Agency to probe alleged spousal abuse of Terri Schiavo

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - (KRT) - A state protection agency for disabled persons on Wednesday was planning to launch an investigation into alleged spousal abuse against Terri Schiavo, the severely brain damaged woman whose feeding tube was reinserted this week after intervention by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush.

The investigation by the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, an agency mandated in states and funded by Congress, could play a decisive role in a revived legal battle over who should be the guardian of the 39-year-old Schiavo - her husband or her parents.

...[snip] The Schindler family has accused Michael Schiavo of abuse and neglect as guardian, and the state protection agency's independent investigation could play a major role in removal of the husband as guardian - as well as shed light on how the husband managed funds during the guardianship.

...[snip]The governor's order of reinsertion of the feeding tube has bought time for the advocacy center to conduct its investigation as to whether Terri Schiavo has been a victim of abuse and neglect over the past 10 years.

Under federal law, the agency is granted strong investigative powers, including examining medical and court-sealed guardian financial records, and its findings of abuse or neglect would be conclusive and pre-emptive of any court or other agency determination, said Patricia Anderson, an attorney for Terri Schiavo's parents. ...[snip]"They are referred to as the `big sharks' in the disability field," Anderson said of the agency. "What we have here is a guardianship system that discriminates against disabled people." ...[snip]For his part, Michael Schiavo said Wednesday through his attorney that he is outraged that the legislative and executive branches would overturn a judge's order that had allowed him to have the feeding tube removed from his wife. ...[snip]Some experts are viewing the case as if it's a foregone conclusion that the courts will overturn the new law, under the assumption that Bush, who is President Bush's brother, and the legislature overruled the courts. But that is not necessarily true, said Andrew Koppelman, a constitutional law expert at Northwestern University.

"I don't understand what separation of powers has to do with it," he said. "Some law is going to govern how people behave toward (Terri) tomorrow. The legislature has to have power to legislate today about what we do tomorrow, and that power is not taken away by the fact that the judiciary said something else yesterday."

From FoxNews Channel Oct 14,2003 Hannity and Colmes program:

Sean Hannity: Is this about money?

Bob Schindler: It was I believe, a combination of two things, MONEY and FOUL PLAY. Because Terri collapsed, and to this day we still do not know why... Her medical records were sealed by her husband for over ten years. But we did discover that she had a neck injury... She did not have a heart attack, a doctor testified.

Sean: Do you think he harmed your daughter?

Schindler: Quite likely, Yes... And I think by not allowing her therapy, she had never had an opportunity to recover, and consequently she could not speak... And there are therapists on record saying that if Terri were given this therapy, she could not only speak, she could eat.

SHALOM!

Your Post # 3!!!

Now that is really SOMETHING...OY VEY!

I am PRAYING that The WHOLE TRUTH comes out and this Demonic Creep GOES to JAIL for NEGLECT and ABUSE.

If Mr. Schiavo and his Lawyers think that Florida justice is something?

Wait until they have to stand before THE Throne of JESUS CHRIST and give an Account for ALL their individual nasty behaviors, deeds, thoughts and intentions!

Continued PRAYERS for Precious TERRI, and also for her Mom and Dad, Family and Friends.

I saw TERRI'S Dad and Brother on Geraldo's: At Large on FNC Sunday evening and it looks to me that TERRI'S brother Bobby is ready, willing and very able to take Up the cause to FIGHT for TERRI'S RIGHT TO LIFE.

PRAISE GOD for this Strong - Beautiful Family, and HIS continued BLESSINGS and Right Hand be upon them.

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that an agency such as this is examining the care that has been given, or not been given, to this mother's child. Comfort the hearts of this family, O God, for they have had to stand by for 13 years because they have been declared outside the legal bounds of ones to care for their own child. Vindicate their torturous vigil, for they have suffered much, even while they knew their beloved child suffered more.

Father, may those in authority be bold and insistent ~ let no record or scrap of information be outside their scope. Open up to concerned eyes all the facts .. may they act swiftly on conclusions. You already know the outcome, O God .. may it be that Michael would be swept away from the scene .. that he not have charge over Terri or her care .. that he be prevented from inflicting any harm to her ever again.

There's been no word today on Terri's condition, merciful Father, but You know how she is. We pray that she rests well under Your watchful eye. Let her not toss or fret, but may she have the sense of her family's presence, even if they are not there. May she feel the love and prayers of those who labor on her behalf, even though she might not see them. May the hands of her caregivers give some measure of love and comfort .. may they be reminded that even through Terri's closed door, the world is watching. Give them a sense of mercy and compassion, and justice.

Creator God, the air has been filled today with words from attorneys and those with vested interest .. give the people eyes to see and ears to hear above the beguiling speech. Quicken the hearts of interviewers and give them a thirst for truth, and may they seek it through those who speak the truth. Embolden Terri's family to speak before the world in clarity and compassion. Confound and confuse the words of the enemy .. loose their tongues with useless and careless and incriminating words, for there is no other way to see this as but an attempted murder on a defenseless woman.

Strenthen Terri this night and through the coming days, Lord .. may she thrive while her enemy falls back. Be her Advocate in the courtroom .. pierce the hearts of those in judicial authority .. remind them that You have charged them to do justly for the people and may they be quick to change their ways, lest they fall into condemnation. Bring to Terri's side one who will act in her interests .. turn back any who would be fraudulent in their task. Stir up the people to rally to her side as we are witness to the forces of hell aligned against this mother's child.

Father, thank You for continuing to hold Terri in Your care .. may it be soon, Lord, that her family will be able to tend her as You would have any family do for their precious child .. fill the arms of her dad with his delightful daughter, that they worry no more about what evil men would do to her.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for those who have labored long and hard for Terri .. strengthen them and encourage them in the days ahead .. give them strength not of this world but from the hand of God, Himself. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

You wrote: " She isn't brain dead, she is more like brain damaged, and now like a severely retarded person. I have four retarded cousins and I love them just as much as I love the rest of my relatives. Terry is not brain dead. She does respond. Her husband is just plain evil."

Thank you, your post really puts a clear picture on how so many people are looking at people who have brain damage, or retardation. It seems in our world of America today, too many heartless people want to eliminate those who are not living the same life style as they are, and if brain damage and retardation are viewed as somehow lacking a "quality of life" which they themselves percieve themselves as enjoying, then those other individuals should quietly put themselves out of the misery of the elite, by dying. The whole thing is so offensive, there are not enough words to describe it.

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