Myths About Terri Schiavo

terrisfight.org ^

[Recovering_Democrat]

Most Common Questions and Answers

If Terri hasn't recovered after all these years of therapy, why not let go?

Terri hasn't had meaningful therapy since 1991, but many credible physicians say she can benefit from it.

Why can't Terri just divorce?

Terri's husband/guardian speaks for her. She cannot divorce without his permission

Does Terri have an advanced directive or any wishes about her healthcare?

Terri never signed any directive or living will and there is no evidence that she foresaw her present situation.

Why do Terri's family fight to keep her alive? Shouldn't they let her husband decide?

Terri's husband has started another family and probably has gone on with his life. Terri's family want to provide her therapy and a safe home.

Is Terri receiving life support?

Not in the traditional sense. Terri only receives food and fluids via a simple tube.

Isn't removing her tube a natural and dignified way to die?

No. Dehydration and starvation cause horrific effects and are anything but peaceful. Read more here.

 

Most common misconceptions about Terri's situation

MYTH: Terri is PVS (Persistent vegetative state)

FACT: The definition of PVS in Florida Statue 765.101:
Persistent vegetative state means a permanent and irreversible condition of unconsciousness in which there is:

(a) The absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of ANY kind.
(b) An inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment.

Terri's behavior does not meet the medical or statutory definition of persistent vegetative state. Terri responds to stimuli, tries to communicate verbally, follows limited commands, laughs or cries in interaction with loved ones, physically distances herself from irritating or painful stimulation and watches loved ones as they move around her. None of these behaviors are simple reflexes and are, instead, voluntary and cognitive. Though Terri has limitations, she does interact purposefully with her environment.

MYTH: Terri does not need rehabilitation
FACT: Florida Statute 744.3215 Rights of persons determined incapacitated:

(1) A person who has been determined to be incapacitated retains the right
(i) To receive necessary services and rehabilitation.

This is a retained right that a guardian cannot take away.  Additionally, it does not make exception for PVS patients. Terri has illegally been denied rehabilitation - as many nurses have sworn in affidavits.

MYTH: Removal of food was both legal and court-ordered.
FACT: The courts had only allowed removal of Terri's feeding tube, not regular food and water. Terri's husband illegally ordered this. The law only allows the removal of "life-prolonging procedures," not regular food and water:

Florida Statute 765.309 Mercy killing or euthanasia not authorized; suicide distinguished. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve mercy killing or euthanasia, or to permit any affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying.

MYTH: Many doctors have said that there is no hope for her.
FACT: Dr. Victor Gambone testified that he visits Terri 3 times a year. His visits last for approximately 10 minutes. He also testified, after viewing the court videotapes at Terri’s recent trial, that he was surprised to see Terri’s level of awareness. This doctor is part of a team hand-picked by her husband, Michael Schiavo, shortly before he filed to have Terri’s feeding removed. Contrary to Schiavo’s team, 14 independent medical professionals (6 of them neurologists) have given either statements or testimony that Terri is NOT in a Persistent Vegetative State. Additionally, there has never been any medical dispute of Terri’s ability to swallow. Even with this compelling evidence, Terri’s husband, Michael Schiavo, has denied any form of therapy for her for over 10 years.

Dr. Melvin Greer, appointed by Schiavo, testified that a doctor need not examine a patient to know the appropriate medical treatment. He spent approximately 45 minutes with Terri. Dr. Peter Bambakidis, appointed by Judge Greer, spent approximately 30 minutes with Terri. Dr. Ronald Cranford, also appointed by Schiavo and who has publicly labeled himself “Dr. Death”, spent less than 45 minutes examining and interacting with Terri.

MYTH: This is just a family battle over money.
FACT: In 1992, Terri was awarded nearly one million dollars by a malpractice jury and an out-of-court malpractice settlement which was designated for future medical expenses. Of these funds, less than $50,000 remains today. The financial records revealing how Terri’s medical fund money is managed are SEALED from inspection. Court records, however, show that Judge Greer has approved the spending down of Terri’s medical fund on Schiavo’s attorney’s fees - though it was expressly awarded to Terri for her medical care. Schiavo’s primary attorney, George Felos, has received upwards of $400,000 dollars since Schiavo hired him. This same attorney, at the expense of Terri’s medical fund, publicly likened Terri to a “houseplant” and has used Terri’s case on national television to promote his newly published book.

MYTH: Michael Schiavo volunteered to donate the balance of the inheritance to charity.
FACT: In October, 1998, Schiavo’s attorney proposed that, if Terri’s parents would agree to her death by starvation, Schiavo would donate his inheritance to charity. The proposal came after a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem cited Schiavo’s conflict of interest since he stood to inherit the balance of Terri’s medical fund upon her death. This one and only offer stated “if the proposal is not fully accepted within 10 days, it shall automatically be withdrawn”. Naturally, Terri’s parents immediately rejected the offer.

[Awestruck]

excellent! but you know what? unfortunately just like liberals (which they actually are) the facts won't sway them.. they only care about killing Terri.. they only want her dead.. to hell with the facts..

[lainde]

Very informative post. Thanks! Hope you had a chance to read the National Review article: " Starving for a Fair Diagnosis". Blows away the medical basis for the bogus PVS diagnosis.

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/johansen200503160848.asp

[Awestruck]

PING!!! here are some facts..not that you ghouls actually care...

[Future Useless Eater]

>>"Judge Greer has approved the spending down of Terri’s medical fund on Schiavo’s attorney’s fees"

on a different thread, and also at theempirejournal.com I recall reading that Judge Greer has QUITE a racket in the death-for-profit industry!

If your loved one gets snagged into the Greer/Felos racket, you almost NEVER get your loved one back. But if you luck out and DO get the person out of their death-camp, all the MONEY the loved one once had will be LONG GONE.

[CAluvdubya]

And to make it easier for these people, here is the link posted above. It speaks volumes!

Starving for a Fair Diagnosis

[ArmyTeach]

Greer is LEGALLY BLIND

This appears to be true - I've heard it before, several weeks ago. Don't know what the implications could be.

[LegalEagle61]

I am not sure which show I saw this on but someone said Judge Greer is going to face charges when this is over and even prison time...it may have been Pat B. when I was watching Scarborough. In fact I think it was Pat...anyone else watch Joe tonight and see this?

[Awestruck]

excellent link! Useful for the truly uninformed and caring.. for our own Freeper Death Trolls.. doesn't matter..

[ArmyTeach]

Why has the entire history of the proceedings in Terri's case for the past 12 or so years come under scrutiny? What do we have to do to make it happen?!?

[Abby4116]

" could it be that Mr. Shiavo has something to fear that Terri might disclose if she is able to speak again. "



http://www.zimp.org/stuff/nav.htm

[CAluvdubya]

excellent link!

Thanks, credit to Hugh Hewitt. :)

[LisaMalia]

Thanks for posting this thread.

I know how sick I feel, if I go one day without eating much. I can't imagine the pain of starving to death.

May Michael S. rot in hell for his deeds.

My prayers are with Terri's family tonight.

[wrathof59]

my thoughts exactly

[Trinity_Tx]

Here are two other links I highly recommend everyone read to get a really good understanding of and crash course on the situation:


Timeline

More thorough one here.


And, if nothing else, read the The Wolfson Report to Jeb Bush


I so wish (like the Schindlers - they asked for him to be re-appointed) Dr. Wolfson would have remained her permanent Guardian ad litem. We might not be facing this mess at all today if he had.

[WildTurkey]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone would take delight in the cruel and inhumane torture this poor woman has gone through.

True. Lost in all this is the torture she has suffered all these years. Thank goodness she is not aware of it. I hope she has not been in pain.

[singfreedom]

Again, I say, information is only as good as the source (as Mr. Rather learned, much to his chagrin). As far as I can determine, the only sources the court heard, as to Terri"s desire "not to live this way", were her husband and HIS relatives. No other witnesses were heard that I can find--anywhere. There was a former "guardian" who stated that they did not believe this was Terri's wish, but the judge refused to hear their testimony.

To me it is very suspicious that treatment was withheld as soon as the money was awarded. The husband's attorney now states there is no money left in Terri's estate (so its not money motivated!). Hum, I wonder what happened to all her money?!!!

I taught multi-handicapped children for many years. Most of them were similar in condition to Terri, and I NEVER heard anyone suggest doing away with them! If Michael were going to do this, why did he not do it years ago? It doesn't take years to determine "persistent vegetative state". Not to say I agree, I don't. IMHO, Terri doesn't meet any standard for PVS I ever learned, nor does she meet the Florida state standard!

[American Vet Repairman]

"Terri's husband has started another family and probably has gone on with his life."

O.K. ... I get it, the man is a piece of crap and doesn't want his cake anymore. What I need to understand is...why kill her? He could just divorce her and be an oath breaking a$$hole.

[Victor K]

A number of prominent Neurologists who’ve been told the full story of what neurological tests Terri Schiavo has and more importantly has not been given, since her initial medical event, have expressed shock and called the lack of basic care she’s been denied by her “husband” and others, “criminal”.

At least 2 routine, yet critical tests have never been performed on Terri at any time, a MRI and a PET scan, these Neurologists say both of which are necessary for any competent Neurologists to make accurate diagnosis of her condition and prognosis of what therapy, if given, could do for her and her quality of life. From what I’ve heard a Neurologist interviewed say, these 2 tests are far more detailed and necessary to diagnose brain damage and function than the CAT scan, which is far less detailed and less useful for brain injuries and disease.

For those who’ve taken away the basic sustenance all human beings need to live, food and water, to let this woman die of dehydration and starvation, may the truth of their crime find them out. May the One who sees and understands the human heart pierce their hardened consciences for ignoring, hiding from and twisting the truth to take Terri’s life from her and her parents who love her.

[Sola Veritas]

"Greer cannot read ANYTHING due his very poor eyesight, and that he only knows what he hears"

The poor suffering man. Such a poor quality of life to endure. Maybe we should work to have him taken to a "hospice" to be starved. It is for his own good of course!

[Fitzcarraldo]

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