I appreciate that you wish to understand more. Ultimately, Terri's case is understandable, though painfully so. If you take away the "evil" allegations that have been leveled against everyone, it's easy to see what you're left with.
You're left with a woman who suffered a heart attack 15 years ago, who essentially died but was resuscitated, though not entirely. Her brain had suffered enormous damage from the heart attack. As time passed, her brain further deteriorated -- to the point where much if not most of her cerebral cortex (the portion of the brain that controls conscious thought, among other things) was literally gone, replaced by spinal fluid. Doctors hired by Terri's husband say the deterioration of Terri's brain left her without thoughts or feelings, that the damage is irreversible, and that Terri's life-like appearance is merely the result of brain stem activity -- basically involuntary reflexes we all have. An independent doctor hired by the court reached the same conclusions. Doctors hired by Terri's parents did not dispute the physical damage done to Terri, but they claim there are new therapies that could improve her condition. In two separate trials, the trial court found such claims of potential improvement to be without merit. Terri's body continues to function without her cerebral cortex. She is sustained by a feeding tube surgically inserted into her stomach. She cannot eat through her mouth without a strong likelihood of choking to death.
You're left with a husband who lived with his in-laws following Terri's heart attack, who apparently provided care and therapy for years but who later came to believe Terri would never recover. He believes she would not have wanted to be kept alive in this brain-degenerated condition by a surgically implanted tube. He is apparently willing to continue his fight to achieve what he believes Terri would want despite ridicule, hatred, expense, and threats.
You're left with parents who were once allied with Terri's husband in an effort to care for Terri and restore her but, unlike Terri's husband, they never lost hope. They believe Terri reacts to them and has conscious thoughts. They believe Terri would not want, and does not want, her feeding tube removed, and that some cognitive function could be restored through new therapies. Terri's parents are willing to continue their fight to achieve what they believe Terri would want despite ridicule, hatred, expense, and threats.
You're left with judges who have been placed in the utterly thankless position of applying Florida law to this impassioned situation. Florida law calls for the trial court to determine what Terri would chose to do in this situation, and after a trial hard fought by Terri's husband and her family, where each side was given the opportunity to present its best case about what Terri would do, the court determined the evidence was clear and convincing that Terri would chose not to continue living by the affirmative intervention of modern medicine -- that she would chose to have her feeding tube disconnected. In a second trial, brought about by Terri's family's claims new therapies could restore her and that the existence of such a therapy would make her "change her mind," the trial court again heard evidence from all sides and determined that no new therapy presented any reasonable chance of restoring Terri's brain function. The propriety of these decisions -- from the sufficiency of the evidence to the appropriateness of the procedures used -- has been unanimously upheld on appeal each time.
You're left with a public that is much confused. Some see video clips of Terri moving, appearing to make eye contact, and making sounds, and they assume such are the product of conscious thought -- that Terri's "in there." Some believe Terri's husband has been motivated by money. Some believe that no heart attack occurred -- instead, Terri's husband beat her nearly to death and has been trying to end her life ever since. Some believe he is a bad person because he has taken up with another woman and has children with her. Some believe Florida's judiciary is corrupt or inept, to the point where death threats have been made against the trial judge. Some are sad that families would fight like this. Some believe that removing Terri's feeding tube would cause her pain and is inhumane (I'm no doctor, but the medical information I've seen on this subject uniformly says the opposite.) Some are disappointed that the law does not allow someone in Terri's condition to be kept alive perpetually if a family member is willing to care for him or her. Some believe no life should be permitted to reach an unnecessary end unless irrefutable proof, or at least written proof, shows the person wanted things that way.
There is always another side. None of is so wise as to be able to insist that our own beliefs are ultimately correct. For that reason we ought to not be too insistent. That was Hamilton's point in the Federalist.
Here she is, right on schedule, to ruin a perfectly good Saturday afternoon.
Blah, blah, blah. She's a living human being, and her estranged husband is slowly starving her to death, with the help of a deranged lawyer and a corrupt judge.
I have visited that web site, Hildy. Thanks for the ping.
Without stating my opinion about this matter, what is unfortunate to see is how many opinions are being offered by people who haven't paid attention to some of the nitty gritty facts.
I've seen freepers espouse that Michael is after the insurance money. And yet according to court papers, Michael formally offered to divest himself entirely of his financial interests in the guardianship estate.
Freepers have said that Terri has not been seen by a neurologist. That's patently untrue.
It's been stated she did not have a CAT scan. That's patently untrue. She's had dozens.
It's been stated that Michael refused to let a priest visit her. That's patently untrue. Some of them have given interviews after their visit with Terri and just yesterday she was given last rites.
Terri's sister stated on CNN last night that they don't even know if Terri had a heart attack. Court documentation by numerous doctors provides evidence that Terri did have a heart attack. Her sister denied that Terri had bulimia but that is the very basis under which Michael won a malpractice suit.
Court testimony provided by members of the Schindler family included very personal statements about their desire and intention to ensure that Theresa remain alive . . . at any and all costs. Nearly gruesome examples were given, eliciting agreement by family members that in the event Theresa should contract diabetes and subsequent gangrene in each of her limbs, they would agree to amputate each limb and would then, were she to be diagnosed with heart disease, perform open-heart surgery. Within the testimony, as part of the hypothetical presented, Schindler family members stated that even if Theresa had told them of her intention to have artificial nutrition withdrawn, they would not do it.
This is a deplorable situation that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And it's been upsetting to see absolute lies stated as fact, over and over again on FR. If any good can come of this, it is that people will think more carefully about signing Living Wills and making their intentions clear.
He's entitled to his opinion. What are his pro-life credentials generally speaking?
If I might add a few thoughts of my own?
This is a most difficult day in the lives of the Schiavo family. We have all exchanged articles on this volatile news item.
I decided to spend some time researching and reading about this case. It has been tough on many concerned. When she was first injured she was involved in various treatments but with no success. After about 5 years and having HIS wife's wishes finally observed he proceeded to have her life end. That she never would want to live this way. That she can once again be whole in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Frankly did the machines keep her alive longer then intended. I suppose both sides can use that by saying if God wanted her to return he would have and if he didn't that was God's plan as well.
If this were to happen to me I am saying this to my friends and reminding Dave of my wishes. I would not wish to be in the state Terri is in I just wouldn't. I would not be a wife to him anymore. While he loves me and I love him I would not want him to live in the past. So Dave you have now been reminded. Further more, I am married to my love and I have spent many hours discussing many things and that if my mother were to become involved should I be in this state, requesting that she trump my husband, I would be outraged. Not that I do not love my mother and I am her daughter, I am however my husbands wife and that in the end trumps it all.
Again I am sharing how I feel. I cannot see into the marriage of the Schiavos marriage or relationship she had with her parents but in the end she is his wife and it is his duty and honor to in fact honor her.
He is doing just that. I know he his character is less then desirable and yes he has found comfort with another woman. Again, if this were me I would not want my husband to stop smelling the flowers, enjoying our pups' living in the past.
Finally, I am all for states rights. I am glad that Gov. Bush took interest in the last time of the feeding tube not be reinserted. He gave time for a review and that has occurred. I am outraged with Congress. I believe in the separation of powers. It is not it's place to stick it's nose into the issue of Ms. Schiavo.
I can tell you what tears me up. We have excelled in the area of machines keeping our bodies alive. I realize that are times when someone comes our of a long coma but it is rare. Her feeding tube is not a machine but she cannot tell you if she is hungry so for me it is a machine keeping her alive. I must confess I do not think I would want to die as a result of having no food or water. Which has not been discussed. I say that because if he had her wishes in writing I do believe folks would still be outraged. Which seems to me is about the method of how she will leave this world and into the arms of her Heavenly Father. Should there be another option, yes.
This is my personal opinion. I believe in life. I believe in states rights. Lastly, I believe in the bond of marriage and that my spouse if alive will make decisions as it pertains to my life when I cannot.
Finally what makes Free Republic great, that we can agree to disagree but in the process learn from one another.
Two doctor in medical review found the same thing and the family is saying otherwise?
This whole situation is just sad.
How can one say she should die based on the wishes of an adulterous husband who shows no evidence of any love for his wife? Are we supposed to just believe he is telling the truth that Terri told him he wanted to die?
One's word doesn't mean squat in a criminal case, yet somehow this is irrefutable evidence in this case?
He did love her early on. But, no more.
I am willing to consider that the videos of Terri apparently smiling etc. are just involuntary reflexes.
However, forming words is not.
I am willing to toss out yesterday's claim of saying "iiiiii waaaaa...." but that leaves previous events and more than just involuntary responses.
She is not braindead.