[Flamenco Lady]

I stand corrected, though I doubt most people then knew it was legal, in fact it is apparent that this case has brought it to the attention of a lot of people that it is even legal now. I believe it was still illegal for someone in a "persistive vegetative state" to have their food withdrawn when Terri became ill. Quite frankly I still doubt she is PVS, but that is another matter.

[george wythe]

To be completely fair and accurate, the Schiavo case and the Browning case involved different circumstances. Unlike Schiavo, Browning had a living will (written directive), and she was not in persistent vegetative state nor was she comatose. For instance, Browning would follow visitors with her eyes.

Nevertheless, as you correctly stated, there was an unconstitutional statute on the books that prohibited the removal of feeding tubes, except in terminal illness. Since Browning, just like Terri, was not terminally ill, doctors were afraid of removing her feeding tube, according to her written wishes. [Mrs. Browning stipulated that she desired not to have "nutrition and hydration (food and water) provided by gastric tube or intravenously." ]

Sadly, Browning died before her case was reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court. Therefore, her written directive not be kept in feeding tubes was never respected.