Fight over woman's feeding tube leaves husband's life in limbo (Terri Schiavo)

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | Nov. 1, 2003 | Abby Goodnough , NYT

[FITZ]

Plus --- if Terri had ever expressed her wish to die to anyone else but him. Actually I think it's pretty emotional to just KNOW that he remembers exactly what she said she wanted 15 years late and not to question one man's memory or supposed memory of what someone might have said --- or might not have said since there is no evidence in writing of it.

[MHGinTN]

Things like this that are said years later are truly not reliable.Hildy Things? You mean like things such as 'while watching Love Story years ago, my wife said she would never want to be kept alive on machines?' That what things you mean are not reliable? You ghouls of 'mercy killing' are so arbitrary with your pleas.

[firerosemom]

Actually they have two children now - new baby just born.

[Hildy]

Who has paid her bills over the past 10 years (I'm taking out the past three years in the hospice)

[MHGinTN]

NIce try, again, dissembler. If you subtract the three years prior to the lawsuit settlement, that leaves seven (at best). And it will shock you to learn that much of the three years of expenses was born by the Schindlers and health insurance from prudential where Terri worked, and they continued to pay during the years following the settlement. But those facts aren't convenient to your agenda to dehumanize Terri Schindler Schiavo, eh?

[FITZ]

I know I've made comments like I'd hate to spend my life in a wheelchair --- and I'm sure someone might even remember me saying that--- that doesn't mean I want to be killed if I actually did end up in a wheelchair. Just now I can't imagine living that way --- but that would likely change if it became reality.

[Bogey]

Just out of curiosity, isn't Michael stating something that Teri said on the couch watching t.v. called "hearsay".
I didn't think a conversation not witnessed by anyone was admissable as evidence.
With good reason.

[eskimo]

If he doesn't like limbo, all he has to do is divorce her.

Exactly. He just has to admit the he is a weak charactered slug and wants to break his vows instead of working to kill her.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Last week when Larry King asked Schiavo why he thought Terri's parents were blocking his efforts to end Terri's life, he smirked and replied, "To make my life hell."

Would that were true.

[FITZ]

Did Michael ever spend a dime of his own money (not even counting the $300,000 he got for himself out of her lawsuit? Was the $700,000 for her care actually spent only on her ---- considering she never got rehab and isn't hooked up to expensive machines, she only needed some very basic nursing care --- maybe 2 or 3 hours a day.

[FITZ]

and wants to break his vows

He already broke his vows. Adultery is justification for divorce in almost every religion ---- the breaking of his marriage vows should free Terri from any claim to ownership over her life he might have had.

[TaxRelief]

He is a nurse who works the graveyard shift

.Hmm..Less supervision on that shift. I wonder if the times of deaths at his hospital follow any recognizable pattern. (Not implying anything, it's just a thought.)

[MHGinTN]

Yes, FITZ, it does change, I can assure you of that! I once played tennis on teams and was a scratch golfer hoping to try out for the senior tour when I turned fifty. But before I made fifty, I became disabled, to the extent that I cannot play tennis and can no longer even travel the golf course in a cart and play nine holes. I use the electric chiars in Wal-Mart and Lowe's, and I must walk with a cane even in my own house, to catch myself from falling. Fifteen years ago, I might have said (and may have, though I don't recall it) that if I end up in a wheelchair, just pass me my trusty .45 and a single round, I'll take care of the rest. Now, with a beautiful gift from God born into our home from my lovely step daughter, and the writing I undertake, the love of family and the return of same, I'd forego the earlier foolish comments and continue to struggle onward.

[EGPWS]

If he doesn't like limbo, all he has to do is divorce her.

Somehow me thinks there may be favorable finances involved that prevents him from divorcing.

Just speculation.

[eskimo]

He already broke his vows. Adultery is justification for divorce in almost every religion ----

You are correct but Terri can't speak for herself.

[firerosemom]

How about we apply your analysis to Terri's supposed comment to HINO, after seeing a 'tearjerker' movie about someone on lifesupport, "I wouldn't want to live that way"... (see boldface for modifications)

'Things like this that are said years later are truly not reliable. You can look at it another way: They were just married, living in HER parents condo. Maybe he was anxious to save money so they could be independent, a trait most freepers would admire. Plus, sometimes women's (haircuts) rehab does cost alot more money than husbands could ever imagine. When I first told my husband how much my (salon bill)feeding tube and range-of-motion therapy was he FLIPPED! Anyway, being cheap and being a murderer are two different things.'

[EGPWS]

For this, Schiavo, 40, has been depicted as a heartless fiend.

Well, if the ped's are size 9, and the shoe is size 9...

[Hildy]

I don't see how you can compare your situation with Ms. Schiavo's. That's just bizarre.

[TaxRelief]

Who has paid her bills over the past 10 years?

She has paid them herself. She won that law suit.

[Hildy]

What's that got to do with anything? It's all coming out of the same pot.