Normand Meunier, a 66-year-old quadriplegic man experienced a heartbreaking chain of events while hospitalized. Just to recap, it all started on January 18th, 2024. He got sent to the emergency room where they admitted him, suspecting some kind of virus. Unfortunately, he experienced extreme neglect at that facility which led to a horrible bedsore that changed his life and those of his family forever. Meunier had a very painful wound from being pinned to a stretcher for four days. This experience was a catalyst for him to pursue medical assistance in dying.
Meunier went into the hospital in relatively good health, with his chronic bedsores having been recently assessed as stable and well-managed. The lack of clarity in those early moments of his emergency room visit radically changed the scope of his injury. In order to alleviate the pressure on his bedridden body, his partner, Sylvie Brosseau, began requesting a special pressure mattress as soon as he moved in there. Sadly, hospital employees turned her away over and over.
A Distressing Hospital Stay
Meunier’s condition deteriorated greatly over his four-day stay in the emergency room. A very deep bedsore developed on his backside, a gaping blackened ulcer several centimeters in diameter. His pain and the degradation of his health were shocking. He had been doing well health-wise until this unfortunate incident.
Brigitte Guilbon, the licensed practical nurse who attended to Meunier, told me that she was horrified upon discovering the gravity of Meunier’s injury. Later, she took care of him at home. In her 15 years of experience, she had never seen a wound that bad.
“His morale was very, very low, and the sore was horrible,” – Brigitte Guilbon
The psychological burden on Meunier and his family was enormous. After he was released from the hospital, he went back home in early January 2024. There was a committed home-care team in place, literally around the clock to keep his condition under control. Even though they drained the area repeatedly, the wound worsened day after day in the ensuing weeks.
The Impact of Neglect
The treatment that Meunier received should be a big red flag and prompt additional questioning about hospital protocol for patients with limited mobility. We find it particularly appalling that the denial of requests for basic, appropriate pressure-relieving equipment such as specialized mattresses is justifiable. Advocates for patients with disabilities emphasize the need for better awareness and training among medical staff regarding the unique challenges faced by individuals like Meunier.
Looking ahead to his return home, Meunier’s outlook seemed bleak. His wound continued to cause him extreme discomfort and would take months to recover through extensive treatment and care. The emotional strain further compounded his physical suffering as he reflected on the quality of care he received during his hospitalization.
A Heartbreaking Decision
The future looked bleak for Normand Meunier, with a long and painful recovery and poor prospects for any improvement. Ultimately, he decided to pursue medical assistance in dying. He died peacefully at home on March 29, 2024, with his family around him.
Meunier’s story serves as a reminder of how pervasive systemic issues in healthcare facilities can affect even the most vulnerable patients. His partner, Sylvie Brosseau, and caregiver Brigitte Guilbon continue to advocate for better standards of care to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
