Replies

Dear Gov. Bush,

We are at a sad point. There are good times and hard times; THIS is a hard time. And, YES, I’m angry!

Terri had a chance while she was at the hospital. She could be assessed, followed, and receive any treatment that might be necessary for her survival after an incredible 6 1/2 days without food or water.

However, since Michael was not removed as her guardian, he continued to work to Terri's and the family's detriment as we all saw yesterday. I have no doubt at this point that this will end in Terri’s death (I’d love to be wrong).

Terri was NOT in a coma or pre-vegetative state. It is known and documented that she had abilities beyond what was admitted by her husband/guardian, his lawyers, the courts, the hospice, and others in power. These abilities could never be allowed to come to light. Indeed, they did not until her father released the videotape, at which time the Schindlers lost their rights to see their daughter.

There is more to this story than that a sad little bully has such power over a life, a family, a state, a country -- and this needs to be investigated. Why was there no advocate for Terri herself? Why no one in this whole thing without a conflict of interest, eg, Judge Greer previously on board of Woodside hospice, and on board to oversee guardians? How many more people has this happened to?

I understand and appreciate that you and others did put yourselves on the line for Terri. However, I wish you had acted last week, more directly, as you’d received information from others that you could. I urged you then to act in faith regardless of real or imagined consequences, that we were all praying for you.

It turns out, though, that I can’t remain angry with you -- it would be throwing the first stone. Interestingly, it was also within MY power to do good for Terri, and I did not.

I went to Pinellas Park with the intention of taking Terri a drink. I’d cared for similar patients before, and knew what I wanted and needed to do for her. I'm a mother who felt compelled by that video of Terri brightening up to her own mother.

So when I got to the hospice, I did go up to the first policeman of many and told him I had something for Terri. We had a brief conversation which ended with a long moment of me considering . . . and I walked away.

I know if I had been willing to step out in faith, to be arrested if need be, that things would have turned out differently.

This is a hard day.

Prayers for you and us all as we continue this journey, trying to learn from mistakes, and do what we need to do in the future. I am grateful for a merciful God and Father as I strive to follow Him more closely.

Sincerely yours,

Dear Gov. Bush,

Since I posted that letter, I have talked with Mike Bell at the hospice. We had a polite conversation throughout. At the end I told him we were praying for him and for everyone there to do the right thing since we all knew Terri was NOT in a coma before this whole thing began.

The bottom line of our conversation was in this question and answer:

Q: If there is a need for dialysis to support the patient to sustain their life are they set up provide it for their patients who are NOT terminally ill (which they do have there, he'd said)?

A: Yes, they would be transported elsewhere IF this is what had been requested and agreed upon by the primary care physician AND THE GUARDIAN.

I do not believe Michael & his lawyer have in mind to prolong Terri's life.

If there is to be a new guardian, it must be NOW. I respectfully ask for some sort of intervention.

Terri has a very strong will to live; she can survive up to a certain point, even perhaps still recover after all this neglect of medical care. But there will be a limit to what her body can take. Continued prayers and support to all who are working for good in this hard situation.