The Forum: If Terri Dies, Who is Safe?

Catholic World News ^ | 3/28/05 | Phil Lawler

[Cecily]

So far I have seen Scott, Brian, and Michael Schiavo speaking on television. All three come across as not particularly bright, bullying SOB's. The lawyer Felos is a unatic, if his book is any indication. The judge is likely a petty, corrupt little man on a power trip. Michael's shack-up Jodi is likely either as venal and heartless a witch (but spelled with a "B") as there ever was, or a doormat completely cowed by bully Michael.

Poor Terri. Lord, why can't she and her parents prevail? Why must Michael and the cloud of evil around him win?

[ex 98C MI Dude]

No, this is the first time that a person who is not otherwise dying has been removed from a feeding tube that most people are aware of. What ailment does she have that would cause the end of her life? She is not being treated for any disease, or any defect that is getting worse, threatening to end her life. The only reason she is dying now is because she is not getting any food or water. That would be true of any other person on the planet.

If medicine advocates starving/dehydrating its patients, then the Hippocratic Oath is dead. First, do no harm.

She is not brain dead. She is brain damaged. There is a difference. This case has just legalized the killing of minimally conscious citizens, on the idea that they would not want to live.

[dwilli]

She had no ability to consume solid food. How do you
opine she was been fed?

[newgeezer]

Uh, okay. Thanks(?).

[UCANSEE2]

Terri is already dead.

Here is a washcloth from Pontius Pilate. You might want to wash your hands. So you can, you know, go on.

[inquest]

She was being fed through a feeding tube, not an IV. Big, big difference, because a feeding tube is much lower-maintenance. And her husband refused to allow any swallowing evaluations to see if she had the ability to at least drink liquids without the need for such a tube.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

Several nurses have sworn statements saying that they have fed Terri jello, chocolate pudding, and with liquified food from a bottle.

They have been called liars by people who weren't there, and have never actually seen Terri.

And some here believe those who weren't witnesses to these events, rather than face the fact we are starving an woman innocent of any crime to death.

Remember, the CDC released a report saying 120,000 people per year die from medical mistakes. Terri Shindler-Schiavo is one of them.

[dwilli]

So it's artificial nourishment rather than intravenous.
Has she eaten orally since her collapse? Don't you suppose
that nursing staff have at least tried ice cream or baby
food in 16 years?

[monkeywrench]

"Absolutely. In fact, I'm certain I prefer death to anything this world has to offer. But, my time isn't up yet."

Never mind. By this quote I can see you won't mind when the decision is made for you. Like it is in holland. That's what the international groups want for us too. This Terri case, of taking someone who was not terminally ill, and terminating her is the start.

[dwilli]

Have her parents said they have tried solid food
in 16 years? Did it succeed?

[inquest]

Absolutely. In fact, I'm certain I prefer death to anything this world has to offer. But, my time isn't up yet.

Well, sorry for saying so, but this really isn't the thread to be talking about generic death wishes.

I know, it's not my place to be telling you what to post and where, and normally I wouldn't be so nitpicky on most threads regarding other subjects, but this one's kinda serious.

[Aquinasfan]

But with the Schiavo case, the "right to die" movement recognized the opportunity to skip over several intermediary steps, to score a major legal and political coup. If the courts would authorize the starvation of this woman, and if the public would accept it, the entire debate would shift in favor of euthanasia. If Terri Schiavo can be starved to death simply because her life has been judged burdensome, then every person who is disabled, retarded, or senile becomes a candidate for similar treatment. The key precedent will have been set; the principled opposition to "mercy killing" will be thoroughly undermined.

This is right on the money.

It's open season on anyone on life support. Legal starvation of the inconvenient is in play. And we've taken the second step toward legalized infanticide.

[najida]

I believe (as far as I can remember) they have been forbidden to offer her anything by mouth.

Which is interesting, because you are supposed to do swallow studies intermittently with tube feeders. BUT, since she has been in Hospice (forever) all the SOP's of long term care don't apply.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

Actually, they could not try solid food. Mike Schiavo was the one who decided whether or not a treatment(therapy) would be tried, and he said no.

And solid food can hardly be the standard. If that is the case, than an infant can be starved to death as well. It is something that has to be worked up to, and her 'husband' said no.

[Idisarthur]

" "

"I am."

Not quite.

[inquest]

So it's artificial nourishment rather than intravenous.

You could put it that way, I suppose, but it's hardly the same thing as being hooked up to a machine. You could feed a person through an NG tube just by manually pouring the nutrients into a funnel. Her parents have been more than willing to take care of her that way.

Has she eaten orally since her collapse? Don't you suppose that nursing staff have at least tried ice cream or baby food in 16 years?

I don't know the full details of her care. I only know that her husband has refused (formal) swallowing evaluations on her. What the nurses might have done off the side and off the record is anyone's guess.

[Idisarthur]

[Edgerunner]

You have COMPLETELY MISSED THE POINT!