Posted on 03/31/2005 7:11:48 AM PST by hinterlander
These last few weeks watching the Terri Schiavo story unfold have been very difficult for me, because every time I see a picture of Terri I am reminded of my brother.
Like Terri, my brother could not feed or take care of himself in any way. Like Terri, there were moments when he could react to someone's voice or presence. Like Terri, my brother did not have a living will. Like Terri, my family had to face the questions and even accusations that my brother's life was not worth the effort and expense.
The real question the accusers wanted to ask is, "What is the purpose in keeping him alive?"
This question makes sense only if the person asking the question cannot conceive that there is anything important beyond themselves. Through the distorted lens of selfishness and pride they define their lives with statements like "I accomplished this . . ." "I did that. . . " "I can do. . . " or "I want to do. . ." If a person can no longer do or get what he or she wants all purpose or meaning in their lives is therefore removed.
Without purpose or meaning, as defined by the accuser, how can a person really be a person anymore? Terri -- or my brother -- can't do anything, they are therefore purposeless and not people. It isn't murder to kill something that isn't a person, right?
At this point in their reasoning the accuser gets scared. Why? Because they know that it could just as easily have been them lying there in that bed. Whatever befell Terri or the sickness that afflicted my brother could have just as easily struck anyone. Can you now see how horrifying it must be to them, as they look on a broken helpless body in a hospital bed with no "purpose" and think, "That could be me!"
So they cover their fear by removing (killing) the object of their fear.
What they fail to see is that human existence is an accomplishment and purpose in itself. My brother never once spoke an intelligible word, but managed to acknowledging my presence. My brother never once lifted himself from his bed, but I learned the value of serving our fellow man as I lifted him up. My brother never fed himself, but I learned what it meant to feed those less fortunate. My brother often screamed in pain for hours at a time and as I held him I learned what it meant to bear another's burdens.
In short, my brother taught me what it means to serve, to sacrifice and to love. He taught me what purpose in life is. And it wasn't just me he taught. I know at least seven other people, brothers, sisters and parents who learned the same lesson. How many walking, talking, self-feeding people can say that their mere existence has affected even one person, for the better, in such a profound way?
It doesn't take a genius to see that Terri's parents and family have learned what I have about the purpose of life. My brother has since passed way after 19 years of a "purposeless" existence and I miss him greatly.
As you read, this Terri has starved to death because a judge decided to believe the hearsay of an unfaithful husband, and because others in power lack the courage to act to save an innocent life.
Judge Greer, Micheal Schiavo and gang, I have one question for you. "Would you have killed my brother too?"
He would kill anyone he wants dead because their life is (in his opinion) useless.
He is a Nazi judge.
Pinellas county, Florida subhuman murderer Judgenfuhrer Greer:
"Tonight begins Holocaust Remembrance Month.
Never forget that we Judges in Florida --who rule you and let you live at our convenience--
celebrate Holocaust Remembrance Month our public starvation murder of a young handicapped woman.
Now that America is finished in the eyes of the World thanks to me and my black-robed Mullahs
you WILL serve us, and then quietly die when we have all your money or need your organs."
Can you add janet the butcher reno and the slug of slugs clinton to that picture?
My cousin is severely mentally retarded. He cannot walk, talk, or feed himself. After his father, my uncle, has passed on, I wonder who will protect my cousin and people like him. How frightening. We can only hope the next generation of leaders will clean up the mess created by leftism.
I hope to live long enough to see those bastards Greer, Felos and Schiavo hooked up to respirators or feeding tubes. I predict that all three of them will die horribly because of the conspiracy they carried out. May the bastards broil in Hell.
Did the legal guardian wish to terminate your brother's life?
Whether he would have her sedated, or smothered by a pillow is the only question remaining. I think he would have her sedated, as the pillow would seem too violent and undignified. Now if she did all this with only Mike in the room, we can speculate about what Mike would do.
Obviously, this author has not heard that the functions listed below now are to be performed by the state.
"In short, my brother taught me what it means to serve, to sacrifice and to love. He taught me what purpose in life is. And it wasn't just me he taught. I know at least seven other people, brothers, sisters and parents who learned the same lesson. How many walking, talking, self-feeding people can say that their mere existence has affected even one person, for the better, in such a profound way? "
BUMP
This Schiavo case has hit me hard, too. I have a younger brother with Trisome 9, a rare handicap. He's 24 with a 2 1/2 year old's mentality. He can't speak, but he makes plenty of noise. :) My parents have to change his diapers. He can feed himself, but my parents have to make his meals. He knows a few signs, so he can let my parents what he wants. But he would fall under the category of "non-person" by wacky pro-deathers. He doesn't contribute to society, but he does go to a special state-run school for handicapped people.
My parents have to get respite care for him when they want to go on vacation. They can't just hop in the car and get away for a weekend. For 24 years he's been a "burden" on my parents. Should a judge sentence him to death, too? After all, wouldn't my parents be freer if my brother were gone? And yet, like the writer of this article, having a handicapped child in my family has taught me that everyone, no matter their mental state, is special and has a purpose. They teach us patience, love, tolerance, selflessness. God loves ALL His children, not just the "healthy" and "normal" ones. I happen to believe that there is a special place in Heaven reserved for these special people.
I believe that when Terri returns Home to God, He'll be there to welcome her with open arms. Then she can be at peace forever. I don't know that the same can be said for that cheating husband and callous judge.
I'm sure their place in Hell has already been reserved and there's room for all the others that played a part in this outrage. Meanwhile, Liberals are licking their lips and patting each other on the back--they think they've put one over on us. The MSM will have a gleeful day.
No sir, we can only hope and pray that men will find the courage to stand up and be counted on to keep their kin safe. My sons have been raised to put my wife, myself, thier wives and kids ahead of ...
God, family, country, and then way down the list comes judges orders.If your family feels any other way, than my prayers are with your cousin, may he not suffer, may they be right who claim that there is no suffering in being starved to death, for I fear that if left to the winds of government, with no males in his family to protect him, he is in much trouble.
OPublisher, Chiristian-news-in-0maine.com
thank you for posting this.
thanks for posting that, Luna -- hugs to you.
michael interview in which he says terri wouldn't want to be a burden on anyone. she was in no way a burden on her family that they were unwilling to carry. he could certainly have gone his own way if she was a burden to him, as indeed he did.
thing is, the world is full of people who are apparently unable to understand what others with disabled family members tell us (as we see above as well as in other places): that it is NOT a burden, but rather a blessing.
in mourning.... more than for Terri, for the death of decency and compassion.
Desmond Morris once called man 'A rational animal'
Man, at least those who kill their fellow man for their own agrandizement, are merely 'rationalizing animals' of the lowest order. imo
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