Posted on 03/25/2005 1:55:13 PM PST by anonymoussierra
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press Writer
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - As Terri Schiavo's body continued its slow shutdown Friday, the severely brain-damaged woman's parents held out hope for unlikely help from Gov. Jeb Bush and further pressed the federal courts to have their daughter's feeding tube reconnected.
{snip}----------------
The parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, were running out of options and time in their bitter court fight against her husband, who has said she has no hope for recovery and wouldn't want to be kept alive artificially. The Schindlers believe their daughter could improve.
As of Friday afternoon, Schiavo had been without food or water for seven full days, and doctors have said she would probably die within a week or two of her feeding tube being pulled. Dehydration has taken its toll on the 41-year-old woman, producing flaky skin, dry tongue and lips, and sunken eyes, according to attorneys and friends of the Schindlers.
"Terri is weakening. She's down to her last hours. Something has to be done and has to be done quick," said Bob Schindler, who visited his daughter Friday morning.
{snip}--------------------------
The Schindlers took their case back to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (news - web sites) in Atlanta on Friday the same court that has ruled against them twice this week. Another emergency request is before Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer, who has handled the case for years.
The Schindlers asked the federal appeals court to overturn a ruling from a federal judge in Tampa, who for the second time refused to order the tube reinserted as he considers the parents' lawsuit. The newest plea argues that their daughter's due process and religious rights were being violated.
U.S. District Judge James Whittemore wrote earlier in the day that the parents could not establish "a substantial likelihood of success on the merits" of their case. He also noted "the difficulties and heartbreak the parties have endured throughout this lengthy process."
Gov. Bush has been a staunch supporter of the Schindlers, and his office was still clinging to hope Friday that the courts would allow the state to provide emergency care for Schiavo.
"We are continuing to do whatever we can and we are pursuing all the options available to us in this case," Bush spokesman Jacob DiPietre said.
But supporters of Michael Schiavo said the time for challenges had ended.
"All the politicians who injected themselves into this tragic and personal matter now need to begin respecting both the law and the legal process even if they disagree with the result that was reached in this case," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (news - web sites)'s Florida chapter.
Terri Schiavo's tube was removed March 18 on a state judge's order. She has been without food and water longer than she was in 2003, when the tube was removed for six days and five hours. It was reinserted when Bush and the Legislature pushed through a law that was later thrown out by the state Supreme Court.
Many supporters of the Schindlers say Bush could simply ignore the courts and take emergency custody of Schiavo.
"Now is the day. Now is the time for the governor to have courage," said Paul O'Donnell, a Franciscan monk and Schindler family supporter. "The governor needs to take action and take action soon. She's dying."
{snip}-----------------------
Bush said Thursday he is not willing to go beyond the boundaries of his powers.
An attorney for Michael Schiavo also rejected arguments that Bush could overturn years of court orders in the husband's favor.
"Jeb Bush does not own the state of Florida and just cannot impose his will on Terri Schiavo," George Felos told CBS' "The Early Show" on Friday. Felos declined comment to The Associated Press.
Outside the hospice where Terri Schiavo lay, eight more people including a 10-year old boy and 13-year-old twin girls were arrested Friday for trying to bring her water.
"I don't want her to die," Joshua Heldreth, 10, from North Carolina, said before his arrest. "I'm not afraid because God is with me."
Terri Schiavo suffered brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped briefly from a chemical imbalance believed to have been brought on by an eating disorder. She left no living will.
This is"Joshua Heldreth"!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!
Thank you, Dear Sierra!!!
You are precious!
These pictures are heart breaking to see.
May God grant us our petitions as we plead for this young woman.
And God bless these precious children as they seek to be a witness for Christ, to the lost.
In Jesus' love,
LP
MARY MUST GIVE WATER TO HER DAUGHTER.
SHE MUST PUT WATER ON TERRI'S LIPS.
At this point, I don't think it's a question of whether Terri can recover. She is in fact dying now. Micahel Schiavo needs to do the right thing, divorce her, and let the parents have final custody.
How much coverage is the Schiavo case getting in Poland?
THIS IS LIFE!!!!!!!BE STRONG!!!!!Good G-D do will help!!!!!Thank you good America persons!!!!!THANK YOU GOOD AMERICA PERSON"Joshua Heldreth"!!!!!!Very good BE STRONG!!!!
I do have information news this is po polsku I do not want write po polsku many persons do not know Thank you"dfwgator"
He can't afford to allow an autopsy.
Steadfastness and loyalty, faithfulness and strength, so determined and unwavering all describe the Schindlers. I pray for the Lord to give them the strength to endure, and the strength to follow His will concerning any further dealings with MS. I pray for MS also, as I think he probably needs prayers worse than anyone I can think of in all this. God's will sometimes consists of correction.
Thank you
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.