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.

[deannadurbin]

>>And yet the ghouls here slander this poor man

He's not exactly "poor". He's gotten millions off Terri's misfortune.

[Fledermaus]

I bet he's working with OJ to find the "real killers" and thinks Scott Peterson is being persecuted.

Is Florida law so bad they can't investigate this slime ball that probably caused her brain damage?

[CyberAnt]

I have no idea .. I'm just repeating what the doctors said.

[EODGUY]

This is unbelievable.


EODGUY

[yesnettv]

Michael told me he has an inside source that says both OJ and Scott have been illegally persecuted.
By the way his tee time with OJ tomorrow is 10am. Better not tell the course because of the wackos out there.

[anglian]

We even pay to KEEP murderers alive!

[yesnettv]

And we can't give Terri water or exercise.

[trustandobey]

Is that why he said, Is the ***** dead yet? He was struggling with wanting her to live???

[yesnettv]

Oh, yes, he has always wanted her to live.
If you believe that, I have some ocean front property for sale 100 miles into the Pacific. Some year, depending on various factor youu might be able to build there. You could build today if you wanted to build underwater.

[deannadurbin]

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

You got that right! Why didn't he come out with a statement like this to the public BEFORE he got his way and had the feeding/water tube disconnected?

He's from the pit of hell. If the struggle was so hard for him he should have given the money awards to her parents, divorced Terri a long time ago, and given her over to the Schindler's care like they wanted.

BUT MICHAEL FATHERED AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD RATHER THAN DIVORCE TERRI AND MAKE THE WOMAN HE IS NOW LIVING WITH HIS LEGAL WIFE.

Drop dead, Michael. You're not snowballing THIS Freeper!

[GirlyGirl2003]

I've taken care of people a lot worse off the Terri and have helped them enjoy life as much as possible. This woman is alive and not very well, but certainly alive and aware of her surroundingds. Don't kill this person just to free up money, or to ease your mind, or to remove any evidence. Just leave her alone and let her be well taken care of.

[yesnettv]

Tomorrow should be interesting. Perhaps Michael and Felos should get some adult Pampers to be prepared.

[trustandobey]

It is going to be very interesting! Do you have access to the family?

[yesnettv]

yes I do
why?

[deannadurbin]

Wonder if Felos would continue to defend Michael in a MURDER CHARGE?

[bonfire]

Did a family member tell you Terri was responding yes or no to questions? I have never read that info anywhere.

[yesnettv]

Felos is not a criminal defense attorney.
With his ego, he would probably step in.
That would be GREAT.
Michael might even get the death penalty, poor guy.

[trustandobey]

Just wondering how there are holding up. I've been praying so much for them. They truly must be wonderful people. It broke my heart when Glen Beck was saying they did not want people to threaten Michael.

[deannadurbin]

>>Did a family member tell you Terri was responding yes or no to questions?

She did more than that. When the secret phone therapist told her she'd better start moving because they wanted to kill her she tried to get out of her chair.

[trustandobey]

I'm sure its what he would want, in HIS condition.