New Guardian Urged for Terri Schiavo, More Evaluation of Her Condition Needed

LifeNews.com ^ | December 2, 2003 | Steven Ertelt

[Dante3]

Those who want Terri to die sure are afraid of being asked questions. As to why Judge Baird is blocking questions -- could there be payoffs or blackmail involved? It all leaves the impression of a desperate cover-up.

[AmericaUnited]

Happy Birthday Terri!

[FR_addict]

"Bush said he agreed with the assessment that Terri undergo swallowing tests."

I hope they don't have her drugged up for the swallowing tests.

[Snykerz]

Lifenews artical is back up and running

http://www.lifenews.com/bio158.html

Wolfson says Terri should be granted a permanent guardian other than
Michael Schiavo. Among other concerns, Terri's family says has denied
her appropriate medical and rehabilitative care he was obligated to
provide from a medical malpractice award he received.

Wolfson also said medical experts should be brought in to evaluate
Terri's cognitive function and her rehabilitative abilities.

[Dante3]

I'm glad that he wants Michael out of the picture. I hope Felos or his associates will be appointed

Incidentally, in Who's Who in American Law Felos' avocations are listed as: astronomy, tennis, gardening, baseball, piano. Somehow I can't imagine him either playing baseball or puttering in the garden.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, FV. Celebrating Terri's birthday is a wonderful idea.

Is there a way for you to get close enough to sing a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" and be heard in her room?

[FreepinforTerri]

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE HIM PRAISE HIM PRAISE HIM and then PRAISE HIM SOME MORE!

[Snykerz]

Well, here's another family that could use some prayers
(not sure if y'all have seen this or not)

Jason Childress' Family Continues Struggle to Provide Him
Medical Care

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 2, 2003

Charlottesville, VA (LifeNews.com) -- While the family of Terri
Schiavo continues its fight to stop her estranged husband from taking
her life, the parents of Jason Childress are waging a battle of their own
to get him the medical and rehabilitative care he needs.

Jason has been in a coma since a July 16 automobile accident. He was
nearly removed from life support prematurely when the University of
Virginia Medical Center failed to provide two weeks notice to his family
before doctors gave up and wanted to pull the plug.

Jason's father Jerry and stepmother Katrina were involved in a battle
with other family members that ultimately ended with a court-appointed
guardian deciding to remove Jason from life support.

Katrina Childress tells LifeNews.com that Jason continues to breathe on
his own and responds to commands, despite being removed from the
ventilator in early September.

"Jason is keeping his eyes open for longer periods of time now, when
he hears the phone ring he looks towards the noise, and he still
squeezes my hand upon command," Katrina said.

However, other family members still say Jason would prefer to die.

Jason's sister Amy recently took a local newspaper reporter to visit
Jason and he did not respond to her. That proves to Amy, whose own
daughter was once put on life-support, that Jason is beyond hope and
measures to provide him with medical care or rehabilitation are
unnecessary.

"Jason is probably not going to respond to someone that he can hear
saying he doesn't want to live," Katrina said in response.

"With Amy continuing to say Jason wouldn't want to live like this, I am
deeply concerned," Katrina continued. "We're not keeping him alive
now -- the only thing he has is a feeding tube. Jason would never have
said he wanted to be starved to death. I am so afraid that if Amy
continues telling reporters this then we may be in a situation like the
Shindlers are with Terri Schiavo."

The good news for the Childress' is that Jason's court-appointed
guardian, Herbert Pickford, a retired Charlottesville Circuit Court judge,
says Jason should receive medical care as long as he continues to live.
Pickford has said he does not favor removing the feeding tube.

Jason's parents have been fighting to get into a rehab program, but
they don't have the funds to place him in a proper program such as the
one at Retreat Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. The hospital has a
specialized program for patients in comas.

Jerry and Katrina have also asked their attorney to have a neurological
evaluation repeated to see the current extent of any brain damage
Jason may have suffered.

"No matter what the neurological evaluation shows, Jerry and I stand
firm with saying that Jason does want to continue to live," Katrina said.

Those who want to make a donation to benefit Jason Childress' medical
care can do so by sending a check to:

Trauma Resource Network Ministries
c/o Bank of the James
4698 S. Amherst Hwy.
Madison Heights, VA 24572

[editor-surveyor]

Next thing the judge will do is appoint Satan himself as guardian.

[nicmarlo]

The Judge is hoping Terri will die before any depositions can take place, IMHO.

[nicmarlo]

Today's filings in the Pinellas County Courthouse, Schiavo v. Bush

Uniform Case	Pinellas Case	Section	Case Type	Type
522003CA008212XXCICI	03008212CI	020	DECLARATORY	CI
Style:	SCHIAVO MICHAEL
vs.	BUSH JEB
Jury Trial	STIP	NOTH	Reason	Type Disp.
		Y
Filling Date	Appeal Date	Judg. Date	Reop Date	Docket Date
10/21/03	11/14/03
Case/Cat
DECLARATORY JUDGMENT

 

10 Docket Entries, 12/01/03 to 11/26/03

Pages	Date	P/D	Docket Entry	Ver
	12/01/03	DEFENDANT	STATEMENT FOR CASE MANAGEMETN CONF	F
	12/01/03	CLERK	FILE RETD TO CIV COURT RECORDS FROM APPEALS	N
	12/01/03	CLERK	APPEAL CLERK'S WORKSHEET W/ATTACHMENT	F
	12/01/03	PLAINTIFF	DCA ORDER: DENYING APPELLEES MTN TO EXPEDITE ETC #03-5123	F
	12/01/03	PLAINTIFF	THE CIRCUIT COURT - INTL BRF DUE 120803 #03-5200	F
	12/01/03	PLAINTIFF	DCA ORDER: APPEAL WILL PROCEED W/O A FORMAL RECORD PREPARED BY	N
	11/26/03	DEFENDANT	NOTICE OF INTENT TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS BY JEB BUSH	F
	11/26/03	PLAINTIFF	SUMMONS RETD SERVED JEB BUSH 112103	F
	11/26/03	PLAINTIFF	NOTICE WITHOUT WAIVER OF FILING ATTD	N
	11/26/03	PLAINTIFF	OPPOSITION TO MOTION TO STRIKE	F

NOTH	Notice of Hearing
STIP	Stipulation
Ver	Verified: F=Filed, N=Not Filed/Notice. There is no case file document associated with a notice.

[Snykerz]

Let him go ahead and appoint Satan:
Because:
"God is Alive, Magic is afoot, God is in command"

[daylate-dollarshort]

I believe that LifeNews pulled the article because it wasn't exactly what the report stated.

Guardian says Schiavo not likely to improve, wants to stay on case

By MITCH STACY
The Associated Press
12/2/2003, 4:53 p.m. ET

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — An independent guardian has concluded there is no likelihood a severely brain damaged woman at the center of a life-or-death legal battle will improve, according to a report delivered to Gov. Jeb Bush that was released Tuesday.

But as along as there is controversy in the case of Terri Schiavo, guardian Jay Wolfson is asking to remain on the case in hopes of settling the fight between her husband, her parents and the governor, the report said.

He also recommended that swallowing tests be conducted on Terri, to see if she would be able to eat on her own.

Wolfson, the University of South Florida professor appointed by a judge last month to investigate the case, had attempted to broker a settlement between Michael Schiavo, the governor and his in-laws in their battle over the fate of Terri Schiavo, the report said. But on Sunday the negotiations broke down and no agreement could be reached.

Wolfson had been charged with gathering evidence to support whether the stay enacted by Bush blocking the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube should remain in effect.

Bush was moved by Terri Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, to stop Michael Schiavo from ending his wife's life in October. Her parents have contended their 39-year-old daughter is disabled, but still hears and reacts to them.

Bush said Tuesday nothing in the report has changed his mind that it was right to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

"I see nothing in the report that changes any feelings I have about whether or not the stay should be lifted," Bush said, adding he respected Wolfson's effort. "I don't believe that's appropriate.

Bush said he agreed with the assessment that Terri undergo swallowing tests.

"That's the good news part of this," he said.

Wolfson said in his report that as long as controversy exists in the case, an independent guardian whose only charge is to look out for Terri Schiavo's interest should be appointed to represent her. Michael Schiavo currently serves as his wife's guardian.

Wolfson's lengthy report to the governor asks that he remain on the case until a resolution can be reached on what will happen to Terri Schiavo, who has been in a persistent vegetative state for more than a decade. A chemical imbalance caused her heart to stop beating and cut off oxygen to her brain.

Michael Schiavo has said his wife, who was raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., did not want to be kept alive artificially. Her parents have said she has no such wish and say their son-in-law wants to be rid of his wife so he can marry another woman.

Wolfson wrote in the report that he has concluded from medical records that there is no likelihood of Terri Schiavo's improving and there is evidence she cannot eat or drink on her own nor can she consciously interact with her environment.

Wolfson also found that Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer, who originally granted Michael Schiavo permission to withdraw his wife's feeding tube, made that decision "firmly grounded" within Florida case law.

Attorneys in the case did not immediately return calls for comment.

The report was release shortly after a judge blocked Bush's attorneys from questioning some potential witnesses in the legal battle over the life of a severely brain damaged woman.

Michael Schiavo is suing Bush in Pinellas Circuit Court over the constitutionality of "Terri's Law," the hastily passed measure which gave Bush the power to reinsert Terri Schiavo's feeding tube six days after her husband ordered it removed in October.

Pinellas Circuit Court Judge W. Douglas Baird granted a motion by Michael Schiavo's attorney, stopping Bush's attorneys from taking depositions from seven people, including Michael Schiavo and the woman with whom he now lives.

Baird said that he may allow some questioning to take place later in the case.

[sport]

Agree! If Goverenor Bush's team gets antwhere it will have to be through the appellate court.

Right now they are in a kangeroo court.

baird and greer too for that matter will do everything in their power to keep the truth from coming out.

[sport]

Keep contacting baird. It may not help but it won't hurt.

Run the darkness out with the light of truth.

[Chocolate Rose]

Amen! (post#25&76)

[cyn]

Thanks for the ping! Here's hoping these findings help get Terri out of harm's way ASAP.

[sarasmom]

BTTT.
Happy Birthday Terri!
Hang in there sweetie, and maybe with everyones prayers and the concerted help of a few good men and women, you, and those who love you most, can have a very Merry Christmas together!
God bless Jeb Bush, and the Florida Legislature for their help.

[FatherOfLiberty]

Did Felos let you get back on Free Republic, Michael?

Consider the source: By MITCH STACY The Associated Press

[jwalsh07]

He also claimed Terri is in a permanent vegetative state, but added that she should be re-evaluated by experts.

Wolfson doesn't have the bona fides to make any such claim. Reputable neurologists have testifed to the contrary.