Posted on 06/05/2005 11:45:26 AM PDT by 8mmMauser
"Too Late To Die Young: Nearly True Tales From a Life," by Harriet McBryde Johnson.
About two years ago, Harriet Johnson appeared on the cover of The New York Times Magazine. If you saw her portrait, you probably haven't forgotten it.
A thin woman in a wheelchair leans forward, a purple shawl draping one shoulder. Johnson describes it this way in her new memoir: "The portrait has been described as beautifully disturbing, and most nondisabled people seem to see it that way. I'd prefer to call it disturbingly beautiful, but I'll take it the other way around if I must."
Johnson has an unnamed muscle-wasting disease, but don't dare say she "suffers" from it. She insists on being her own complicated person, a Southern lady, for instance, as well as a socialist, an atheist, a lawyer and a born storyteller with a wicked sense of humor.
She eschews pity and sentimentality. She supports the work of Not Dead Yet, a group of anti-euthanasia activists who demonstrated outside Terri Schiavo's Pinellas Park hospice earlier this year, dramatically sliding out of their wheelchairs and lying on the ground.
And though Johnson hates the hackneyed trope of triumph in the face of disability, she nevertheless has a string of interesting adventures. She runs for elected office. She travels to Cuba to discuss disability rights. She protests the Jerry Lewis telethon annually in her hometown of Charleston, S.C., and she bribes her friends to join her with promises of free food.
Her gripe with the telethon is its grim prognostications. When she was 30, her mother became ill, and Johnson had to accept for the first time that, contrary to all expectations, she might indeed outlive her parents. "While anyone may die young, it's not something you can count on," she writes. "You have to be prepared to survive." It's that angry, proud but utterly normal brand of survival that is at the heart of Johnson's memoir.
The most fascinating chapter is her encounter with the philosopher and animal rights activist Peter Singer. (It was this encounter that rated The New York Times Magazine cover.) Singer believes that in some cases it is morally acceptable for parents to kill severely disabled infants. Johnson disagrees, so much so that she fears even debating him would dignify his ideas as socially acceptable. Nevertheless, she meets him, travels to Princeton University to debate him and ends up with a great story about it.
The best memoirs don't necessarily tell every event in a person's life, but they do capture the voice and the emotional feel of the author. Yes, it's impossible for a nondisabled person to fully know what Johnson's life is like. But her writing is so vibrant, so interesting and so funny that you can't help but feel as if you're in her world, sitting beside her and hearing her story for yourself.
From Cheryl Ford, latest:
8mm
Autopsy Leaves Unanswered the Reason for Terri Schiavo's Collapse
http://www.earnedmedia.org/lld0616.htm
Autopsy Leaves Unanswered the Reason for Terri Schiavo's Collapse
To: National Desk
Contact: Dana Cody, of the Life Legal Defense Foundation, 916-727-4396
NAPA, Calif., June 16 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Legal Defense Foundation decries the mischaracterizations rampant in the secular media in the wake of the release of a June 13th, 2005, autopsy report by Pinellas County Medical Examiner John R. Thogmartin. Major media outlets are eager to represent Thogmartin's report as completely vindicating those who opted to kill Terri Schiavo. In fact, it does no such thing.
Published reports too numerous to list have stated that Thogmartin supports allegations ofTerri Schiavo's being in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). ABC radio news has even said the report shows Terri to have been "essentially brain dead." Yet Thogmartin himself points out that a diagnosis of PVS can only be made of a living patient (page 8).
Thogmortin merely verifies that Terri suffered from severe brain damage -- something that was already known and admitted by all parties. This does not make Terri "brain dead" or a "vegetable." The mass media are woefully irresponsible when they say that it does.
The most newsworthy finding in Thogmartin's report was that the Schiavo/Felos account of Terri's initial brain injury is unsupported by the evidence. The diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, says Thogmartin, is suspect (page 3) -- but this is exactly the premise upon which Michael Schiavo based the malpractice suit that made him a wealthy man, with funds sufficient to employ George Felos.
The cause of Terri's collapse remains a mystery. Thogmartin not only stated this point (page 2) but emphasized it at his press conference. Since Michael Schiavo was the only person present at the time of this collapse, only he knows what happened. Why isn't he telling?
Life Legal maintains that Terri Schiavo was an innocent person and that her brain damage did not constitute just cause to murder her by dehydration.
Currently, Life Legal is having a medical doctor review the report in the hope that further insights may be provided.
Life Legal Defense Foundation, was established in 1989, and is a non-profit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens, committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. Life Legal Defense Foundation provided funding for the Schindler's legal expenses in their fight to save Terri's life.
Fight4Terri @aol.com
Theresa Marie Schindler
December 3, 1963 ~ March 31, 2005
Light a candle For Terri at her online Memorial Website
Memory-of.com - Memorial website in memory of Theresa Schindler (1963-2005)
http://theresa-schindler.memory-of.com/about.aspx
Visit: www.fight4terri.blogspot.com
Visit Terri's site: www.terrisfight.org
Cheryl Ford, RN (Fight4Terri@aol.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.
More from Cheryl Ford
Click here: Terri Schiavo's Family Responds to Medical Examiner's Report
http://www.lifenews.com/bio1032.html
Terri Schiavo's Family Responds to Medical Examiner's Report
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 16, 2005
Minneapolis, MN (LifeNews.com) -- In a press conference held at the National Right to Life convention, Thursday afternoon, the family of Terri Schiavo responded to an autopsy report released by a local medical examiner following the thirteen day starvation and dehydration death of Terri Schiavo.
Terri's sister Suzanne Vitadamo read a statement on behalf of herself, Terri's parents Bob and Mary Schindler and Terri's brother Bobby.
Vitadamo said the Schindler family was "not challenging the findings" of the report, but she indicated they hoped to provide some perspective missing in the reporting on it.
She indicated the Schindler family knew of Terri's severe physical and mental conditions prior to the report and said that it confirms that Terri was "brutally dehydrated to death."
Vitadamo disputed the notion she said appears in media stories about Terri that her sister would not have wanted to live in her incapacitated condition or to be the victim of euthanasia.
"There is absolutely no evidence that Terri wanted to die of dehydration, or that she believed that that the level of one's disability gives anyone the moral and legal right to end another's life," Vitadamo said.
"Terri was dehydrated to death before our eyes. The moral shame of what happened is not erased because of Terri's level of disability," she added.
Vitadamo said that society has "lost our compassion for the disabled" by virtue of saying people who are blind or mentally disabled, like Terri, are better off dying.
Terri's sister pointed out some of the key findings of the report that she indicated corroborated some of the things the Schindler family asserted throughout the legal battle. They included:
* Terri had a strong heart and was likely capable of living for a decade or more had she not been starved. Terri's condition was not terminal.
* Terri had injuries to her brain, but she was not brain dead. "Many seem to not understand this absolutely critical distinction."
* The medical report ruled out bulimia and heart attack as a cause of Terri's condition, leaving potential physical abuse on the list of possibilities.
* Vitadamo said the report leaves a 70-minute gap between the time Teri collapsed and the time her estranged husband Michael called 911. "The major question for our family that now remains is what happened," she said. "When a person is without blood and oxygen to their brain, 70 minutes is a terribly long time when each second counts."
* Vitadamo questioned how Terri could have been found lying face down on the floor with her hands crossed and up high against her chest.
* Vitadamo said the underlying basis of the malpractice case has been disproved with the autopsy ruling out bulimia as the cause of the collapse. "Our family would encourage Michael Schiavo to do the right thing and return the funds that were paid by the innocent doctors who were sued for Terri's collapse," she said.
* Terri's sister also asked Michael to tell the Schindler family his plans for Terri's remains so they can give her a proper burial.
* She indicated that the report showed Terri would not be able to eat and drink on her own and said the Schindler family wasn't surprised because she had been denied therapy for twelve years.
* She pointed out that Dr. William Cheshire, a neurologist from the Mayo Clinic, agree with the Schindler family that Terri was awake and aware and at least somewhat cognitive.
* Vitadamo said they knew Terri was visually impaired, Terri clearly saw friends and family, and that Terri could have lost her eyesight during the starvation.
* She said that it appeared contradictory that Terri was given morphine and yet the autopsy claims Terri was unable to feel pain because of her mental condition.
Vitadamo closed and reaffirmed the Schindler family's commitment to fighting for the rights of disabled people.
"Our prayer at this time is that our Nation will remember the plight of persons with disabilities and commit within our hearts to defend their lives and their dignity for many generations to come," she said.
A couple of days ago my husband got a polled about Jeb and the republican party . He ( Iam proud of him) used to opportunity to blast Jeb about the handling of this travesty of justice concerning Terri. I am wondering if more people who were polled expressed the same and that is what got Jeb off his duff.
This is a joke, right?
(If not, it's way too little, far too late. Insultingly so.)
Anyone up for an investigation of why Jeb Bush gave that presser about saving Terri, then backed down as if his own LE had intimidated him? How about an investigation into the governor's backbone for letting a threat of insurrection go unpunished? [self-deleting profanity]
Letter To State Attorney From Gov. Jeb Bush
http://news.tbo.com/news/MGB9RU2J2AE.html
June 17, 2005
Via Facsimile and U.S. Mail Facsimile
The Honorable Bernie McCabe State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit
Dear Mr. McCabe,
Wednesday the Chief Medical Examiner for Pinellas County issued his report on the autopsy of Terri Schiavo. While the report clarifies many questions surrounding the case, it leaves some unanswered.
Of particular interest are the report's findings as to the cause of Mrs. Schiavo's original injuries. The report indicates that there was little evidence of an eating disorder, previously the lead theory of the cause of her injuries. The report also indicates that blood tests conducted on Mrs. Schiavo in 1990 upon her collapse were routine and would not necessarily have detected or ruled out many types of drugs or toxins. The report rules out any overt or blunt trauma, but could not rule out or positively identify other causes. As a result, the cause of her injuries is more in doubt than ever.
Also of interest is the gap in time between Mr. Schiavo's discovery of Mrs. Schiavo's collapse and the 911 call he made to request assistance. According to Mr. Schiavo's testimony in the medical malpractice trial in 1992, he discovered Mrs. Schiavo had collapsed at about 5:00 a.m. According to his comments in a 2003 television interview, he found her at about 4:30 a.m. According to the Chief Medical Examiner's report, Mr. Schiavo placed the 911 call at approximately 5:40 a.m. Between 40 and 70 minutes elapsed before the call was made, and I am aware of no explanation for the delay.
In light of this new information, I urge you to take a fresh look at this case without any preconceptions as to the outcome. I understand that these events took place many years ago, and that you may not be able to collect all the relevant records and physical evidence. However, Mrs. Schiavo's family deserves to know anything that can be done to determine the cause and circumstances of her collapse 15 years ago has been done. The unanswered questions may be unanswerable, but the attempt should be made. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Jeb Bush
Thanks for your comments and I agree.
Another example of the "game" is shown on this thread
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1423508/posts
One poster blueblazes was banned for no known reason that others can find - other than the wrong viewpoint.
And I have been advised by one poster that he has cancelled his monthly subscription and will no longer be posting. Another new poster was hurt by the attack from some poster that she previously had admired. Don't know if she will be posting or not.
Another interesting point - the talk of libel on that thread. I even got to the point I began to suspect we had Michael relatives posting - or, could it be, Michael (LOL).
I'm glad on this thread bykrbabe reprinted the purpose of FR as I was beginning to have doubts myself after posting for 5 years.
So, we just hang in there. Any that are attacked or hurt by posts, contact others here or supporting Terri and we will support you.
But, now without a Living Will in Florida, you are subject to any hearsay evidence from even a neighbor if your relatives live out of state. And, notice how it is the lv can be ignored if they wish.
They also state that advanced directives providing for treatment should not carry the same weight as directives withdrawing care, and advanced directives should not compel the physican to provide them, regardless if the patient needs them (Doty). Doty is part of the Florida Bioethics Network as well as Project Grace. One of the changes in the law in CB/CB/SB 2228 includes the Bioethics Network as part of the process of withdrawing care."
Right on target.....
8mm
thanks for all the pings.. I have to keep focused on the fact that it wouldn't matter if Terri had been a drooling "vegetable" (she wasn't), she still didn't deserve to die this way.. even if I believed in "assisted suicide", I still wouldn't believe that anyone would choose dehydration over a quick overdose of morphine or sleeping pills. The criminals get a "humane" death, why wouldn't the disabled?
That is their next step so that it will make their killing more "acceptable".
The killing just needs to be stopped.
Exactly.
When you consider the horrible inhumane way like this to kill anyone or anything, it is unfathomable.
What would our detractors say if we deigned to dehydrate our dogs and cats this way? What if we decided to use this method to execute our most heinous serial killers?
If a detractor who has all the excuses of how it was painless and peaceable were to have a choice for his/her own passing or for that of a pet, would they choose this?
Yet, Terri had armed guards at her bedside to ensure not a drop of water touched her swollen tongue, to ensure nobody could give her the tiniest mercy, to ensure she died the horrible death ordained by her killers.
Bush asks for Schiavo Investigation
8mm
Thanks.
I doubt Bernie McCabe will find anything. He's never seemed interested in Terri's case. Terri supporters have written him, emailed him, and picketed his office wanting an investigation before Terri died and he did nothing. I expect nothing from him now either.
Another Cheryl Ford ping. I know I am pinging a lot, but still more things are happening to the issue of Terri that grows instead of going away.
8mm
From Cheryl Ford
I DO NOT PERSONALLY BELIEVE IN MEDIA HYPE AND POLLS OF SUCH KIND.
HOWEVER, I ALSO DO NOT LIKE TO SEE NUMBERS SUPPORTING NO INVESTIGATION INTO TERRI'S COLLAPSE AS ARE SEEN HERE IN THIS POLL.
THEREFORE, I ASK TERRI SUPPORTERS TO PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO VOTE AND CHANGE THESE NUMBERS.
THANK YOU,
CHERYL
Click here: AOL News - Probe Sought in Terri Schiavo 911 Call
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050617112809990001
Fight4Terri @aol.com
Theresa Marie Schindler
December 3, 1963 ~ March 31, 2005
Light a candle For Terri at her online Memorial Website
Memory-of.com - Memorial website in memory of Theresa Schindler (1963-2005)
http://theresa-schindler.memory-of.com/about.aspx
Visit: www.fight4terri.blogspot.com
It started with abortion, it's just a matter of degrees now.. and why do we assume that those who have expressed a wish to die are competent to make that decision? We have competency hearings for other things but not for the wish to die? If it's ok then why is suicide still a crime? As the wicked witch said before she melted "what a world, what a world.....".
Sometimes I can't believe what we've come to.. and people wonder why I only like happy movies and books... perhaps because there's enough ugliness in the world, I don't want it in my entertainment...
That's what my wife says. After years in the political world, we watch old movies, read light book topics, avoid most of the media. She won't watch the news anymore.
8mm
You are right.
I was all for the federal government getting in this until a kind freeper explain to me why others are so against that. He said - Abortion is the prime example of what happens when the federal government gets involved - the whole country is under the stupid law that got passed against our will and we are unable to turn it over.
If medical matters are kept to the state level, one state (such as Florida) may make horrible laws - but, it does not taint the other states. If the federal government makes a bad law - it affects all people in the country and we have no way to overturn it.
Sure made sense to me.
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