Posted on 03/24/2005 11:29:41 AM PST by bw04wb
As an American I am outraged. As a father of two young children I am heartbroken. Terry Schiavo, a woman who has done nothing wrong, has been sentenced to death by the American Judicial system. Her parents and siblings are forced to watch as she will be starved to death. They can do nothing but watch her die.
Virtually every American controversy has two valid sides where well-informed people of good faith can disagree. The murder of Terri Schiavo is an exception to this rule. No person of good will could look at the facts of this case and come to the conclusion that ending her life is the right thing to do. I must admit, I was kind of in the middle of the road on this issue. I tried to see both sides. But after reading into it and checking the facts, I now believe that by ending her life in this manner is murder. There is no other way to slice it. Below are a list of myths and facts about Terri Schiavo and her case. Her doctors have testified to these and her nurses have signed court affidavits to back these up. The facts cannot be argued and should not be ignored.
MYTH: Terri is in a coma. FACT: Terri is NOT in a coma. Like you and I, Terri has separate periods of sleep and wakefulness. Like you and I, she is able to breathe normally, maintain a normal heartbeat and has involuntary functions other than the residual effects associated with a brain damaged patient. Terri is not using a respirator or any other machine to stay alive. She is NOT in a coma or a "persistent vegetative state" as her husband Michael has claimed. By Florida Law, a persistent vegetative state is defined as:
a) The absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of any kind.
This does not apply to Terri. She tracks objects with her eyes, she moves her limbs on command, she vocalizes when her family or friends are present, she laughs, she cries and she has been video taped while responding to her mother's words and touch, trying to speak and trying desperately to communicate.
b) An inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment.
Terri is able to interact purposefully with the her environment and experiences pain and discomfort like you and I. Medical records verify that terri has verbally expressed annoyance with caretakers and with at least one medical practitioner during examination - clearly indicating that Terri can communicate.
MYTH: Many doctors have said that there is no hope for her. FACT: Thanks to Terri's husband, she doesn't get to see many doctors. Dr Victor Gambone testified that he visits Terri 3 times a year. His visits last for approximately 10 minutes. He also testified, after viewing the court videotapes at Terri's recent trial, that he was surprised to see Terri's level of awareness. The doctor is part of a team hand-picked by her husband, Michael Schiavo, shortly before he filed to have Terri's feeding tube removed. Contrary to Schiavo's team, 10 independent physicians have given either statements or testimony that Terri is NOT in a Persistent Vegetative State. Additionally, there has never been any medical dispute of Terri's ability to swallow. Even with this compelling evidence, Terri's husband has denied ANY form of therapy for her for over ten years.
MYTH: Terri's condition was caused by a heart attack. FACT: Terri was NEVER diagnosed as a heart attack victim when she was admitted to the Northside Human emergency room in February 1990. To this day, her family does not know the true cause of her collapse. Doctors immediately excluded heart attack as her blood enzymes were not elevated, typical in all heart attack victims. Terri's toxicology screen also eliminated any suspicion of drugs.
At the time of Terri's admittance, blood tests revealed a depletion of electrolytes and her attending physician hypothesized that low blood potassium may have caused her collapse. It was with this information that Michael Schiave entered into a lawsuit against Terri's General Practitioner and Gynecologist, claiming negligence on their part. In preparation for Terri's October 2002 trial, her ER records were reviewed and it was plainly noted in the Admitting Summary that Terri had a "rigid neck" when she was admitted to the hospital. These injuries were never disclosed to Terri's family, not - to their knowledge- were they ever investigated. The doctor reviewing these records testified that the only other patient he treated with similar injuries was the victim of an attempted strangulation.
The prospect of foul play may have led to Terri's collapse and ensuing heart stoppage was enhanced when a bone scan was recently found. This scan, taken 53 weeks after Terri's collapse revealed that Terri had fractured ribs, damage to her pelvic area, L1 vertebrae, spine, both knees and both ankles. It also revealed that Terri had suffered a broken femur and a broken back. Three doctors concluded that Terri had endured trauma of some sort. The radiologist responsible for the scan plainly stated: "This patient has a history of trauma".
MYTH: Terri said she wanted to die if her life could only be sustained artificially. FACT: Terri never executed a will or a living will. Terri had no written directive nor is there any written record expressing Terri's wishes regarding medical care should she ever become incapacitated. There is no document in existence indicating Terri's wishes, much less any wish to die or be refused therapy should she become disabled. During the 1992 malpractice suit, Michael Schiaveo testified: "I believe in the vows I took with my wife, through sickness, in health, for richer or poor. I married my wife because I lover her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'm going to do that". He also told the jury that he intended to bring Terri home and that, if he had the equipment and resources, he would do so immediately.
MYTH: People like Terri are a burden to the system. FACT: Terri's brother and sister have consistently volunteered to work as her guardians. Terri's mother and father have volunteered to be responsible for her care and therapy - which Terri has a right to. Terri also has a medical fund and would not be cared for by taxpayers money. Though the Schindlers have lovingly volunteered to provide Terri rehabilitation and affectionate care, Michael continues to pursue his court battle to end her life by way of starvation.
MYTH: Terri's husband is only trying to do the right thing for her. FACT: Prior to the outcome of Terri's 1992 malpractice lawsuit, Michael placed her in a rehabilitation center and testified that he wanted to take care of his wife. After Terri was awarded her settlement, and Michaels was awarded $630,000, he stopped all progressive treatment and admitted Terri to a nursing home facility, which only provided routine care and maintenance. This was in spite of a promising neurological prognosis indicating that Terri was making progress on the way to recovery.
MYTH: Terri's family just doesn't want to let go. They are keeping her alive unnecessarily. FACT: A renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. William Hammesfahr, has offered to treat Terri and to give her the rehabilitation she needs to recover. Dr. Hammesfahr was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1999 and has recently been acknowledged by the Florida Board of Medicine as "the first and only doctor in medical history to reverse the effects of stroke". Dr. Hammesfahr thoroughly examined Terri and testified that Terri was not in a Persistent Vegetative State. Terri's parents only want their daughter to have access to this treatment as well as any other appropriate therapy. As a patient, Terry has been sequestered from treatment and recovery. Terri's family only want to change this and to have Terri's human rights restored.
THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW:
Terri is not comatose or in a vegetative state. This has been falsely reported in the media. She is shown on videotape responding to her friends and family.
Terri can move on command, laughs, cries and tries to speak.
Terri has not received any meaningful rehabilitative therapy in over 10 years. Though doctors say such therapy can advance her to recovery.
Terris siblings faced possible arrest and lost visitation rights the first time Terri's feeding tube was removed, for asking nurses to try feeding her baby food - which family doctors believed she could safely consume.
Terri does not use a Respirator nor does she need any machine or device to sustain her life. Her only dependency is a feeding tube.
Terri's family has not been allowed any participation in the decision making process for Terri's care.
Terri's husband gave specific instructions to her nursing facility NOT to treat her for potentially fatal infections.
Terri has not had her teeth cleaned since 1995.
Terri has not had a PAP smear since 1996.
Terri has never been given a mammogram.
These are the facts. I do not know why we are not hearing these in the media All of these things are afforded to even the worst criminals in our society. I want to know since when does a baby rapists or a murders life mean more than a woman who has done nothing wrong. The activist judges in this country are way out of line. These judges are appointed to the bench,( not elected), to interpret the law not make law. That is for the legislative body or our government to do. This past week, congress had every right to intervene. They believe that Terri was not given Due Process. Under the 14th amendment article 3, this is guaranteed to every citizen of the US. The governments cannot take life, liberty or property from anyone without Due Process. Those are our elected officials speaking. Even as congress stepped in, the judiciary body in Florida ignored their recommendation that Terri get her day in court.
I also want to know where the outrage is from the American people. When the prisoners of Abu Graib were "tortured" you would have thought the world was coming to an end. All we heard was, "you cannot do that to a living, breathing person". Whenever a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay is not afforded proper representation we say that is "unconstitutional". Even Saddam Hussein is being treated more humanely than Terri Schiavo. This week in Florida, a little 9 year old girl was brutally raped and murdered. The man that committed this heinous crime has admitted his guilt. Do you think he will be given his Due Process rights? I can guarantee he does.
I am also interested in learning why so many people are for ending Terri's life. I thought we were a compassionate society. I thought that this is what separated us from so many other countries around the world. I don't think we should end someones life just because someone thinks they are a nuisance or an inconvenience. Where does this stop. Is the next step going to be ending the life of Alzheimer's patients or Parkinson's patients? Are we going to take it a step farther and say any child with Cerebral Palsy is a nuisance to society so they must be terminated? How about the mentally retarded? Noone would want to live like that right? I just want to know where this is going to stop.
I hope and pray that someday, I am not in the position that Terri's parents are in. I don't think I could stand to watch someone starve my child to death. After learning the facts in this case, ask yourself, what would I be saying if I was in her parents shoes. This is week is Holy Week. We are celebrating the crucifiction and the resurrection of Christ. We should also be mourning the murder of Terri Schiavo.
Brian Welsch Coldwater, OH
Welcome to Free Republic.
Excellent post.
But the Death Ghouls are so enamoured with their lust for her death, they will never be convinced with facts.
Amen.
AMEN.
Welcome to FR.
I'm still struggling with the fact that the Powers That Be decided Holy Week is the best time to condemn someone to death.
What if she passes Good Friday?
I agree. No matter what anyone says to the contrary, the fact is a disabled woman is being starved and dehydrated to death on the orders of a judge. A convicted murderer can not be starved and dehydrated to death. But an innocent woman can be.
Email your article to President and Governor Bush. It is quite compelling.
Yeah, yeah, its murder and its your fault because you refuse to do anything but pound hyperbole on your keyboard. Yeah, yeah, hell's gonna have a special place for you and your kind. </sourcows>
It is the only way I can express my disappointment. I have sent this to the President and The Governor.
It is beyond bizarre.
I agree with you, this is murder. It is evil through and through. Is anyone surprised by it? I am not. When they sanctioned the murder of millions of babies, most of us knew it was just a matter of time before these dirt bags would be trying to kill off other "inconvenient" people as well. God must be slowly seething in anger.
You seem to have information the rest of us do not.
Do you have access to her medical records to support what you wrote (i.e. last date of PAP smear)?
Go to Terri's website and request the info. It is there.
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