Statement by Michael Schiavo

TBO.com News ^ | October 20, 2003 | Michael Schiavo

[Auntie Mame]

Last Wednesday, my wife's feeding tube was removed. For over 6 years, I have struggled with the Schindlers in court. On Wednesday, I joined them in grief. I understand what the Schindlers are going through at this time. I feel the same loss.

For years after this happened to Terri, I tried desperately to find a cure for her. I went from one doctor to another. Almost all of them told me there was no possibility she would recover. Any doctor that gave me a glimmer of hope that some new treatment or therapy would work was given free reign with Terri. I would do anything to make her well.

I took Terri to California. I stayed with her while doctors performed an experimental procedure to implant electrodes in her brain to stimulate its function. I spent months working with her - hopeful of a cure. Months later, the doctors told me the electrodes were not working.

I took Terri to Mediplex, in Bradenton, Florida, which is a residential rehabilitation facility that specializes in brain injuries. She spent months there in intensive physical, speech, and occupational therapy and testing.

Finally, the doctors and therapist told me and the Schindlers they could do nothing more for her. I hired a private duty aide 8 hours a day to take Terri on outings to parks and museums trying to stimulate her - looking for any sign of life, any flicker of hope. There was none - ever.

Over the years, I had three swallowing tests performed on Terri in the hope that some of the therapies would allow her to be weaned off the feeding tube. The test all showed no change, and I was advised she could not swallow food. Even now, the nursing home staff says that sometimes Terri gags and chokes on the moisture from the swabs they use to moisten her lips.

The reports you heard from nursing home aides that Terri was responsive years ago are not true. I would give anything if they were. Those aides cared for Terri during the time that I was desperately seeking a cure for her. I was so frustrated that I could not help Terri. I am sure that I was sometimes unkind to the aides - even shouted at them. This was not because I wanted Terri dead, but because I desperately wanted her alive. I blamed myself because I could not bring her back.

It seemed to me, during that time, that the aides never did enough for Terri. Some days they did not put her makeup on. I would storm into the nursing home insisting that they do so. I knew Terri always wanted to look her best. Sometimes, the aides did not get her dressed and sitting up until late in the morning. They did not always get her hair combed. They sometimes failed to give her vitamins and medications on time. At each of those failures, I became enraged and lashed out. I felt so helpless. Each small infraction reminded me how powerless I was to really help Terri. I admit that I yelled at the aides and I am now deeply sorry for that behavior. Much like the Schindlers now, I stubbornly resisted and suggestion that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state and would never get better.

I never wanted Terri to die. I still don't. After more than seven years of desperately searching for a cure for Terri, the death of my own mother helped me realize that I was fooling myself. More important, I was hiding behind my hope, and selfishly ignoring Terri's wishes. I wanted my wife to be with me so much that I denied her true condition.

Terri told me on several occasions before this happened that she would not want to live in her current condition. If we had been older, I am sure she would have signed a living will making it clear that she did not to be kept alive on tubes and machines. She never had the chance.

That left me to carry out her wishes. It has been hard. In fact, it is the hardest thing I have ever done. In the end, I did what I believe Terri would have wanted me to do.

Some people do not agree with the decisions the court made to remove Terri's feeding tube. I struggle to accept it myself. But I know in my heart that it is right, and it is what Terri wants. There is no longer any realistic hope of Terri's recovery. Perhaps there never was, but I had to try - just as the Schindlers have tried. The reality is that Terri left us 13 years ago, and none of us can bring her back.

Terri's parents and family may visit with her as much as they choose in the days to come. I, and my friends and relatives, will be there as well to spend time with Terri, as we all grieve. Please pray for us all.

[Hugin]

Some people do not agree with the decisions the court made to remove Terri's feeding tube. I struggle to accept it myself.

I love the way he pawns off on the court a decision he requested. Not even man enough to own it.

[RLK]

Statement by Michael Schiavo ...

-------------------

Statement by RLK:

Dear Mr. Schiavo, somehow I don't believe you.

[Annie03]

I wonder who wrote this for him? I'm not sure if I want to laugh or get sick.

[nicksaunt]

I heard Terry's dad in a radio interview saying that Michael Schiavo has been fearful of any kind of rehabilitation because of fear of exposure to the real cause of her incapacitation.

The more I hear and read about this guy, the more he reminds me of a killer/pyscho from an Ann Rule true crime book. He's a real creep.

[Bogey78O]

Ok, so he gave up on her 6 years ago? A year after he moved in with another woman. Good thing Terri didn't come back in that one year time span.

[pollywog]

Of course he did. I think they are running scared now.

That is my take on it!! He is trying to cover his bases....won't work.

[nicksaunt]

Terry's should be Terri's

[bonfire]

Yep. He's trying to look like the good husband now. How's he gonna explain the new wife and kids? Wonder how he'll spin THAT??

[texasbluebell]

I wonder who wrote this for him? I'm not sure if I want to laugh or get sick.

Get sick, for me.

[EGPWS]

I never wanted Terri to die. I still don't.

Mmm, this statement reaks of discrepency.

[wizardoz]

Here's his real statement:

I quit loving her long ago. I love someone else now. She's in the way. She's on my nerves. She's gotta go.

[SerpentDove]

BULL BUTTER!

I don't think this demoniac quite expected the outrage and backlash he is experiencing right now.

Seems he's feeling the heat.

I hope is is absolutely terrified for his life, night and day, for the rest of his life.

[Auntie Mame]

I don't think this demoniac quite expected the outrage and backlash he is experiencing right now.

I think you're right.

[Rosjeka]

Incredible!..........the timeline I have shows that Michael Schiavo requested in August 1993 that an infection go untreated. She hasn't had her teeth cleaned in 10 years.......

That sure doesn't sound like a man who tried for seven years to do whatever he could for her. Sounds like a guy who tried as long as it took to get an award payout!!!

Jerk!

[SwordofTruth]

I took Terri to California. I stayed with her while doctors performed an experimental procedure to implant electrodes in her brain to stimulate its function. I spent months working with her - hopeful of a cure. Months later, the doctors told me the electrodes were not working.

I wonder if those electrodes are still in her brain.

Knowing this guy, I have to feel they were never meant to help her, but rather control her.

[skr]

Somehow it doesn't compute with his previous question of when the (*****) was going to die.

[LPM1888]

You know, if I'm ever in Terri's position I hope they remove the tube.

I feel the same way! Prolonging her agony is cruel.

[RedRidingHood]

Dear Michael, You are a hypocrite! It was you who asked that Terri's feeding tube be removed, not the courts. a rolled up washcloth in her hand was denied, because that was considered a form of therapy.

Terri was denied flowers, cards and pictures in her room. She was not allowed to leave her room because you would not allow her wheelchair to be fixed. This is a loving, grieving husband?

She was made to endure the visits by you and your "girlfriend'. That in itself is mental cruelty of the utmost. You say you won't divorce her because you are Catholic, but you are living in sin with another woman and making a mockery of your marriage with Terri. It's called adultery and real Catholics don't do it.

You are a sorry excuse for a human being! As for your future mother-in-law, I can not imagine (outside nazi germany) any woman sitting and watching another person dehydrating and starving to death. I know there is pure evil in the world but this is the first time I have seen it this close. Someone with absolutely no conscience and no compassion. It takes some kind of person to do what she is doing and I am glad I don't know anyone like her! You have and are not fooling anyone. From all the nurses notes that were destroyed to the allegged insulin injections.

No one believes you are grieving. You could have walked away with your new family at any time. Terri's family loves her and wants to take care of her. You and only you are stopping that! I know you will be able to live with yourself because true evil has no conscience. RedRidingHood

[yesnettv]

How the heck could you call him "Mr."?

[AntiGuv]

Interesting. This starkly conflicts with the description from the Schindlers, and might even be somewhat believable were Schiavo not shacked up with another woman during most of this period he supposedly yearned for his wife's return...