Posted on 02/12/2005 8:05:31 AM PST by amdgmary
A Family's Torment - Terri Schiavo
The following items are among many very frustrating circumstances that Terri Schiavo’s parents, brother, and sister consider to be abuses of Terri on the part of Michael Schiavo. As a parent, can you imagine having to just be a bystander while these abuses are inflicted on your child? All of these have been condoned by Judge Greer and the Pinellas County officials.
Denial of Therapy, Rehabilitation and Necessary Services
FS 744.3215 Rights of persons determined incapacitated
FS 837.021 Perjury by contradictory statements Records show that in 1992 Michael Schiavo, Terri Schiavo’s legal guardian, sued Terri’s gynecologist for negligent care. During this weeklong trial, Michael testified, assuring the judge and jury that he needed millions of dollars to properly care for Terri, bring her home, and provide Terri with proper therapy and care for the rest of his life.
Contrary to Michael Schiavo’s testimony, medical records indicate that after receiving the proceeds of the 1992 Medical Malpractice Trial totaling close to one million dollars not a single day of proper therapy or rehabilitation has been administered to Terri Schiavo, and Terri has been confined to a bed.
In fact, the spring of 1993, just several months after Michael Schiavo promised to provide life-long therapy and care for his wife, Michael revealed his first attempt to end Terri’s life testifying that he instructing caregivers not to treat Terri’s life-threatening infection. In 1995, Michael Schiavo again attempted to end Terri’s life in this manner by refusing Terri proper medical treatment.
In 1998, with close to eight hundred thousand dollars in Terri’s fund, Michael Schiavo petitioned the court to remove Terri’s feeding and hydration tube so that she would die.
Michael Schiavo is the inheritor of Terri’s Medical Trust.
Visitation Lists and Violation of Court Orders
In March 2000, Michael Schiavo, Terri Schiavo’s legal guardian, requested an emergency hearing in front of Judge George Greer, asking the court to severely restrict all family members and friends of the Schindler’s from visiting Terri.
The court agreed to restrict those that could visit Terri, and granted the Schindler family a fifteen minutes recess to create a visitors list. The court then allowed Michael Schiavo to deny/accept the visitors listed by the Schindler’s before any anyone could visit with Terri.
Further Visitation Restrictions
Subsequent to this, in a separate hearing, Michael Schiavo asked the court to again restrict visitations asking that the court to only allow those on the approved visitors list to visit Terri while in the company of Terri’s family.
This would take the place of the previous court order in which those on the approved visitation list could visit Terri, on their own schedule, without Terri’s family present.
The court approved this request.
Without Court Order
Additionally, Michael Schiavo has added and deleted visitors from the approved list without seeking court permission.
Recently, Michael Schiavo arbitrarily decided to remove several of Terri’s family members from the list because he felt they did not visit Terri regularly.
Many of Terri’s family members live out of the state of Florida and can only make occasionally trips to visit Terri.
On several occasions, the family has asked permission from Michael Schiavo to add individual friends and family members to visit with Terri. Michael Schiavo has denied this request each time.
Refusal to Fix or Replace Wheelchair
FS 744.3215 Right of persons determined incapacitated.
Records indicate that since 2000, and regardless of the requests by Terri Schiavo’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, to have Terri’s wheelchair repaired, Michael Schiavo, Terri Schiavo’s legal guardian, has refused to repair her wheelchair.
If Terri was permitted by Michael to leave her Hospice bedroom and go outside, the fact that Terri does not have a properly working wheelchair makes it very difficult to transport Terri in anything other than the bed, which is where her guardian instructs for Terri to spend most of her day.
Subsequently, for over four years, Terri’s family has been refused by Michael Schiavo the permission for Terri to be taken outside, or leave her room for any reason.
Denied Swallow Therapy
FS 744.3215 Rights of persons determined incapacitated
Contrary to what is reported by Michael Schiavo, Terri Schiavo’s legal guardian, and his attorney’s, records indicate that Terri Schiavo has not received a swallowing test to determine if she could swallow since sometime in 1992.
Terri’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have the testimony of several physicians and have submitted additional affidavits to the court since the original January 2000 trial stating that, with proper therapy, Terri could be taught to not only eat food again, but also speak.
Furthermore, a speech therapist from the University of Chicago, Ms. Sara Green Mele, MS, CCC-SLP, submitted an affidavit in 2002 stating that after thoroughly studying tapes and reading Terri’s medical files strongly believes that Terri can be taught to once again swallow food, and also be taught to speak again. In fact, Ms. Mele believes that Terri is communicating right now. Additionally, Ms. Mele stated the she has treated patients in worse condition than Terri that have been successfully re-taught to swallow and consume food.
Michael Schiavo has brought contradictory testimony from doctors to the court stating that Terri cannot swallow food. They claim that it would be very dangerous to see if Terri is able to eat and could cause her to aspirate, which could then lead to a painful death by choking.
The Judge in this case, George Greer, has sided with Michael Schiavo’s doctors believing that Terri cannot be taught to eat again and therefore has refused to grant even a test to see if this in fact would be true.
Therefore, Judge Greer has denied any swallowing therapy believing that a potential death by aspiration and choking is more agonizing than his order to have Terri die by starvation and dehydration.
Note: In the January 2000 trial, Michael Schiavo was asked by his attorney if there was some type of therapy that could possibly help Terri would he provide it for her.
Michael’s answer was that he would be there in a heartbeat.
Confining Terri to a Single Room
FS 744.3215 Right of persons determined incapacitated
When Terri Schiavo’s family, the Schindler’s, visit with Terri at Hospice and would like to take her outside, the nursing staff must first ask Terri’s legal guardian, Michael Schiavo for permission.
For the past four years, Michael Schiavo has repeatedly denied the request by Terri’s parents and siblings for permission to take Terri outside. Subsequently, Terri has been confined to her Hospice room, not permitted to leave her room for any reason, for over four years, and is confined to her bed where she spends most of her time.
Additionally, prior to 2000 when Michael Schiavo began his orders for Terri not to leave her room, it is impossible to know the frequency in which Terri was taken outside other than when her parents requested to do so.
Denial of Medical Treatment for Life Threatening Infection
FS 825.102 Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Elderly Persons and Disabled Adults
According to the testimony of Michael Schiavo, he assured a judge and jury in November 1992 that his wife, Terri Schiavo, would be given proper therapy and care for the rest of his life.
However, medical records indicate that after receiving the proceeds of the 1992 Medical Malpractice Trial totaling close to one million dollars not a single day of proper rehabilitation or therapy has been given to Terri.
And in the spring of 1993, just a few months after this Medical Malpractice was awarded to Terri, Michael Schiavo, Terri’s legal guardian, instructed caregivers not to treat Terri who had acquired a common but life threatening infection. This happened again in 1995. Note: Michael is the inheritor of this Medical Trust.
Michael Schiavo’s testimony - November 1993.
Q. What was her bladder condition?
Michael Schiavo: She had a UTI.
Q. What is that?
Michael Schiavo: Urinary tract infection.
Q. What did the doctor tell you treatment for that would be?
Michael Schiavo: Antibiotic usually.
Q. And did he tell you what would occur if you failed to treat that infection? What did he tell you?
Michael Schiavo: That sometimes urinary tract infection will turn to sepsis.
Q. And sepsis is what?
Michael Schiavo: An infection throughout the body.
Q. And what would the result of untreated sepsis be to the patient?
Michael Schiavo: The patient would pass on.
Denial of Personal Items, Gifts
FS 744.3215 Right of persons determined incapacitated.
Terri Schiavo resides is at a Hospice facility and is confined to a small room. Therefore, Terri’s family, the Schindler's, will try and personalize and warm her room by adding family photos. Michael Schiavo, Terri’s legal guardian, has removed family pictures from Terri’s room not to be returned.
Additionally, on several occasions, family and friends of Terri have sent flowers and cards of support to be given to her and placed in her room. Michael Schiavo has refused any cards to be displayed or for flowers to be to be delivered and placed in Terri’s room. He instructs the nurses to place the flowers at the nurse’s station.
Denial of Stimulation
In Terri Schiavo’s room, there is a small radio equipped with a CD player that Terri is permitted to listen to.
On several occasions, Terri’s family has brought some of Terri’s favorite music CD’s for Terri so that she can listen with earphones. In order to play Terri these CD’s, the Hospice nurses must first phone Michael Schiavo to ask permission. Without any reason given, Michael Schiavo refuses to allow Terri’s family to play her these CD’s.
One occasion in particular, Terri’s mother, Mary Schindler, played Terri a CD in the portable CD player. Mrs. Schindler was reprimanded by Michael Schiavo when this incident prompted the nurses to phone him inquiring what Mrs. Schindler was doing.
This restriction continues, and Terri is not permitted to listen to music via headphones.
Denial of Interaction with Parent
Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed in October 2003. During one of the visits by Terri’s mother, Mary, attempted to apply lip-gloss to Terri’s lips. A security policeman stationed outside Terri’s door informed Mrs. Schindler that she was not permitted to apply any lip-gloss to Terri’s lips.
During a family visit with Terri in February 2004, Terri’s brother, Bobby Schindler, attempted to move Terri’s Geri chair that she was sitting in to the front of the window so that she could receive some fresh air. The nurse stopped Terri from being moved and informed Terri’s brother that he was not permitted to move Terri without the permission of the nursing staff. This information was given to Michael and Bobby was warned not to be a disruptive visitor.
Michael Schiavo Refuses to Dissolve Marriage FS 798.01 Living in Open Adultery
Since 1995, Michael Schiavo, Terri’s legal guardian, has been engaged to and living with Jodi Centzone. Michael Schiavo has fathered two children with this woman.
Michael Schiavo is currently married to Terri Schiavo. The two were married in a Catholic Nuptial Mass, November 1984.
Incidentally, in order to be married in a Catholic ceremony, and at the insistence of Terri because Michael was not Catholic, Michael agreed to get a special dispensation. One stipulation to receive a special dispensation was that Michael agreed to raise any children that Terri and he may have as Roman Catholics.
Incidentally, the manner in which the Schindler family was made aware that Michael was engaged to another woman while still married to Terri was receiving the obituary of Michael’s mother, Claire Schiavo, when she died in 1997.
In part of the obituary it was stated that Claire Schiavo is survived by Michael Schiavo and his fiancé Jodi Centzone. There was no mention of Michael Schiavo’s wife, Terri.
This happened once again in 2001 when Michael Schiavo's father passed away. While Jodi Centzone was mentioned as Michael’s fiancé, there was no mentioning of Michael’s current wife, Terri.
Note: Michael Schiavo did testify that he was in fact engaged to marry Jodi Centzone once his wife has passed away.
Ping
We need to remove that line "land of the free, home of the brave" in reference to poor Terri. Hitler must be guffawing from the pits of hell now!
This is so sad, is there anything else that can be done?
God Bless this brave woman!
"On several occasions, Terri’s family has brought some of Terri’s favorite music CD’s for Terri so that she can listen with earphones. In order to play Terri these CD’s, the Hospice nurses must first phone Michael Schiavo to ask permission. Without any reason given, >>> Michael Schiavo refuses to allow Terri’s family to play her these CD’s. <<<As has been often noted, we are not allowed to treat prisoners or animals the way Ms. Schiavo is treated.One occasion in particular, Terri’s mother, Mary Schindler, played Terri a CD in the portable CD player. Mrs. Schindler was reprimanded by Michael Schiavo when this incident prompted the nurses to phone him inquiring what Mrs. Schindler was doing.
This restriction continues, and Terri is not permitted to listen to music via headphones."
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Apparently the only rights that are important to Michael Schiavo are those that will lead to her death.
I'm so glad to see you.
I can't believe that one person can have such control over another as to restrict them from going outdoors, having pictures to look, flowers to smell, music to listen to, or any type of stimulation for that matter.
Every parent here knows that if you were to place the same restrictions upon your child that Michael has placed upon Terri and DCF knew about it you'd be in very hot water!!
787.02 False imprisonment; false imprisonment of child under age 13, aggravating circumstances.--
(1)(a) The term "false imprisonment" means forcibly, by threat, or secretly confining, abducting, imprisoning, or restraining another person without lawful authority and against her or his will.
(2) A person who commits the offense of false imprisonment is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
Very well done, mary!
The rights that have been denied this woman and her family have created an extraordinarily harsh situation for a supposedly free society.
Thank you.
Terri following instructions to open her eyes and turn to face the doctor. THIS IS NOT A CIVIL MATTER. IT IS A CRIME, THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY. Government handing a disabled American a death warrant.
The King of Spain is outraged. I hope he speaks Espanol to Jeb Bush and President Bush about this crisis.
> The King of Spain is outraged.
URL or press article about the Spanish King's position?
Hopefully this can be parlayed into movement to protect and save Terri.
Bump!
By the way, yesterday was Jeb's birthday and we're so busy with Terri, I don't think anybody noted that Jeb turned 52. Happy Birthday Jeb and now put Terri into protective custody. You're a big boy now.
Terri ping! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!
Actually, reading this makes my blood boil!! It can be nothing but DELIBERATE on the part of Judge Greer to be a party to such CRUELTY and CORRUPT TYRANNY!! This girl is in grave danger as all appeals have run out and IF Governor Bush does not step in it's over. And it will be over quite soon I'm afraid. I have prayed fervently and continually for Terri to be released from this man imposed bondage. However it came to me just the other day that it is WE, God's people, who are HIS hand and feet and mouthpieces on this earth and God makes sure we are supported and surrounded by a host of angels to assist and protect us. It is therefore God's people that must take the physical action to rescue this girl from certain murder.
Ok, I'm no lawyer, and perhaps I missed it somewhere, but why is it this one, singular judge has total jurisdiction in this case?
Good question. Three reasons that I can see: (1) cases related to the same parties are assigned automatically to the same judge, since it is presumed that judge will be more familiar with the cases and will not have to spend time informing themselves about the case background; (2) judges are supposed to recuse themselves if a conflict of interest exists, but are trusted to make that determination for themselves; (3) the appeals court system is predicated upon judges honestly reporting the bases for their decisions and fairly considering evidence; if a judge claims to have looked at evidence he in fact did not, the appeals court can do nothing about it.
Bump!
You are right - we are our brother's keepers and are responsible to defend the most vulnerable. I'm all for hiring mercenaries to take to directly to Walter Reed for impartial evaluation. I'd be happy to donate.
Also, I have no knowledge of the law but, if the worst happens, can we Freepers file a wrongful death suit - perhaps in another state?
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