Just to update you on the saga of the brain-damaged woman whose insurance settlement was awarded to Wal-Mart - her employer at the time her minivan was struck by a tractor-trailer - because of a clause in her policy: last week, Wal-Mart announced they will give up their claim on the $200,000+ left in Deborah Shank's trust, and they also stated they would change the rules of their health plan to allow for for exemptions in extreme cases, such as this one.
The announcement was hardly shocking, given the incredible public outrage at Wal-Mart's callous disregard for the plight of this poor woman - who besides being so disabled she is confined to a wheelchair in a nursing home, lost a son in Iraq. What is really shocking is that Wal-Mart's extensive marketing and PR departments couldn't see this coming a mile away. What do they pay those people for, anyway?
I just wanted to note how impressed I was by how many Strollerderby readers were so affected by this story that they decided to boycott Wal-Mart. I was especially moved by the commenter who made it his mission to go into the Wal-Mart stores in his area and explain to any employee who would listen exactly why he would never shop there again.
I don't shop at Wal-Mart because, shockingly, there isn't one close by. But I'd like to think that, even if there was one right down the road, I too would have the courage of my convictions, and take my business elsewhere.
