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Surprised lawyer finds Terri Schiavo alert
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, January 5, 2005

Posted on 01/05/2005 12:26:07 AM PST by JohnHuang2

Wednesday, January 5, 2005



LIFE AND DEATH TUG OF WAR
Surprised lawyer finds
Terri Schiavo alert

1st visit contradicts claims of 'persistent vegetative state'


Posted: January 5, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern


© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Despite the widely believed claims of her husband, Terri Schiavo is purposefully interactive, curious and expressive with her parents, according to a surprised lawyer who visited for the first time the brain-damaged Florida woman embroiled in a euthanasia dispute.


Terri responding to her mother in video clip available on terrisfight.org

After a 45-minute visit Christmas Eve, attorney Barbara Weller concluded Schiavo was so alert that she "should have been gathered around the Christmas dinner table enjoying the holiday with her family."

Weller, along with attorney David Gibbs, took over the lead counsel role in September for Terri's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, who are in a protracted legal battle with her husband, Michael Schiavo, to keep their daughter alive.

Gibbs also was present during the Dec. 24 visit.

Not knowing what to expect, Weller said in a narrative posted on the family website she "prepared for the possibility that the Schindlers love their daughter and sister so much that they might imagine behaviors by Terri that aren't actually evident to others."

But she was "very surprised" to find that, "From the moment we entered the room, my impression was that Terri was very purposeful and interactive and she seemed very curious about the presence of obvious strangers in her room."

Noting that Terri was not in bed but dressed and groomed and sitting in a chair without any tubes attached, Weller wrote:

The thing that surprised me the most about Terri as I took my turn to greet her by the side of her chair was how beautiful she is. I would have expected to see someone with a sallow and gray complexion and a sick looking countenance. Instead, I saw a very pretty woman with a peaches and cream complexion and a lovely smile, which she even politely extended to me as I introduced myself to her. I was amazed that someone who had not been outside for so many years and who received such minimal health care could look so beautiful. She appeared to have an inner light radiating from her face. I was truly taken aback by her beauty, particularly under the adverse circumstances in which she has found herself for so many years.

As WorldNetDaily has reported, Terri collapsed in 1990 in the couple's St. Petersburg apartment. For reasons never satisfactorily explained, oxygen to her brain was cut off for several minutes, leaving her unable to talk and dependent on a feeding tube for food and hydration at the age of 26.

In a 2000 trial, Michael Schiavo persuaded Florida probate Judge George Greer that Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state," which in the absence of a written directive, allowed Michael Schiavo to request removal of her feeding tube.

In November, however, Greer ruled the tube cannot be removed until the Schindlers have exhausted all avenues in their quest for a new trial to determine whether or not their daughter would want to be starved to death.

Michael Schiavo insists he simply is carrying out his wife's wishes, but Terri's parents contend Terri is alert, has a strong will to live and could be significantly rehabilitated with aggressive therapy. More than a dozen physicians, therapists and speech pathologists have stepped forward to state agreement with the Schindlers.

The parents also assert Michael Schiavo's interests are conflicted since he has lived with another woman for at least nine years with whom he has had two children.

Weller said that during the visit Dec. 24, "Terri's parents, sister and niece went immediately to greet Terri when we entered the room and stood in turn directly beside her head, stroking her face, kissing her and talking quietly with her.

"When she heard their voices, and particularly her mother's voice, Terri instantly turned her head towards them and smiled," Weller continued. "Terri established eye contact with her family, particularly with her mother, who spent the most time with her during our visit."

Weller said the "whole experience was rather moving."

"Terri definitely has a personality," she said. "Her whole demeanor definitely changes when her mother speaks with her. She lights up and appears to be delighted at the interaction. She has an entirely different reaction to her father who jokes with her and has several standing jokes that he uses when he enters and exits her presence."

Weller said she "never imagined Terri would be so active, curious, and purposeful."

"She watched people intently, obviously was attempting to communicate with each one in various ways and with various facial expressions and sounds," she said. "She was definitely not in a coma, not even close. This visit certainly shed more light for me on why the Schindlers are fighting so hard to protect her, to get her medical care and rehabilitative assistance, and to spend all they have to protect her life."

Court documents and other information are posted on the Schindler family website.

Links to all "Terri briefs" regarding the governor's defense of Terri's Law are on the Florida Supreme Court website, public information.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: schiavo; terri; terrischiavo; terrisfight
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To: Ohioan from Florida

ditto.


61 posted on 01/05/2005 5:47:21 PM PST by F.J. Mitchell (McCain will slay a slew of Republican initiatives if he is able.)
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To: floriduh voter

floriduh voter, if you think he's incompetent then I believe he is. You were there reporting for us last year and so I believe you.

God bless you for all you've done for Terri.


62 posted on 01/05/2005 5:48:40 PM PST by TAquinas
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To: trickyricky
Why can't Terri's parents get "custody" of her (if that's the term)? If that were my daughter they would have to kill me before I'd let the system kill her.

Guardianship proceedings were filed in September of 2002. Judge Greer has granted endless continuances. Further, even when depositions were scheduled for Michael Schiavo (which he was legally required to attend, and at which he would be required to answer questions under oath), Judge Greer has refused to punish Michael for refusing to show up.

63 posted on 01/05/2005 5:51:16 PM PST by supercat (To call the Constitution a 'living document' is to call a moth-infested overcoat a 'living garment'.)
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To: TAquinas; Ohioan from Florida; Republic; tutstar
Thanks. Terri's been through so much already. LET TERRI LIVE! We have no idea if the US Supreme Court will accept or reject Jeb Bush's appeal (Terri's Law). We have no idea if Jeb will come up with another plan if the US Supreme Court rejects Jeb's appeal.

Every voice for Terri is important because this could get ugly in a matter of weeks.

64 posted on 01/05/2005 5:54:59 PM PST by floriduh voter ( **** Help Terri Visit www.terrisfight.org)
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To: Ohioan from Florida
Thanks. Now for a correction...she believes in the {legal} case of the Schiavos Schindlers...

Don't look now, but my face is red.

65 posted on 01/05/2005 5:56:05 PM PST by txrangerette
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To: Northern Yankee
Her hospice care has been horrible, to say the least. She does not get sun into her room, has not been outside, nor has she had her teeth brushed in months.

Does not the lawyer who visited her remark about how beautiful and white her teeth are? She has to have the blinds drawn to keep the paparazzi in the trees outside from getting photos and selling them to the likes of the Enquirer, Globe and other highest bidding news outlets. And put her outside, the press would be all over her, not to mention you 'screwballs' who might kidnap her. And 'her Hospice care has been horrible'... what authority do base this on!

You all talk as if you are on the inside and know every little detail. Obviously, you all are not! "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject"--Winston Churchill

66 posted on 01/05/2005 6:06:40 PM PST by snapperjk (If you are a terror to many, then beware of many.)
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To: snapperjk
you're baaaaaaaaaaack. Actually, the blinds are drawn and her door is shut. There's nobody around her wing. The sensory deprivation doesn't seem to be working though.

Terri did have some teeth pulled last year and if I'm not mistaken, HER WHEELCHAIR IS STILL BROKEN. Terri is not allowed outside her room and Santa and Carolers were forbidden to entertain and visit with Terri.

Sounds like a prison to me, pretty rooms, nice grounds but it's still a prison.

67 posted on 01/05/2005 6:12:20 PM PST by floriduh voter ( **** Help Terri Visit www.terrisfight.org)
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To: snapperjk

Freeping for Bushnell?


68 posted on 01/05/2005 6:13:47 PM PST by floriduh voter ( **** Help Terri Visit www.terrisfight.org)
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To: Scoop 1

Ping. This is a pretty lively thread.


69 posted on 01/05/2005 6:35:15 PM PST by floriduh voter ( **** Help Terri Visit www.terrisfight.org)
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To: pc93

FOR THE RECORD: At the moment there are no paparazzi at Hospice Woodside. The other team wants to keep the blinds down so Terri can't enjoy the occasional bird on the wing or see the sunrise.


70 posted on 01/05/2005 6:37:51 PM PST by floriduh voter ( **** Help Terri Visit www.terrisfight.org)
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Comment #71 Removed by Moderator

To: floriduh voter
She's her own best witness.

Yes, but she's not allowed to testify in court.

72 posted on 01/05/2005 6:43:33 PM PST by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: JohnHuang2
Weller said she "never imagined Terri would be so active, curious, and purposeful."

ac·tive   Audio pronunciation of "active" ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (ktv)
adj.

  1. Being in physical motion: active fish in the aquarium.
  2. Functioning or capable of functioning.
    1. Marked by energetic activity; busy: active stock and bond markets; spent an active day sightseeing.
    2. Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy: an active workout at the gym.
    1. Being in a state of action; not quiescent: active hostilities along the border.
    2. Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant: an active volcano.
    1. Marked by or involving direct participation: took an active interest in politics; played an active role on the committee.
    2. Currently in use or effect: an active membership.
    3. Openly acknowledged or expressed: an active dislike of the new neighbors.
  3. Producing an intended action or effect: active ingredients.
  4. Grammar.
    1. Indicating that the subject of the sentence is performing or causing the action expressed by the verb. Used of a verb form or voice.
    2. Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move.
  5. Producing profit, interest, or dividends: active accounts; active stocks.
  6. Electronics.
    1. Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator.
    2. Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor.
  7. Being on full military duty and receiving full pay.

    cu·ri·ous   Audio pronunciation of "curious" ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (kyr-s)
    adj.

    1. Eager to learn more: curious investigators; a trapdoor that made me curious.
    2. Unduly inquisitive; prying.
    3. Arousing interest because of novelty or strangeness: a curious fact.
    4. Archaic.
      1. Accomplished with skill or ingenuity.
      2. Extremely careful; scrupulous.

    pur·pose·ful   Audio pronunciation of "purposeful" ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (pûrps-fl)
    adj.

    1. Having a purpose; intentional: a purposeful musician.
    2. Having or manifesting purpose; determined: entered the room with a purposeful look.


73 posted on 01/05/2005 6:43:37 PM PST by TheOtherOne
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To: Scoop 1

Greer refuses to see Terri. Refuses. So much for his oath, or missing oath to protect the Wards in Pinellas-Pasco County.


74 posted on 01/05/2005 6:45:40 PM PST by floriduh voter ( **** Help Terri Visit www.terrisfight.org)
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To: floriduh voter
Yes they are holding her prisoner, fv.

It is good the lawyers stunned reaction is getting this press. Great article for Terri!

75 posted on 01/05/2005 6:46:58 PM PST by TOUGH STOUGH (I support Terri's supporters!!!!)
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Comment #76 Removed by Moderator

To: floriduh voter
Judge Greer hasn't seen Terri in years...

He's never seen Terri, has he?

77 posted on 01/05/2005 6:47:54 PM PST by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: floriduh voter

Terri's lawyers should suggest that Terri be brought into the courtroom.


78 posted on 01/05/2005 6:48:07 PM PST by TOUGH STOUGH (I support Terri's supporters!!!!)
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To: BykrBayb
I think he saw her one time or I may be thinking about another disabled woman in a wheelchair who was in the courtroom for some reason.

I believe they had a tv set in there with a tape of Terri and he didn't want the tv to be moved closer so he could see it, mind you, the man's got a pale optic nerve and has a driver. He has 20/200 vision. No way can he state that something is "clear an convincing". He's as blind as a bat.

79 posted on 01/05/2005 6:51:57 PM PST by floriduh voter ( **** Help Terri Visit www.terrisfight.org)
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To: NYer; american colleen; Lady In Blue; Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding

Jeb Bush for President!


80 posted on 01/05/2005 6:52:10 PM PST by churchillbuff
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