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.

[Howlin]

Why are you pinging me to this?

[Optimus Prime]

Anyone got a link to that video I heard about with her moving around and speaking?

[trussell]

The judge gets the satisfaction of going down in history as the one who created a culture of death.

Michael Schiavo gets the life insurance policy who has taken out on Terri.

Felos gets proceeds from book sales of the book he will write about this case!

[gardencatz]

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.

If the settlement money was specifically targeted for future MEDICAL expenses and the judge has approved OTHER uses for it (ie lawyer's fees), while there are tests, procedures and basic care that obviously haven't been done, especially since Terri has no independent representation and there is proof that Greer has done this same thing before, couldn't a case be made to have him removed as judge on the case? It's obvious, even to a layman that he's selectively ignored evidence, including from Terri's court appointed guardian (not to mention doctors who are more qualified and spent more time with her) that wouldn't produce a particular outcome. If past cases and prejudices of the doctors Greer did choose to consider could be brought for consideration it's pretty obvious what's going on.

With the money almost gone, the rest most likely eaten up by lawyers fees, if I was wife-to-be #2, I'd start watching my back.

Cindie

[HardStarboard]

>>>Dead men tell no tales.<<<

Dead women tell no tales on evil husbands.....

[supercat]

This statement really caught my attention, could it be that Mr. Shiavo has something to fear that Terri might disclose if she is able to speak again.

It's clear Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer
Are fighting with all their might
Not because Terri won't speak up,
But rather because she might.

From A Bird in a Barren Cage

Visit the link and you can see/hear the whole song in text, sheet-music, and audio formats.

[hope]

Not just the trolls, RD. It's also some of our own.

[billybudd]

Why can't Terri just divorce?

She also can't communicate in any way.

[GopherIt]

Do you have a date on when the Hemlock Society entered the scene??

[Graymatter]

She cannot be divorced from him without his permission, yet his taking a mistress and begetting children by her, is clearly grounds for divorce. That in itself is a severe violence done to the marriage. But add to it, his misuse of her medical award money, obtained to help keep her alive and used to win her death. Then tell me she doesn't need a lawyer and guardian to look after her interests.

It's no wonder most sensible people think he put her in that condition. The monstrous abuse he's committed since then, plainly demonstrates his capability.

[LegalEagle61]

Why isn't this stuff about michael possibly doing harm to Terri that night being investigated??????????????????? He cannot get away with this, we must all pray to God that no matter what happens, Michael is exposed for the evil person he is and that his attempt to kill his wife is brought out to public attention. There is no way that his saying he is doing this because he made a promise to Terri holds water, afterall he didn't even honor his marriage vows!

[supercat]

couldn't a case be made to have him removed as judge on the case?

One could, except for one teensy weensy problem. Guess who gets to decide that case?

[bewitched]

I just about fell out of my chair when I heard on the news that Judge Greer has been distraught and had to get bodyguards because he has been scared for his life. Really? We know somebody else in the same position.

[Windsong]

You might want to refrain from calling Freepers "trolls" who have been here for 5 years or longer who simply disagree with you. Keep at it, and one would be well accurate to infer that you are the same (i.e. trollish behavior)!

[DerZornGottes]

Perhaps he might not be so eager to see her dead, if an autopsy were required!

[PhilDragoo]

Help Save Terri Schiavo

[Wampus SC]

Good info. Thanks.

The "trolls" are beyond trolls now. Some are shills, most are baiters. Overall they're more like demons.

Don't let them exploit the myth that long-timers can't be trolls. Trollish behavior makes one a troll, nothing else.

[Nevski]

http://www.newpantagruel.com/issues/2.1/editorial_statement_on_terri_s.php