Decision on Paralyzed Florida Woman Expected Within Weeks

Catholic World News ^ | April 8,2003

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Tampa, Florida, Apr. 08 (LifesiteNews.com/CWN) - The lawyer for severely handicapped Terri Schiavo is making a last effort to convince the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Florida to overturn a circuit judge's order that the woman's feeding tube should be removed so that she will be "allowed to die." Her husband, Michael, has been battling to secure her death for years -- even though his wife's parents insist that if proper treatment were resumed (her husband stopped it) Terri would again show signs of improvement as before. The decision is expected in the next few weeks.

"The fact that she cannot bring a spoon to her mouth should not be a death warrant," Pat Anderson told the judges. "What's it going to hurt to give her some therapy she's been entitled to anyway?"

On the other side, the husband's lawyer, says the evidence is "overwhelming" that Terri will never recover. "What Terri has left is for us to respect her free will, her choice," the lawyer said, a reference to Terri's alleged wish, before she suffered the mysterious accident that led to her paralysis, not to be kept on life support.

Reports from the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation, a group organized by family members who believe she deserves more treatment before being "executed," allege that the husband confines his wife to a small room under a sadistic prison-like regime, refusing to allow her to see pets as part of a therapy program, and preventing her from receiving gifts, not even flowers sent by well-wishers.

The foundation's web site http://www.terrisfight.org.

[MartaH007]

How awful. If he is abusing this poor woman, why are the authorities not involved? There ought to be social workers, adult protection workers, as well as advocates for the disabled who will involve themselves and investigate daily. My husband recovered after having a massive stroke. We were lucky, but I didn't believe in pulling the plug and I kept him on a feeding tube. He is healthy and fully recovered. My prayers will be with her and her family who wish to save her.
MH

[xJones]

Her husband, Michael, has been battling to secure her death for years -- even though his wife's parents insist that if proper treatment were resumed (her husband stopped it) Terri would again show signs of improvement as before.

With a husband like that, if she truly wants to die who can blmae her? This is pitiful.

[avg_freeper]

before she suffered the mysterious accident that led to her paralysis, not to be kept on life support.

I'm curious; does anyone know what the circumstances behind this mysterious accident are?

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I don't think she speaks. The "husband" is claiming she said this before her accident. Her family says that she is responsive through facial expressions and gestures. I doubt they have seen her lately.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

The last I heard was that Terri had a lot of money through her parents. Her husband, who is now living with a woman and has a child by her, wants Terri to die so he can inherit her money and marry his new girlfriend. He doesn't want to divorce her because he won't get her money.

[Henrietta]

What a heartbreaking story. This is why everyone should have a written medical directive, sometimes called an "advance directive," "health care proxy" or "durable power of attorney for health care." It allows you to state how you want to be treated medically if you are in certain situations.

[Pee_Oui]

Glenn Beck came to Fla a few months ago to seek support for the "parents" position in this case... it seems he has some personal experience with a disabled child, or member of family. He's very adamant about her living.

He spoke about it on his radio program and made quite a big deal about it... VERY Passionate plea to the public. I happen to agree for what it's worth.

D

[MartaH007]

If there are folks out there familiar with this type of case, I wish they would jump in. If she cannot speak for herself, then certainly there should be someone who can advocate for her and help her and her parents. If she is being abused in any form, that is against the law. If she is not allowed to see her parents, then there must be someone who can find out what the law is in her county and her state. Heck, I'd be at the door of every rep in town to see what they can do to help. People have woken up after being in comas, and with rehab, they can do quite well. If it is a question of something sinister going on, then perhaps the DA needs to be contacted. I've done some advocacy for the elderly, simply because I was asked to help, and while the bureacracy can be daunting, it certainly is worth pursuing to save the life a woman.

[cyn]

Hi, thanks for your interest in Terri -- she needs all the friends she can get!

I suggest you go to http://www.terrisfight.org to start with -- click on "Who is Terri Schiavo?". The website is nicely set up with links for supporting documents and more info. Free Republic has lots of ongoing info in this day to day intense struggle for her life -- click on keyword "schiavo" at bottom of article for much more!

[cyn]

"the husband confines his wife to a small room under a sadistic prison-like regime, refusing to allow her to see pets as part of a therapy program" -- Praying that Terri is able to enjoy a furry kitty kiss very soon!

[cyn]

Hi -- yes, this neglect and abuse are indeed against the law -- that's why people have been kicking and screaming especially for the last several months here on FR!

This is a terrible miscarriage, total FAILURE, of justice, has been for many years. Yes, people have complained to the authorities -- especially when her feeding tube was pulled last month and she was starved & dehydrated for over 6 days(!). After much outcry, many emails & complaints this is finally being investigated -- will see if can find helpful links if you want to pursue that aspect. Thanks for your passion -- Terri needs it.

As http://www.terrisfight.org says, "We are in the fight of her life!" This has been the most intense onslaught of evil, all directed against Terri. It is the "right to die" movement at it's ugliest.

[pollywog]

-- Praying that Terri is able to enjoy a furry kitty kiss very soon!

me too cyn!! BTW If this is your kitty , I think we have her/his sister!!

[cyn]

I regret I don't have a picture of our "warrior kitty" to post; this one came from a cat "centerfold" website, lol!

h'mmm, I am looking for info on the disabled advocacy group that's looking at the abuse allegations -- and also that new post with the contact info for reporting abuse.

[sweetliberty]

Here is the information on the advocacy agency.

[sweetliberty]

Why are they referring to her as paralyzed now?

[cyn]

The article is from April 8. Here's a list of articles from that site

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I forgot all about this thread. It's from last Spring. I guess we should chalk it up as more of the early misinformation the Felos/Schiavo machine was spinning.

[Saundra Duffy]

BUMP - Terri is in a hospice which is for people who are TERMINAL. Terri is not terminal. She's just a person with disabilities. Michael Schiavo belongs behind bars.