Posted on 03/18/2005 3:53:54 PM PST by jonboy
I get SOOOOO tired and exasperated at so many of these people talking about Terri as though she is vegetative. I lost a friend last November who was in a vegetative state for 4 days before she died. Her eyes were open, she was breathing by machine, and there was nothing and I mean nothing alive about her. It was one of the most wrenching things I've ever experienced.
For those who HAVE NOT familiarized themselves with Terri's situation, follow the links and educate yourselves. I'm sick of people speaking on this forum about her who have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE about her situation. Your UNINFORMED opinion is NOT needed, NOT wanted, and NOT helpful. Watch the videos on the links provided and you will see a severely brain damaged woman responding on a very basic level. You will NOT see a woman who is vegetative or in a coma. If you want to have Terri killed anyway due to her problems, just be consistent and say that you would like ALL people like her killed as well. And don't say we should defer to the family. THE FAMILY OF THIS WOMAN IS BEING SHUT OUT. And this is being done by the man who though still "technically" married to her has fathered two children out of wedlock and is living with their mother.
It could not be more obvious that this woman needs more time. I heard the woman on CNN earlier today saying that Terri was going to be given pain medication. PAIN medication!!! Where are the questions from the evil brain dead media? Why does a "vegetative" woman in a "coma" need PAIN medication?
As the situation stands, Terri's parents contend that her tragedy began under mysterious circumstances, that her husband may have had a violent past that she may have been victim to, and that Michael Schiavo has motive to want her dead beyond his stated desire to "keep her wishes." Furthermore, they think that Terri may be rehabilitated to a point if given the opportunity (which thus far she has not). WHY will they not be allowed to take care of this woman?! If she is in a vegetative state, what the heck difference will it make to her anyway? THINK people on the evil or uninformed side of this!!!
Follow the links:
Terri and her Mother
Swab Test
Terri Responding to Music
Tracking a Balloon for Dr. Cranford
Asked to Open Her Eyes
"How's Your Cold?"
Not in and of itself, of course. I could say such things in my sleep without being conscious.
If they were clear and verified verbalizations, that would be more than the current state of Mrs. Schiavo. The Schindlers' lawyer makes a claim that a grunted utterance is an attempt at language, and the policeman denies the story...well, that's not close to enough evidence to deny this woman's rights.
But if we DID have clear evidence that this woman would want something other than to be let go to heaven now, I would support a move toward that.
Well, the way I see it, it's the Schindlers doing the lies and half-truths. I admit that "terrisfight.org" was compelling until I started doing more research and finding out the whole story.
I believe that the problem is an overall lack of respect of our rights, across the board. Individual issues are one thing, but when we have a disregard for individuals and their preferences...it's a losing path. Then, saying "fight for life at all costs" is just a patchwork bandage that actually worsens things.
IF society cared enough about individuals, it would allow them to choose their own deliverance, and not make us live in fear that we will be hooked up to a machine against our will. If we respected individuals, we wouldn't loot their estates.
Every day I live, I put my "superior analytical skills" to work working to improve peoples' lives, often at deep personal sacrifice. But death is a part of life, too, and there's no sense ostriching. If we ostrich, we only hurt ourselves.
Show me where Terri states she chooses to die especially by starvation.It wasn't as much of an option at that time, as feedings were not classified by the Florida State legislature as "life support" then. I quess they needed to increase their reimbursements from the Feds.
Terri, instead has chosen to express by the only means she has been allowed, her will, by continuing to survive through all the abuse, neglect and two previous starvings, that Greer and her husband of five months have mandated. I think if you follow the money you will find yourself in bed with some real creeps.
Also...haven't you found those MRI and PET scans that would make this all moot?
Even though it's not a choice, I have expressed my desire for physician assistance in self-deliverance if I reach that point in my life. Simply saying "it wasn't much of an option" is a red herring. Besides, who better than her husband to tell what she would have wanted, given the circumstances?
Survival is not an indication of will. It's quite clear that Mrs. Schiavo is not consciously surviving. A body can continue with autonomous functions, despite no higher cognition. In fact, many people have tried to "will themselves dead" unsuccessfully....some of them deciding later to just do it the messy way, with a rope or gun or whatever.
If you advocate an MRI for Mrs. Schiavo, then are you suggesting we yank the electrodes out of her head or let the MRI machine do it for us? What's your point?
I personally think you need to ground yourself in some reality. YOUR electrodes have shorted out!!
The instinct to survive is not as fragile or as fleeting as you would believe. But don't believe me, go find out for yourself. Visit any rest home. I dare you.
Don't forget to keep looking for those MRI and PET scans that collaborate the PVS dx.
Huh?
I'm the one arguing that the instict to survive is VERY STRONG!
What are you talking about with the MRI/PET scans? What is your point?
Calling Mrs. Schiavo a fool?
There are none so deaf as those who will not hear.
Sorry, no, but I just realized I was talking with one.
Well, a lot of time has passed. I'm curious if you would like to add any new remarks.
I've been in the middle of a recent debate on Terri that sprang up here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1516239/posts?page=59#59
Thank you for fighting the Good Fight, and FRegards....
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