Those who work in rehab (...RN's, OT's PT's, MD's, ect...) know very well that these people may never function as "normal", but will try to make them comfortable, and help their quality of life in any way they can.
In whatever state they are, especially if they are in "stable" condition.
She was not "dying" until they pulled her hydration.
We are not to judge the "quality" of life, that's up to God. Especially if she was Catholic-Christian.
Others who don't subscribe to that thought, will do otherwise.
(flame suit on)
I agree. I used to do contract work as a therapeutic musician in hospitals, nursing homes and such. I sang to people not unlike Ms. Schiavo. No one in these institutions talked of what they did NOT have, we all looked at what they did have, and more importantly, accorded them the respect due any diseased or aged human being.
I of course hold to the belief that my singing touched the souls and spirits of those people who could not respond verbally. Sometimes you would see eyes twitch, sometimes a tear, sometimes a groan. Those were human souls responding to stimulation.
OF COURSE Terri was there. I wish I could have sung for her in her final days, or even before. Perhaps I will do this kind of work again, just as protest to the kill Terri (oh sorry, let Terri die) crowd.