A grieving artist, a 50 foot wall, and a quest for patient rights
From Wikipedia:
On March 27, 2009, Her husband, Fred Holliday II, was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer, after months of escalating pain medication prescribed for symptom relief, without a diagnosis of the cause of the pain. Fred died on June 17, 2009. Holliday's response to the shock and anguish of losing her 39-year-old husband (plus at her husband's urging on his deathbed) to become an arts advocate for all patients' rights to their own medical data.
During his final hospitalization, Holliday asked to see her husband's medical records, so that she could do online research of his condition and care, and so that they could make informed decisions together. At the first of five hospitals he was admitted to during this medical ordeal, on April 18, 2009, she was told that copies of his records would cost $.73 per page and would be available after a 21-day wait. That would have been May 9, 2009. Fred Holliday II died at home on June 17, 2009.
In Holliday's words, her husband's final message inspired her advocacy: "He's got a paper in his hand. It says: 'Go After Them Regina, Love Fred.'" On her blog on Sunday August 9, 2009, she wrote: "I am painting because it is the best way I know that can make a difference. I will paint our sorrow on a wall for all to see. It is hard to look away. It makes you think. It makes you question. The scariest thing to the status-quo is an electorate that is thinking and asking questions. I am as grassroots as it comes. There is just me on a 20 foot ladder donated by my church. I am using paint brushes I have had for 17 years. I am applying acrylic paint (paid for by donations of friends and strangers) on a wall donated by a gas station."
Holliday's blog eloquently describes the meaning of the mural and I highly recommend spending some time with her back-story to fully appreciate the work. A documentary telling the story behind the mural has been made, the trailer for which may be seen on the film's website.
Tip of the hat to mdswbkq for suggesting this mural for the DC Hidden Murals series. As typical with these urban placements, coords are approximate; once you see the mural you'll need to rely on your geosense more than your GPS. The hint is a pretty much a dead giveaway so resist as long as you can. Please remember to replace just as found, and don't forget your writing utensil -- enjoy!
** Congrats to hutchjth for the FTF! **