"And yet thousands of families a day in hospital across this country make decisions exactly like this without benefit of living wills"
Herein lies a big problem in the Shiavo case, it's not the family deciding. It's the husband only and he's treating Terri's family like dirt.
We'll have to disagree that Michael has treated Terri like dirt.
Did you now that court testimony provides that:
Michael became a respiratory therapist in order to better care for Terri.
Nurses testified in the malpractice trial that his care for her was so exemplary that Terri never even had a bed sore, which is highly unusual, and that he was extremely demanding of the hospital staff.
That he even tried experimental surgery for her which is why she has electrodes in her brain to try and stimulate brain activity.
That Terri's parents testified under oath that they were willing to see Terri have multiple amputations in the event she contracted diabetes, a fairly common occurrence for someone who is PVS, I think. And that they also testified under oath that even if they knew she wouldn't want to live this way, they would keep her alive. It was at that point that Michael said, enough.
That in the early 90's the Schindlers brought Terri home only to return her to rehab stating that they found it overwhelming to care for her. I have very little confidence that 15 years later and 15 years older they are in a position to better provide that care.
That Mr. Schindler testified under oath that he told Michael it was time for him to get on with his life. That the Schindlers, up until they objected to not getting any malpractice money, thought that Michael was a wonderful son in law and provided excellent care of Terri.