Flurry of activity to help save Terri

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | October 20, 2003 | WND

[joesnuffy]

STARVATION DAY 6 Flurry of activity to help save Terri Disabilities group seeks abuse probe, lawmakers consider bill but don't act

Posted: October 20, 2003 5:00 p.m. Eastern

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

Supporters of Robert and Mary Schindler's efforts to keep their daughter Terri Schindler-Schiavo alive are maintaining a frantic pace six days after the brain-disabled woman's feeding tube was removed by a judge's order.

The Tallahasse-based Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities has filed for an injunction to keep her alive in order to have time to investigate whether removal of her life-sustaining feeding tube was an act of abuse by her husband, Michael Schiavo, the Associated Press reported.

Schiavo -- who lives with another woman with whom he has a child and another on the way -- cut off all access to Terri's therapy and claims he only is fulfilling wishes expressed before she suffered a sudden collapse in 1990 under mysterious circumstances.

The Schindlers, who maintain a website on their daughter's case, say they have evidence Terri was physically attacked.

U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday announced he will issue a decision on the Tallahassee group's request by the end of the day.

Gordon Scott, an attorney for the advocacy group, asked for a 10-day injunction to provide time for an investigation after he had conversations with the Schindlers and a neurologist. Scott said he is not convinced Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" as claimed by Michael Schiavo and his advocates.

Pinellas County Circuit Judge George W. Greer agreed to that assessment, however, and ordered the feeding tube removed Oct. 15.

Scott also believes, contrary to Michael Schiavo's claims, Terri is feeling pain from the starvation and dehydration.

George Felos, Michael Schiavo's attorney, contended Merryday has no jurisdiction in the case.

The Schindler family said Terri appears to be in stable condition at the Pinellas Park, Fla., hospice where she resides.

"She seems to be alert,'' said her brother, Bob Schindler Jr., according to the Associated Press. "But every day that goes by, we're getting into a crucial time for her. She's got an incredible will to live."

Florida House of Representatives Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, said lawmakers were trying to put together a moratorium "on the removal of nutrition and hydration from those who do not have a written directive and where there's a contest among the family about how to deal with this."

However, no action was taken by the end of today's session.

Previous stories:

Will 'Terri's Bill' save her life now?

Terri Schiavo denied Last Rites

Jeb Bush 'fails' Terri

Abuse report filed for Terri Schiavo

Desperate parents plead to Jeb Bush

Lawyers: Bush can step in for Terri

Starvation begins for Terri Schiavo

Husband protests video showing alert Terri

Terri Schiavo wants to live

No intervention for Schiavo

Joni Eareckson Tada joins vigil for Terri Schiavo

[MarMema]

I know it was!

[agrace]

I don't know, it's infuriating. I told my 6 year old daughter to tell me if my computer starts talking (as I run around and pick up, get kids ready for bed) and so far, nothing.

Pretty ironic, if dinner is what is keeping them. Take your time, guys, have a coffee, dessert maybe, it's not like every minute counts or anything.

[MarMema]

I wonder if they are not going to let it be on video tonight, but this link made me think otherwise.

[MarMema]

THE HOUSE IS IN!!!

[agrace]

Good, glad they clarified.

So here we wait. And even if they pass legislation in lightning speed, is Jeb waiting by the phone? How do they get the new law enforced in time?

Just thinking out loud.

Wait, a new tone to my monotone coming over the live feed. And away they go. They've finally arrived. Good thing they hurried.

[trussell]

His story:

He is too devout a Catholic to go against his wedding vows and divorce her.

He obviously isn't too devout to have 2 children out of wedlock.

[supercat]

You can't call her a fiance while he's still married to Terri.

Why not? HE DOES. I haven't read every single piece on this but does anyone have his answer as to why he didn't do this? Aside from any obvious monetary aspects involved?

Two reasons come to mind:

• If he loses control of Terri's guardianship, the new guardian would be duty-bound to demand an audit of Terri's trust fund.
• If Terri recovers at all from therapy, his guardian would have grounds for a very large lawsuit for Michael's refusal to let her receive any.

Reason #1, btw, could also be something Judge Greer was willing to kill for.

[MarMema]

a new and immediate need, and whereas a loud public outcry...
WHOO_HOOO!!!

[ShadowDancer]

It's not money either because her parents have repeatedly offered to give him all of it.

I'm not buying that. Even he is not so dumb as to not realize how heinous that would look even to the completely apolitical and amoral crowd.

[MarMema]

"....what a special gift each day of life is, Father ( they are praying), with fear and trembling we enter into delicate areas of family, personal freedom, and life.

We seek humbly Your guidance."

Amen!

[agrace]

Thank you so much for the commentary, my COMPUTER FROZE UP just as they read the opening statement, just got the live feed back. ARG!!!

[Catspaw]

Here comes the speechifying.

[MarMema]

Lost the rest of the prayer....

Reading the bill again, which rep is this?

[MarMema]

four conditions must be present.....missed them...

[Catspaw]

It's a bill for a 15 day stay, not a permanent stay.

[MarMema]

authority is only for 15 days, can be later revoked, all by jeb, person may not be held liable for taking actions to comply with stay.

[MarMema]

Are you watching too?

[agrace]

Ironically, I am having a hard time trusting God right at this very moment, that Terri will hang on til they get this business done. I so very much don't want it to be too late for Terri.

WOW, "the gov staff has reviewed it much of the day and believe it to be constitutional." Jeb pulled it off after all.

[Catspaw]

Listening....inbetween telling the dog to shut up.

[MarMema]

Rep Tyler looks to be an enemy, get names!