Husband (Michael Schiavo) in Right-To-Die Case Rips Parents

Yahoo! News ^ | October 27, 2003 | VICKIE CHACHERE

[El Conservador]

TAMPA, Fla. - The husband seeking to end the life of his severely brain-damaged wife said Monday that his in-laws have set out to block his actions because of money and the influence of conservative political causes.

In his first interview since the latest round of legal fighting in the highly publicized case, Michael Schiavo said on CNN's "Larry King Live" that he continues to fight to end his wife's life because her wishes were not to be kept alive artificially.

"This is Terri's wish," he said of the removal of her feeding tube. "And I am going to follow that if this is the last thing I can do for Terri."

Terri Schiavo, 39, has been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990 when a chemical imbalance, brought on by an eating disorder, caused her heart to stop and deprived her brain of oxygen.

Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, believe their daughter could be rehabilitated and dispute the husband's contention that she did not want to be kept alive artificially.

Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed for six days earlier this month before the Florida Legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush enacted a special law to have it reinserted. The move touched off an international debate over the Schiavo case and right-to-die issues.

Terri Schiavo is being treated at a Pinellas Park hospice while her husband's attorney and the American Civil Liberties Union (news - web sites) prepare to challenge to constitutionality of "Terri's Law." The first filings in that legal fight are due Wednesday.

Appearing less than an hour later on Fox News' "On the Record with Greta Van Sustern," the attorney for the Schindlers countered that Michael Schiavo knew his wife never had end-of-life wishes.

"It's hard to know what to believe with him because he says whatever the occasion demands or what is in his financial interests," said the attorney, Pat Anderson.

Michael Schiavo said his relationship with the Schindlers soured after he was awarded a 1993 medical malpractice claim of about $1 million. Schiavo says the settlement was awarded because doctors misdiagnosed Terri Schiavo's health problems.

He said after that, his father-in-law asked him for a share of the money, and he refused to give him any.

"He's always wanted the money," Schiavo said of Bob Schindler. "He wants the money. He wants the control."

Schiavo denied that he has withheld therapy from his wife, saying he once took her to California for an experimental therapy in which a stimulator was implanted in her brain. It didn't work, he said.

"Now, they (his in-laws) are being fed all this information by those right-to-life activists who are feeding their little flame," he said.

He also answered criticism that he has abandoned his wife for a longtime girlfriend with whom he has one child and another on the way. Schiavo said his girlfriend is supportive of his care for Terri Schiavo.

"I'm fortunate to have two women in my life that I love very much," he said. "My girlfriend right now has done more for Terri than her own mother did. She shopped for her. She washed her clothes."

[Mo1]

See my post on #119

[Humidston]

You're soooo good, Mo1! Thanks for that link!

[concerned about politics]

I can't help thinking of my children and grandchildren and the horrors they may face.

I hope yours have blond hair and blue eyes like Hitler wanted. Mine don't.

[Aliska]

MS made it sound like she has had therapy where so many indications point to that it was halted after the financial settlement.

I can't understand how this case got to this point without someone looking into these things more carefully.

[concerned about politics]

GOOD LINK! A MUST READ (All Hospice connections to this case) - "Terri has not been certified as "Terminally ill" as required by federal regulations for the use of federal funds for hospice care, yet has resided at Hopsice Woodside since March or April, 2000."

[Mo1]

Now I apologize for getting a little gross here myself, but is that logical? Would a brain-damaged woman have her legs almost "frozen" together?

My guess is that since she hasn't had any therapy in over 10 years .. I guess her legs are stiff and not very moble

With that said .. most women don't go to their GYN once a week .. normally they have yearly visits.

So what the big deal about that was or even the point of brining it up .. I am not sure

[concerned about politics]

FOX - Hannity and Colms has Terris Dad and lawyer. Terri had no heart attack at all.

[concerned about politics]

PS...(same show)

Only known serious injury is her neck.

[Aliska]

I'm not quite sure what you meant, but some of mine are and some aren't.

[Humidston]

I just got my "Directive to Physicians" out... It's not specific... It just says, "If the application of life-sustaining procedures would serve only to artificially postpone the moment of my death and if my attending physician determines that my death is imminent or will result within a relatively short time without application of life-sustaining procedures, I direct that those procedures be withheld or withdrawn, and that I be permitted to die naturally. However, my physician is hereby authorized to give such medication necessary to provide for my reasonable comfort until death."

Also - If I can't give directions, I'm entitled my legal right to refuse MEDICAL or SURGICAL treatment and accept the consequences from such refusal.

(This is TX)

[concerned about politics]

I'm not quite sure what you meant, but some of mine are and some aren't.

During the National Socialist Regime (NAZIs) , Hitler killed all those without blond hair and blue eyes. They weren't perfect enough (Even though Hiltler had dark hair and eyes).

[Mo1]

Kcvl deserves the credit .. been a busy in the research area

[Aliska]

That's what I thought you were driving at. I'm not to that point of paranoia as concerns this country because we are so diverse. I am concerned about the infirm and disabled that they will want to eliminate them, and these are the warning shots across the bow, so to speak.

[woofie]

attending physician determines that my death is imminent or will result within a relatively short time without application of life-sustaining procedures

I have had a major heart attack and been resuscitated.....I also have signed a living will thinking that death would come quickly if it did not make sense to resuscitate....I better check on what I signed

[Humidston]

You're not alone... I'm calling our lawyer tomorrow!

No Way do I ever want to be starved to death. It's a horrible way to die!

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks for doing far above what we have asked ... that the words from Michael Schiavo would be the very thing that would reveal his true nature. He wishes his wife dead. He said so. He said he will continue this fight to have her die if it's the last thing he could do for Terri. He means it. Father, in earnest plea, continue to keep Terri safe from all harm. Let any plan devised by man fall away from her harmless. Comfort and reassure her family, for they, too, have heard his words this night. Cause them to know that You stand watch over this child .. that thousands of angels are at Your command. Send forth the Holy Spirit to convict these evil men of their evil intent ... may they turn from their sins and claim the redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, while there is yet time.

Heavenly Father, protect this mother's child from the vile things said about her by her husband. He has revealed intimate details to shame her and to debase her. We weep because of this cruelty and this mockery. We weep for Michael's children because they, too, will be shamed. Never again let the caregivers who tend Terri be intimidated by him or mindful to neglect her .. let those who stand guard over her know how precious she is to her family and friends ... may they be careful in their treatment of her, for they know this defenseless woman has caused a great upheaval in the halls of justice.

Stir those agencies charged with the protection of its citizens to act in ways that protect those most vulnerable. May it be so painfully obvious, O God, that Michael does not merit guardianship of his wife ... that he has lost favor before God and man. Remove him and keep him at bay ... silence the attorneys who speak a perverted language that would lead the infirm and the disabled and the feeble minded and the weak into untimely death. The enormity of this ungodly grip is staggering, Lord ... only You can loose the bonds and set Terri, and the people, free.

Refresh your people this night, I pray, for there is much to be done. Prepare the way that we should go ... may the alarms sound within the enemies' camp, and may they scatter. Sweep them away, mighty God, wherever they are found ... from the lowly to the mighty. Bring down Your spirit of conviction, for You are not willing that any should perish, such is Your love.

Hear our prayer, O Lord ~ hear our prayer, O Lord ~ incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace ... Amen ~

[NYer]

If it were YOU or a loved one, what would you do?

As Kathleen Parker writes in her commentary for Jewish World Review ....

"It is also difficult to remain emotionally detached as we ponder the rather pleasing, if mellifluously misleading, "right to die," as the Schiavo case is being defined. Hmmm. Would that be my right to die, or your right to make me die? For practice, pose this question over dinner tonight:

"Honey, if you were in a vegetative state, would you want me or your mother to decide your fate?" Just a guess, but I'll bet most married adults suddenly will see their spouses in a new light and give their moms a quick call just to check in. "

Right To Die Sounds Nice Unless It's Your Turn

TERRI SCHIAVO PING! – let me know if you want on/off this ping list

[fiesti]

Apparently she might have once made a comment about not being on a respirator ---- I wonder if living wills get into detail about heroic measures versus simple non-heroic measures like feeding tubes. It would seem to me a lot of living wills probably cover only the major things like respirators and other machines they might attach you to.


I could be wrong but I thought living wills were only if you were considered terminal in which case Terri is NOT

[Orlando]

Can we get a federal investigation started ?. I pray
we can.

[Ms PACman]

Michael The Maggott told a real fish-story tonight: Said that Terri's folks didn't care and didn't even visit her until they would be getting publicity for themselves by doing so!

I think that certain parts of Michael's brain are missing--like the parts that would help him recall how he has been constantly giving orders for her family to be kept from seeing Terri.

Oh yes! Since parts of his brain are obviously missing, he must be in a coma or a PVS, so let's tie him up, dump him into a mine shaft, and don't give him any food or water!

I'm sure that those are his wishes, since he wouldn't want to live like that!!!