Is Terri Schiavo Dead? Eat, drink, and vegetate

Reason ^ | 10-23-03 | Ronald Bailey

[ambrose]

October 23, 2003

Is Terri Schiavo Dead?

Eat, drink, and vegetate

Ronald Bailey

Terri Schiavo has been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990. Her husband wants to withdraw the nutrition and hydration her body has been receiving and allow her body to die. Her mother, father, and sister—and now Florida Governor Jeb Bush—want to continue supplying her body with food and water until... what? She wakes up? Dies of pneumonia?

What is a persistent vegetative state? According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke people in PVS "have lost their thinking abilities and awareness of their surroundings, but retain non-cognitive function and normal sleep patterns. Even though those in a persistent vegetative state lose their higher brain functions, other key functions such as breathing and circulation remain relatively intact. Spontaneous movements may occur, and the eyes may open in response to external stimuli. They may even occasionally grimace, cry, or laugh. Although individuals in a persistent vegetative state may appear somewhat normal, they do not speak and they are unable to respond to commands." People suffering from PVS can generally be distinguished from afflicted but cognitively intact patients who suffer from "locked-in syndrome" by the fact that "locked in" patients can track visual stimuli and use eye blinks for communication.

According to most neurological experts, Terri Schiavo is definitely PVS—her eyes do not really track visual stimuli and she cannot communicate using eye blinks. However, Terri Schiavo's parents have posted several short ambiguous video clips online which are meant to show that Ms. Schiavo responds to stimuli. But what they show seems to fit an AMA's report of how PVS patients can respond to environmental cues without being aware. Specifically, the report notes, "Despite an 'alert demeanor', observation and examination repeatedly fail to demonstrate coherent speech, comprehension of the words of examiners or attendants, or any capacity to initiate or make consistently purposeful movements. Movements are largely confined to reflex withdrawals or posturing in response to noxious or other external stimuli. Since neither visual nor auditory signals require cortical integrity to stimulate brief orienting reflexes, some vegetative patients may turn the head or dart the eyes toward a noise or moving objects. However, PVS patients neither fixate upon nor consistently follow moving objects with the eyes, nor do they show other than startle responses to loud stimuli. They blink when air movements stimulate the cornea but not in the presence of visual threats per se."

Ms. Schiavo has been in this state for 13 years. What are her chances of recovering at least some awareness? Minnesota neurologist Ronald Cranford told the Washington Post, "There has never been a documented case of someone recovering after having been in a persistent vegetative state for more than 3 months. However, the journal Brain Injury reported the case, of a 26-year-old woman who, after being diagnosed as suffering from a persistent vegetative state for six months, recovered consciousness and, though severely disabled, is largely cognitively intact. However, it is generally agreed that if a patient doesn't become responsive before six months, his or her prognosis is extremely poor. A report on PVS by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council finds that "patients in a state of post-coma unresponsiveness may emerge from it to become responsive," that "the probability of emergence becomes progressively less over time," and that "there is general agreement that emergence is less likely in older people, and in the victims of hypoxic brain damage." Terri Schiavo is the way she is because oxygen was cut off to her brain for 14 minutes; in other words, she suffered severe hypoxic brain damage.

So is Terri Schiavo still alive? The odds are way against it. It's time that her long-suffering parents and the grandstanding politicians let her go in peace.

[AnimalLover]

Has anyone read the following article in World Net Daily?

Media 'getting it wrong'on Terri Schiavo story

http://www.wnd.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35270

[huck von finn]

I hope that you are right, but I am afraid that we will find out in time if you are right. Ideally, we won't find out if an autopsy can be avoided here, for we pray that Terri can yet prevail.

Yes, but we all sail on eventually, even Terri. An autopsy will be mandatory eventually.

Still, I would be unsurprised if the FL Supremes strike down the law next week, and we could see further feeding tube withdrawal by Thanksgiving. Maybe Jodi's mother can skip preparing the thanksgiving meal to supervise everything at the hospice again. What a macabre case, and it's all the fault of corruption in the FL judiciary!

All of this remains to be seen.

[Theodore R.]

Schindlers, the source of all his present poverty.

My understanding is that Schiavo is far from poverty. He has a large home, swimming pool, Mercedes, as has been reported here many times. He says he "works for a living," but he seems to have a lot of "free time" lately, doesn't he?

[huck von finn]

Uh huh. In Texas (don't know about Florida) nurses pronounce residents that pass on.

Thanks for clarifying.

[huck von finn]

Could it be that Schiavo thought cremation would negate the possibility of an autopsy?

It's far more likely that Terri's siblings thought so, erroneously (if they have even been quoted correctly).

[AnimalLover]

SHADES OF MICHAEL SCHIAVO!!

Teacher gets minimum sentence for stealing from quadriplegic kid

October 24, 2003

BY STEVE WARMBIR

Federal Courts Reporter

A seventh-grade science teacher from Phoenix was sentenced Thursday to 18 months behind bars, the minimum, for ripping off the trust fund of a Chicago area quadriplegic boy for nearly $120,000.

David J. Katz, 38, and a partner were providing therapeutic massage for the boy when they worked for a company called the Bod Squad about 10 years ago. The boy had cerebral palsy and couldn't tell his parents that his trust fund was being overbilled.

Prosecutors said Katz told the boy's parents he used the money he swiped to pay for his education, so it went to a worthy cause. Katz's attorney disputes this. U.S. District Judge Joan B. Gottschall noted the seriousness of Katz's crime but sentenced him to the minimum amount of time within the guidelines, noting that Katz had done positive things with his life since his crime in 1994.

Katz's attorney, John Murphy, said his client has attended medical school, receiving a degree in podiatry, and now has a young son. Murphy also questioned the fairness of imposing a prison sentence on Katz given that he committed his crime nearly a decade ago.

Katz apologized in court for what he did and was ordered to repay the $120,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manish Shah blasted Katz in asking for the maximum sentence of two years in prison. "It takes a special kind of moral depravity to take advantage of the helpless," Shah said. The boy's parents "have done everything to nurture their child, including opening their hearts to the defendant, and he betrayed them," the prosecutor said.

[Theodore R.]

I just do not think that FL will necessarily require an autopsy when Terri finally dies. Lots of people die in nursing homes, and no autopsies are conducted. If one is starved to death, why do an autopsy? Why conduct an autopsy on Terri if there is "no evidence" of foul play from the 1990 collapse, as Attorney General Crist supposedly said.

[CindyDawg]

Still, I would be unsurprised if the FL Supremes strike down the law next week, and we could see further feeding tube withdrawal by Thanksgiving

If you aren't a believer then just ignore this post,ok?.

For us that are, I believe that this will only happen if it is Gods will. We have to continue praying and fighting for her until Terri granted life by the courts or He decides to call her home. I know that it's been a roller coaster ride (and may get worse) but we just need to keep the faith and stay on course. Ok, enough preaching :') Back to the trenches.

[Theodore R.]

I am afraid, Cindy, that many who worked so hard to save Terri a week ago think that the fight is now over and that the liberals wouldn't "dare" starve and dehydrate her again after all that was brought out. Those who feel this way do not understand the corruption of the FL judiciary.

[Diddley]

I would like to add another view to this issue.

I am familiar with a baby born one month early (during which her mother died), and the baby’s brain was deprived of oxygen (HIE), resulting in severe brain damage.
The doctors told the baby’s father that “there is no brain activity”. They further hinted that the baby’s IV (food and water) should be pulled. This was never considered by the father or the family. Whatever chance that baby had, she was going to get that chance.

The baby is now 2 and half years old. She can not sit up, crawl, see, use her arms or hands (she can move her legs reciprocally - "running"). She cannot speak. The father has put his career on hold, and has dedicated virtually 100% of his time and effort to caring for the baby (he gets breaks by his mother and other family members).

The rest of her body seems to be perfect, and her basic relexes and autonomous system seem to be OK (breathing, circulation, eating, etc). However, she still eats from a bottle plus some baby food. Apparently, the baby can hear perfectly. She acknowledges a few words. She communicates by degrees of laughter. Her laughter (it is silent) ranges from humor – happiness – joy – glee –ecstasy.
Because of the fathers’ intense “therapy” and the use of several therapists, and the help of family members, the baby IS learning.

She responds to a few words. Her main form of communication is through the degree of her laugh. Although she is very joyful, and she laughs most of the time, her laugh is silent. Her father can get her to make a few word-sounds. Through the efforts of him (mainly) and therapists (some), she is learning to laugh out loud.

Although she cannot sit up (she has no sense of balance), when she is held in a sitting position, she now can hold her trunk rigid and her head up for more than a minute at a time. She loves music and she has favorite songs.
She is very slowly learning a few other simple things.

She gives all who know or meet her much joy. And she shows pride when she learns or repeats a new skill (such as “sitting”). Her value (besides being a person) is the joy she spreads and the skills that she pridefully accomplishes. She contributes and knowingly accomplishes – two things that make her life “worthwhile”.

Just think what she’ll be able to do after 13 years of therapy and love!

These reasons and other reasons are why we did not kill my granddaughter.

[CindyDawg]

We are just resting (working but resting right now). I think that the outcry will be so loud this time (and yes I know it's coming)that the last outrage will not even be comparable.

[huck von finn]

I just do not think that FL will necessarily require an autopsy when Terri finally dies. Lots of people die in nursing homes, and no autopsies are conducted. If one is starved to death, why do an autopsy? Why conduct an autopsy on Terri if there is "no evidence" of foul play from the 1990 collapse, as Attorney General Crist supposedly said.

Whether there is or is not will not ultimately determine the criteria for which an autopsy is conducted. Foul play or no, there is very much interest in this case from medical and ethical viewpoints. Someone posted the Florida law regarding autopsies; you can bet that there will be one. If there is evidence of foul play, that will be extra ammunition in favor of an autopsy. As it stands now, there will be one regardless.

[Saundra Duffy]

The devil played a major role in writing the above article.

[huck von finn]

Ambrose Bierce would know that. He wrote the Devil's Dictionary.

Here's another devle:

[CindyDawg]

God has put one of his special little ones in the arms of a very special daddy and family :') Let us know as (you didn't tell us her name) she progresses, ok?

[Diddley]

Thank you for your thoughts.

Let us know as (you didn't tell us her name) she progresses, ok?

Indeed I will, but I would like to keep her identity private for the time being. I'll just call her "S".

Thank you.

[ambrose]

The devil played a major role in writing the above article.

[TheAngryClam]

[Ohioan from Florida]

My father passed away in February. We are a devout Catholic family. Although we did not have him cremated, we did ask about it. It is allowed by the Catholic Church, and the only stipulation is that the ashes not be scattered.

[HiTech RedNeck]

In that kind of pain there would be physiological signs.