[lnbchip]

Why is it so hard for people like you to find value and worth in the lives of the suffering and handicapped? I am sorry that you have been forced to deal with this situation. But, you are wrong in so many ways in your attitude toward Terri Schaivo. A human life is not at peace only when it is in perfect condition and not suffering. My wife and mother-in-law have made a point for the last few years of taking our kids to Mass at the nursing home a half mile from our home. Our kids have seen suffering and pain. But the lesson we don't want to teach our kids is that those old people would be better off dead than sitting there in those chairs drooling and in pain. We want our kids to learn to love and make contact with those people on their level. When my daughter is asked by the Alzheimers patients three and four times what her name is, she just politely says her name over and over again. She doesn't make fun of the people, she respects them and loves them even in their condition. Human life has value simply because it is human. When our family did mission work in Mexico, my children were blessed with the opportunity to visit the shut-ins. In one home a blind man was taking care of his wife who had no legs. They lived in a one room house that leaked all over and basically only kept out the torrential rain. But I guarantee you that anyone who left there did not leave feeling sorry for these people. You couldn't help leaving without falling in love with them and their relationship. Under the attitude you present, these people would be happier dead. When the lady finally died last year. The blind gentleman was destroyed emotionally. Her life had amazing meaning to many of my friends. We will miss her very badly. It breaks my heart to hear how her husband is handling her death. But, his love and Faith will carry him on. Let Terri live to spread love to her family and all of us whom she inspires. Let her go???? What you are saying is kill her and put her out of her misery. I'm sorry but that's horrible. She is special even if she never improves one bit. Who cares if she is a burden. All human life deserves to be respected and cared for. God places these people in our hands - and her family is more than willing to take her on and love and care for her until she dies a natural death.

[Holly12345M]

Have you had to deal with it on a personal level?? I did. I took care of my terminally ill grandmother. I watched her suffer with pain everyday. I watched her go downhill. They wanted to put in the feeding tube and we thought about it. And we came to the conclusion, no, she is in too much pain. She cried every-night. It got to a point where she was losing her mind(Alzheimer's). In alot of ways my grandmother was like Terri. I am not saying that I want her to die. You misinterpreted what I was saying. She probably has a chance she could recover. But what if she doesn't. I just don't know how anyone can live with themselves watching a loved one suffer in pain. Not being able to do anything. My grandmother said how embarrassed she felt having to rely on others just to do a simple thing like going to the bathroom. So I can kind of imagine what Terri is going through. I lived through it with my grandmother. But I do respect your opinions.