Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 19, 2023
@l0lag0lag0b3 I just recently went through a 3 day criminal trial, as a juror. While not a transplant patient, I am a daily dialysis patient.
Mask up, keep your distance as much as possible, hand sanitizer. You will be in a crowded courtroom during jury selection. If you feel your immune suppressed status is too much of a risk for you, ask to be excused, and be very truthful.
In my case, it was an hour drive each way to get to the courthouse. I did my session when I got home each night, which made it a very long day. There were a lot of people who had pretty flimsy excuses to not want to serve; I wanted them to see that my situation should not preclude me. Also, I made sure I was masked up well, and was the only one masking! [btw I am also a blood cancer patient]
Jury duty can involve long days. It's a decision you have to weigh against your health. Which direction are you leaning towards?
Ginger
Thanks Ginger, you bring up good points that one needs to become aware.
I am most concerned about being in crowded public space... which we have successfully avoided since the Transplant 4 1/2 years
What baffles me:- Medicare footed the bill in excess of 400K for the kidney transplant & we all know that kidney procurement wait time can be a long one, why is that not being.. factored in policy making for potential Juror's. enrollment ..
The Jurors pretty much sit next to each other from my previous experience. Is the court checking for vaccination records ? Let's see how this unfold's. Wish me a bit of luck. Will get back with outcome.
I received jury duty notification the day of my surgery. The transplant team gave me a letter to be excused. I just needed to call a number and then they gave me the instructions of where to send the letter. I would try this route rather than going there. Your transplant team might give you the letter (I'm not sure). If not then explain that everyone needs to mask up if they are to be around you more than 15 minutes, it should get you excused.
Wow ...day of the surgery ....Thanks Chickytina,
Good suggestion, couple action items in the works from my end.
- I have submitted an affidavit stating that I am Kidney Transplant Recipient and vulnerable to infections which possibly can become life threatening. ( at least I am on the record)
- It so happens I will be visiting my Xplant center & we are flying over in mid Jan & ask them for the letter, as they have better insight into my kidney from a genetics point of view (DSA etc)
Due date is end of Jan, The irony is the age limit to 75 got raised just this year !!
Wow ...day of the surgery ....Thanks Chickytina,
Good suggestion, couple action items in the works from my end.
- I have submitted an affidavit stating that I am Kidney Transplant Recipient and vulnerable to infections which possibly can become life threatening. ( at least I am on the record)
- It so happens I will be visiting my Xplant center & we are flying over in mid Jan & ask them for the letter, as they have better insight into my kidney from a genetics point of view (DSA etc)
Due date is end of Jan, The irony is the age limit to 75 got raised just this year !!
Hi @l0lag0lag0b3
It is so nice to hear from you!
I agree, that a crowded close quarters courtroom and deliberations room is not an appropriate environment for an immune suppressed kidney transplant. Will your local nephrologist or PCP write a brief note if you need it?
Thanks Ginger, you bring up good points that one needs to become aware.
I am most concerned about being in crowded public space... which we have successfully avoided since the Transplant 4 1/2 years
What baffles me:- Medicare footed the bill in excess of 400K for the kidney transplant & we all know that kidney procurement wait time can be a long one, why is that not being.. factored in policy making for potential Juror's. enrollment ..
The Jurors pretty much sit next to each other from my previous experience. Is the court checking for vaccination records ? Let's see how this unfold's. Wish me a bit of luck. Will get back with outcome.
I could have gotten excused due to age, or with a note from my doctor. I was the only one masked, unfortunately. And told people right up front, that I was being anti-social because I didn't want their germs! One fellow juror said she couldn't understand me because my mask was making it difficult for her, so the suggestion was for her to move next to me. No way was I going to unmask!
BTW, I use a cane to walk, and had to enter the "well" to get to my seat, because of the steps up into jury box. I apologized to the judge the first time, and he gave me carte blanche to access/exit my seat however was needed.
Hi @purpleturtle 😊
It is very nice to meet you! Thank you for letting us know that in your experience (Texas), no doctor note was necessary for your health issue. That's very helpful. Are you a transplant patient too? @l0lag0lag0b3
I am a cancer survivor (age 16) but I'm 2019 I had a strokes and a non malignant brain tumor surgery which resulted in left side weakness putting me at a high fall risk.
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Also in our state you have to be 75 yrs to get excused, other states it is 70 years (which I would qualify !!
@l0lag0lag0b3 I just recently went through a 3 day criminal trial, as a juror. While not a transplant patient, I am a daily dialysis patient.
Mask up, keep your distance as much as possible, hand sanitizer. You will be in a crowded courtroom during jury selection. If you feel your immune suppressed status is too much of a risk for you, ask to be excused, and be very truthful.
In my case, it was an hour drive each way to get to the courthouse. I did my session when I got home each night, which made it a very long day. There were a lot of people who had pretty flimsy excuses to not want to serve; I wanted them to see that my situation should not preclude me. Also, I made sure I was masked up well, and was the only one masking! [btw I am also a blood cancer patient]
Jury duty can involve long days. It's a decision you have to weigh against your health. Which direction are you leaning towards?
Ginger
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
10 ReactionsThanks Ginger, you bring up good points that one needs to become aware.
I am most concerned about being in crowded public space... which we have successfully avoided since the Transplant 4 1/2 years
What baffles me:- Medicare footed the bill in excess of 400K for the kidney transplant & we all know that kidney procurement wait time can be a long one, why is that not being.. factored in policy making for potential Juror's. enrollment ..
The Jurors pretty much sit next to each other from my previous experience. Is the court checking for vaccination records ? Let's see how this unfold's. Wish me a bit of luck. Will get back with outcome.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI received jury duty notification the day of my surgery. The transplant team gave me a letter to be excused. I just needed to call a number and then they gave me the instructions of where to send the letter. I would try this route rather than going there. Your transplant team might give you the letter (I'm not sure). If not then explain that everyone needs to mask up if they are to be around you more than 15 minutes, it should get you excused.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsWow ...day of the surgery ....Thanks Chickytina,
Good suggestion, couple action items in the works from my end.
- I have submitted an affidavit stating that I am Kidney Transplant Recipient and vulnerable to infections which possibly can become life threatening. ( at least I am on the record)
- It so happens I will be visiting my Xplant center & we are flying over in mid Jan & ask them for the letter, as they have better insight into my kidney from a genetics point of view (DSA etc)
Due date is end of Jan, The irony is the age limit to 75 got raised just this year !!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi @l0lag0lag0b3
It is so nice to hear from you!
I agree, that a crowded close quarters courtroom and deliberations room is not an appropriate environment for an immune suppressed kidney transplant. Will your local nephrologist or PCP write a brief note if you need it?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI live in Texas and I was able to be dismissed due to health issues. No documentation needed from my doctors.
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2 ReactionsI could have gotten excused due to age, or with a note from my doctor. I was the only one masked, unfortunately. And told people right up front, that I was being anti-social because I didn't want their germs! One fellow juror said she couldn't understand me because my mask was making it difficult for her, so the suggestion was for her to move next to me. No way was I going to unmask!
BTW, I use a cane to walk, and had to enter the "well" to get to my seat, because of the steps up into jury box. I apologized to the judge the first time, and he gave me carte blanche to access/exit my seat however was needed.
Wishing you luck!
Ginger
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Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsHi @purpleturtle 😊
It is very nice to meet you! Thank you for letting us know that in your experience (Texas), no doctor note was necessary for your health issue. That's very helpful. Are you a transplant patient too?
@l0lag0lag0b3
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am a cancer survivor (age 16) but I'm 2019 I had a strokes and a non malignant brain tumor surgery which resulted in left side weakness putting me at a high fall risk.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction