Florence Girard starved to death in a B.C. home-share. Her sister wants change
The tragic death of Florence Girard, a woman with Down syndrome who starved to death in a Port Coquitlam home in 2018, has raised serious concerns about how people with developmental disabilities are treated in British Columbia. As her sister, Sharon Bursey, prepares to attend the coroner’s inquest into Girard’s death, she is speaking out about the need for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Describing Girard as a funny and sarcastic individual who loved spending time with her family, Bursey is determined to ensure that her sister’s death was not in vain. She has been contacted by others who have shared similar stories of abuse against family members with developmental disabilities, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Girard died while living in the home of Astrid Dahl, as part of a program for people with developmental disabilities after her group home was shut down. Dahl was later convicted of failing to provide the necessaries of life to Girard, leading to an increased jail sentence by the B.C. Court of Appeal.
Court documents reveal that Girard required round-the-clock care in virtually every aspect of her daily life, including supervision while eating. Despite showing signs of a declining appetite in the months leading to her death, Dahl failed to arrange for any medical attention for Girard. The lack of proper care resulted in Girard’s weight dropping to a mere 50 pounds at the time of her death.
Bursey expressed her frustration with the oversight systems in place, noting that Girard had not seen a dentist in five years and a doctor in four years prior to her passing. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that protocols and guidelines are followed to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
Tamara Taggart, the president of Down Syndrome B.C., echoed Bursey’s concerns, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the systemic failures that led to Girard’s death. Taggart, who is expected to testify at the coroner’s inquest, stressed the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes of such tragedies to prevent them from happening again.
Taggart highlighted the lack of proper training for those caring for individuals with developmental disabilities and the need for increased accountability and transparency within government-funded programs. She called for systemic changes to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receive the care and support they deserve.
As the coroner’s inquest gets underway, Bursey, Taggart, and others are hopeful that the recommendations made by the jury will lead to meaningful reforms that protect individuals like Florence Girard in the future. Their advocacy serves as a powerful reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance and action to safeguard the rights and well-being of all individuals with developmental disabilities.
