Baylie
Bring Awareness Your Light Inspires everyone
“There were worse things in life than dying,”
Phase One:
Health Care Proxy and HIPAA Forms
Baylie would want others to be spared of this horrible pain. This is our first order of business. To present a bill to Congress for BAYLIE’S Law. Without this legal document next of kin may be denied medical information, and decision-making automatically goes to the hospital. We feel that the next of kin should be fully informed at every stage, and spared the legal challenges we faced. It also protects the grown child who may have become an adult, however, their brain is not fully developed and in certain circumstances, may need a parent to be their voice.
“Get on a plane, you may be coming to Miami to say goodbye.”
It took us 16 hours to travel to Baylie without knowing the details of her condition. The privacy law kept us in the dark for 16 hours; an unbearable amount of time. Because bad news needed to be delivered in person.
HIPAA law prevented us from requesting medical care on behalf of our daughter. We could not obtain critical evidence within the time frame needed to determine the presence of date rape drugs or alcohol poisoning. It also prevented us initially, from finding the best care, changing physicians, obtaining second opinions, or having her transferred to Boston.
HIPAA ultimately stood in our way. It not only dramatically delayed the decision-making process; it almost stopped us from advocating for our child. In the end, lawyers, judges, the ethics committee, the hospital CEO, and interviews of several family members were needed to carry out Baylie’s wishes.
Creating awareness is our first goal. Education is essential. Many people overlook this and do not have a healthcare proxy for their eighteen-year-old child. Consideration for HIPAA waivers under certain circumstances must also be a part of the admission process.
Establish simple, easy, affordable, one-click forms included on admission.
Honesty. Integrity. Goodness. Always do the right thing.
Baylie would have wished for more kindness in the world, and a deeper understanding of why people do what they do.
Baylie was never the bystander; she was the voice. Baylie spoke up against injustice and had a passion for equality. She was known for doing the right thing.
Anyone who knew Baylie would tell you she was the LEAST LIKELY target for any crime. However, like all teens, mistakes were made. The events that contributed to Baylie’s catastrophic injuries were all PREVENTABLE.
Phase Two:
Keep me Safe Program
Resources for students to help them navigate the social dilemmas they face while away from home, and to make the right choice under the worst circumstances.
The education campaign will include stories from other families. By providing real solutions, what to look for, how to help, and when to notify an adult. They’ll learn what to do if someone becomes drugged or intoxicated, providing sensible options that will not result in having a student kicked out of school or charged with underage drinking. An amnesty policy for all schools, and a safe ride home.
Students often take matters into their own hands because they fear the consequences. They avoid help because of the barriers we put in place. Not realizing the danger or risk to human life. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for making good decisions and is not fully developed until the mid-late twenties, yet we expect these kids to make good choices, even when under the influence.
In most cases, with the right resources, we can save lives. Implementing a program that provides mature decision-making is the key. Beginning with awareness and education we will tackle these issues nationwide.
We will also aim to implement a volunteer program for on-call “moms or dads” to be available to help a small group of students. A waiver signed as an emergency contact person with the Good Samaritan Act applied.
Workshops for both parents and students during orientation. Implement a “safe ride home” program for a student in need without question, when it is deemed necessary.
Baylie’s Wish is focused on what to do and who to call when dangerous situations arise, beyond the duties of the RA who is obligated to report them; authorities where there will likely be repercussions for their actions; or friends who may be too intoxicated to help them. There will be a safe person to text or call and help with decisions.
GOALS
Extension of the AMNESTY LAW to include the victim as well as those who call for help, regardless of the medical emergency.
Amnesty for alcohol-related offenses, failure to comply with minor rules and exemption from disciplinary action for the first offense.
COREY’s Law for Transparency. This will ensure that colleges have to report numbers. That info is shared with families about the data on campus-related deaths, accidents, suicides, sex trafficking incidents, pedestrian fatalities, alcohol-related deaths, hazing deaths, overdoses, etc.
CLEARY COLLEGE ACT mandates that colleges and universities must disclose crimes and provide safety on and around their campus.
A weekend safety campaign to provide in-person workshops or video education for incoming college students.
Real-life scenarios, problem-solving skills for actual events, and preventable actions to keep someone safe. Weekend Warriors with real solutions.
Awareness of the dangers, especially those you would never expect. Including safe water, rideshares, and walking home intoxicated.
Resources to access safe rides, as well as those provided by colleges for any hour, pick up. On-call decision-makers, student volunteers, or adults.
Resources to provide funds, if needed, to help a student get back home safely and prevent tragedy.
Education regarding the city, school, transportation options, and statistics for campus-related accidents, alcohol, overdose, and suicide. Risks that may not be known to them, including Greek life.