estate plans.

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