YVONNE CRYNS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND - Breastfeeding, childbirth, and pregnancy online magazine: The Compleat Mother

Midwife's family needs your support

Recent photo of Yvonne, Greg and four of their seven children. Six of the children were born at home.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled against Yvonne's in her civil case vs. the Illinois Department of Regulations. Yvonne has now petitioned the

United States Supreme Court to review that state decision. Nothing will happen until at least the end of June, 2003. Stay posted.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2002, Yvonne's attorney, Jim Harrison, will orally argue Yvonne's case before the Supreme Court of Illinois regarding to the civil case with the IDPR (Illinois Department of Professional Regulations).

The IDPR�s contention is that the Nurse Practice Act already in force was �meant� to include independent midwives. We are arguing that if it is not written in the law, then it does not exist. Yvonne is not a registered nurse in Illinois, thus we argue that the IDPR should not be involved. They issued a �cease and desist� order to Yvonne about two years ago.

This Supreme Court case could have significant implications, not only in Illinois, but in many other states as a spillover effect. We�ve learned that the states do monitor decisions from other states.

The Supreme Court decision will not be issued immediately, of course. This process could take considerable time. Please bookmark this page as I will post the result here as soon as it arrives.

We just received word that the prosecution has asked for another extension to prepare a brief for the Appellate Court. If accepted, this will push everything into 2003 with the criminal case. We wonder if the fact that the State of Illinois Supreme Court's hearing of Yvonne's civil case has anything to do with the extension requests. Or if they just cannot find a way to argue out of it. We'll see.

The Supreme Court hearing could be a long time away, or a short time away. Just don't know. Thank you everyone for your continued support!

~greg

Update August 15, 2002

Yvonne's criminal case is in the Appellate Court for consideration based on her claim that she was already tried for this and was acquitted on the first charge. This is a "double-jeopardy" argument.

The case will not be heard until later this fall, at the earliest.

The Supreme Court of Illinois AGREED to hear the civil case of IDPR (Illinois Department of Professional Regulations) vs Yvonne Cryns. This is significant for many reasons, not the least of which is that the Supreme Court takes on very few cases. The Court will review and rule on a very recent Appellate Court decision that the IDPR can control independent (unlicensed) midwifery.

The essence of this case is whether or not IDPR has the right to regulate unlicensed professions. The implications of this Supreme Court decision could be significant for midwives and the Illinois community at large. This case is not directly involved with Ms. Cryns criminal case which is now in the Appellate court.

On June 5, 2001 the judge declared a mistrial after over three weeks of testimony and jury deliberations. The jury was unable to reach a verdict (split decision).

The State of Illinois claims it will retry the case, but this is still open to conjecture and change. The case is now in the Appellate Court.

Yvonne owes legal bills of over $250,000 now. Please see below how to help, if you can.

If you feel strongly about whether the State should retry the case against Yvonne, please write me at [email protected] and I will send you an address to send a letter to the State's Attorney.

Take a look at Yvonne's Midwife Mary Doll.
Since she cannot practice midwifery for the time being, Yvonne is using some of her other talents.

Yvonne Cryns, a traditional direct-entry midwife and nationally credentialed Certified Professional Midwife, CPM, was indicted by a Lake County, Illinois grand jury on September 27, 2000 on two counts: Involuntary Manslaughter and Involuntary Manslaughter of an Unborn child. Each count carries a potential sentence of 2 to 5 years in prison. The indictments stem from Yvonne's attendance at a birth in Lake County where, according to the coroner's report, the baby was apparently stillborn. The charges brought against Yvonne by the Lake County State's Attorney were not sought by the parents.

In April 2000, Yvonne received a Cease & Desist order from the Department of Professional Regulation, ordering her to cease the practice of nursing and/or midwifery. DPR's action appears to be based on the theory that midwifery is actually the practice of nursing. In May, 2000, Yvonne filed a complaint in Circuit Court challenging the constitutionality of the statute invoked by DPR, the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, noting that the statute does not define midwifery or explain the conduct that constitutes midwifery. The Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act's stated purpose is the regulation of nursing in the State of Illinois. On October 3, 2000, DPR filed an action against Yvonne in the circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit seeking a court order permanently enjoining her from practicing "medicine, nursing, and/or midwifery."

The Department of Children and Family Services is now demanding interviews with Yvonne's children. DCFS has insisted that the Cryns children have no right to legal representation during the compelled interviews, although the results of the interviews could be used against Yvonne in court.

Yvonne has been a supporter of the Midwifery Model of Care and homebirth for many years. Six of her own children were born at home. Over the past decade she has worked tirelessly for direct-entry midwifery legislation in Illinois, writing bills, testifying at legislative hearings, advocating on behalf of midwifery, and educating the public about choices in childbirth. She has produced a full-lengthy educational video, entitled Home Sweet Homebirth. It is believed that the outcome of Yvonne's cases before the courts will serve to define the future of homebirth and midwifery in Illinois.

Yvonne has been the primary financial support of her large family, however the current charges and lawsuits have now put her out of business. The cost of her defense against the criminal charges is anticipated to run between $50,000 and $100,000. Legal fees for the civil actions, including the pending constitutional challenge, are also mounting. Although she and her husband are reluctant to do so, they are forced to seek your financial help at this time.

How can you help the Cryns family? Please consider buying Yvonne's video about midwives called Home Sweet Homebirth. Or make a donation of any amount to the:

Any size donation is welcomed gratefully. Even a dollar or two. If everyone who visited this website sends just a couple of dollars the attorney and court costs would be covered in only a couple of months. You can send a donation through Pay Pal, a free internet service. To do so use the email address [email protected] and the last name "Cryns"; you can use the link below:
https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=greg%40rsg.org

Anonymous donations may be sent to:
Yvonne Cryns Legal Defense Fund #50084049
State Financial Bank
Hales Corners, WI 53130

All donations of $50 or more will automatically receive a copy of Yvonne's video, Home Sweet Homebirth. Please indicate that you would like to be sent this video.

All donations of $15 or more will automatically receive the Pregnant Keychain. Please indicate that you would like to be sent the keychain.

For continued information about Yvonne's cases, please send your email address and/or snail mail address with a short note to: [email protected]

I think the best midwives are those who are created by their communities. Yvonne Cryns' community has created an excellent midwife.

Yvonne produced an insightful video about midwifery in the United States today. Little did she know, when she was making the video with the assistance of friends, colleagues, and her children and husband, Greg, that she herself would become a victim of the burning of midwives taking place across the country.

If we ignore opportunities to defend midwifery and those who provide midwifery care, this collusion against midwifery will continue to happen again and again across the country until hard working, competent and compassionate, community created midwives like Yvonne and their families will be beaten into submission. This is the perfect opportunity to protect the work midwives do across the country.

"Compleat Mother Magazine" will give the Cryns' family $5 for every new subscription. You can order subscriptions for friends, family, politicians, attorneys, public libraries and policy makers.

Please join our efforts on behalf of the Cryns' family and the Midwifery Model of Care.

Sincerely,
--Jody--
                Jody McLaughlin, Editor
                Compleat Mother Magazine
                PO Box 209
                Minot, North Dakota 58702-0209 USA
                email: [email protected]
                (701) 852-2822