Thread by @KaleyAJohnson

I’m at the hearing today for Tinslee Lewis, a baby ok life support at @CookChildrens.
The family & hospital have been in a legal battle over her care -physicians wants to end her treatment, saying it is futile and causing suffering. Her family disagrees. amp.star-telegram.com/news/local/for…

Today’s hearing should decide if Cooks can take Tinslee off life support or not.
Here’s more about the law, the Texas Advance Dircetive, that Cooks is acting under to move to end her care #txlege #tinsleelewis Via @Tessa_Weinberg amp.star-telegram.com/news/politics-…

So far, we’ve heard from Tinslee’s mom, 20-year-old Trinity Lewis.
She described Tinslee’s personality - she’s sassy, likes having her nails painted and loves the movie Trolls.
Also learned that Trinity is pregnant with a second child, due in February. #tinsleelewis

An ethics committee at the hospital made the decision to end Tinslee’s care. The chair of that committee, Pam Foster, is on the stand now explaining the process.

Today’s hearing isn’t just about Tinslee’s care - if a decision is made, it could impact the Texas Advanced Directives Law itself.
As the judge said this morning, they’re here to determine if the law is unconstitutional.
#txlege #tinsleelewis

The doctor who went to the ethics committee is on the stand now. Said Tinslee is not going to get better and they want to end her pain and suffering.
“Is Tinslee’s case hopeless?” Family’s lawyer asks.
“Yes,” he replies.
#tinsleelewis

The doctor, pediatric cardiologist Jay Duncan, is still on the stand after a recess for lunch.
He is explaining Cook's has no qualms with transferring Tinslee to another facility, but they have not been able to find one that will take her.
#tinsleelewis

Tense exchange between Duncan and family's lawyer, Joe Nixon.
“In this situation, who gets to make the decision whether Tinslee lives or dies, you or her mother?” Nixon asked, standing behind Trinity Lewis.
“Well in this situation, the ethics committee decides,” Duncan replied.

Nixon also said Boston Children's Hospital is still considering taking over Tinslee's care. The facility initially said no, but recently requested more tests so they can evaluate her case.
"... We still have an opportunity don’t we?" Nixon asked.
"I don't believe so," Duncan said

Next witness is Hannah Metah, exec. director of @fragilechildTX
The organization is a nonprofit that advocates for medically dependent children—the only group that does so in the state, she said.
Metah says Cooks tried to block them from assessing Tinslee's condition themselves.

@fragilechildTX Metah also emphasized that Tinslee still has a chance at getting care from another hospital.
She said Boston Children's Hospital asked for more tests, one of which was done as recently as Monday.
Also said specialists told group Tinslee's case "was not hopeless."

@fragilechildTX Now we're hearing from cardiac nurse Kara Lane:

Said caring for Tinslee is "very emotionally difficult for myself and for the nursing staff." Asked why, said "Because we are inflicting painful interventions on her that are increasing her suffering - for no good outcome."

@fragilechildTX Trinity Lewis, Tinslee's mom, is taking the stand again.

I also talked with Linda Williams, Trinity's grandmother. She said they are hoping the case will conclude today.

Okay - we’re now at closing arguments. Not sure if this will end today or not, that’s up to the judge.