DCF: Terri Schiavo Not Abused, Exploited

ABC/AP ^ | 4.16.05

[ambrose]

DCF: Terri Schiavo Not Abused, Exploited

State Agency: Terri Schiavo Was Not Abused or Exploited by Either Side of Her Family

By VICKIE CHACHERE

The Associated Press

Apr. 16, 2005 - State investigators found no evidence that Terri Schiavo had been abused or exploited by either side of her family, according to documents released by Florida's Department of Children and Families.

The agency investigated 89 complaints dating back to 2001, when Schiavo's feeding tube was removed for the first time and the legal battle surrounding her right-to-die case intensified.

The calls alleged that the brain-damaged woman was being mistreated by her husband and her parents for financial gain. One complaint alleged that Schiavo's parents were selling videos of her through a Web site; another said Schiavo's husband wasn't spending money intended for her rehabilitation.

But investigators said they found no evidence that either her husband or parents were exploiting her, and often noted in their records that they found Schiavo well cared for on their visits to her Pinellas Park hospice.

The agency released the records Friday under court order.

Schiavo, 41, died last month after her feeding tube was removed for the third time, ending a bitter court battle between her husband, Michael Schiavo, and parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, over whether she would have wanted to live in a vegetative state.

The repeated allegations of abuse were based partly on bone scans showing Terri Schiavo suffered fractures and statements she made to family and friends that she was unhappy in her marriage.

Schiavo's husband has denied harming his wife. His lawyer said the fractures resulted from osteoporosis caused by the woman's years of immobility and complications of her medication.

Robert Schindler declined to comment there on the release of the DCF documents. An attorney for Michael Schiavo did not immediately return calls.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures

[presently no screen name]

Everyone knows what was in their heart. Whatever is in a man's heart, so is he. Bringing her water that would never get to her - at least their hearts were right.

What's in others hearts - she's brain dead - let her go. If they wanted to look spiritual - let her go to her Jesus.
And all along she wasn't brain dead. NOW she is - she wasn't before. But her soul lives on and greer and his followers can never touch that. Although someone her did take a crack at her spirituality. Truly incredible.

Or they post - stop interfering w/family matters, Now the government is getting involved - I don't want that for me, my neighbors stopped contributing, it was all about them - and everyone should stay away, or she got want she deserved, she married the wrong guy, what's wrong with those parents to let their children bring them water, that's abuse, or we don't know what she said to MS, she may have wanted to starve and dehydrate - and you don't know what God wants, what are you speaking for him now, etc., etc., all to make themselves feel better and try to persuade others on their point of view.

I'm just pointing out it shows the heart. That's what God looks at. What we wish for others, we just may get for ourself. We reap what we sow. And we should stand up against evil - not looking for someway to condone it.

Isn't it great what others think or feel here - doesn't change our life one iota - but what we/ourselves say, speak and feel about others - has a lasting effect.

Lastly, God doesn't demand anything. We can either follow His will or our free will. He gives us a free will to choose. Like our freedom comes at a price, so does our free will. At times, I'm not too thrilled about it - but that's the way it is.

Nice chatting w/you - the weekend went too fast and now back to the 9 to 5 grind!

[presently no screen name]

Thanks.

[EllaMinnow]

You may be too confused to understand, so I'll make this as simple as I can.

It his possible to believe that it was wrong for Terri Schiavo's feeding tube to be removed without at the same time believing that there was a massive coverup and conspiracy.

It is also possible to believe that the Schindlers' attorneys and spokesmen were incompetent and at the same time believe that George Felos is a creep of the highest order.

[texasbluebell]

So, I do wonder, are there varying levels of PVS?.

You might be interested to read this, there is a fairly new diagnosis which was not recognized until somewhat recently, called "minimal consciousness".

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43470

"Dr. Cheshire is the director of a laboratory at the Mayo Clinic branch in Jacksonville that deals with unconscious reflexes like digestion.

"Cheshire cited studies indicating a high rate of false initial diagnoses of PVS.

"Furthermore, the diagnosis of minimally conscious state had not yet become standard parlance in the field of neurology at the time of Terri's initial diagnosis," he wrote. "The minimally conscious state has emerged as a distinct diagnostic entity within the last few years."

[sirthomasthemore]

Earth,

Out of all of them, this Felos is a real creep.

After Terri died, he was on Larry King and he said: "Well now, at least, she's in a better place"-

THIS was the true measure of this idiot. He was TAUNTING all people of Faith, because obviously, he doesn't believe Terri's in a better place at all. This atheist believes she's now just part of the dirt whereever her ashes were spread.

The Lord willing, someone will catch up with this corrupt bunch down in Florida.

[texasbluebell]

Also from Dr. Cheshire:

"To enter the room of Terri Schiavo is nothing like entering the room of a patient who is comatose or brain-dead or in some neurological sense no longer there," he writes. "Although Terri did not demonstrate during our 90-minute visit compelling evidence of verbalization, conscious awareness, or volitional behavior, yet the visitor has the distinct sense of the presence of a living human being who seems at some level to be aware of some things around her."

[andysandmikesmom]

Thank you for the link...there were also links to other stories, one of which I am very interested in, so now, need to take time and read some of these articles...again, thanks..

[Earthdweller]

Geez thanks for answering my question in such a pleasant manner and so quickly at that. (/sarc)

When you talk about facts do you mean these kind of facts then don't you?

Carla Sauer Iyer, a nurse who cared for Terri in 1995 and 1996, said Terri has said "Mommy," "help me" and "pain."

Michael, Terri's husband, received $750,000 for Terri's care.

Michael deposited the money in bank, and then soon requested a "do not resuscitate" order. He refused treatment for infections and stimulation, and has not provided any therapy as promised.

Witnesses testified they heard Michael saying, "Has the bitch died yet?" "When is she going to die?"

Michael is engaged to a woman with whom he's had a baby and another is on the way.

Michael inherits all monies upon Terri's death. Michael has worked to starve and dehydrate Terri to death, repeatedly removing her feeding.

Michael refused to let them try to teach Terri how to swallow food before the feeding tube was taken out.

Michael refused communion for Terri after her feeding tube was taken out.

Michael requested Terri's body be cremated immediately upon her death.

George Felos, Michael's lead attorney, is an assisted suicide advocate.

Some 19 judges and 6 courts have been involved in the decade-long lawsuit.

Over 18 disability rights organizations have expressed support for Terri.

Dr. William Maxfield, a radiologist, said CD scans from 2002 show some brain damage but not the enormous loss of tissue described by others. He said, "People ought to know she can be rehabilitated."

Dr. William Hammesfahr, a neurologist, recognized national expert on persistent vegetative state and Nobel Prize nominee says Terri's eyes clearly fixate on her family and she tries to follow the simple commands her parents give her. "She looks at you, she can follow commands," he said.

Judge David Demers approved guardian Dr. Jay Wolfson for Terri who criticized "Terri's Law" designed to protect her life. Dr. Wolfson said, "If this law stands the constitutional test of the courts, then it certainly implies that the executive of our state has the prerogative of injecting the state in to your life, or your family member's life."

Michael filed a motion with the court to prevent Terri's bone scan from being presented.

Three nurses filed affidavits saying Michael has withheld proper medical care from Terri.

Terri's best friend, Diane Meyer, recalled they had just seen a television movie about Karen Ann Quinland. Terri, wondering how the doctors and lawyers could possibly know what Quinland was really feeling or what she would want, said, "Where there's life, there's hope."

[texasbluebell]

You're welcome. Yes, lots of link on that article.

[cyncooper]

Exactly.

It is also possible to point out that article indicates that the 89 complaints were directed to the Schindlers as well without that meaning the person pointing out this fact is nominating Michael Schiavo as person of the year.

[presently no screen name]

You drop negative one-liners and run. what am I obsessed about?

Stalking?
Please explain - not a charge I take lightly.

From what I have seen and heard - you are obsessed with your own intimination practices. Accusing others of stalking is not approved of here; you know that and yet you do it.

[cyncooper]

Geez thanks for answering my question in such a pleasant manner and so quickly at that. (/sarc)

Let's see...

You address a malicious post after malicious post to me and you're going to complain because I'm not addressing you like I'm your friend.

There is no point in addressing your little list to me except to note that you are continuing to try and purvey lies about me via this latest ploy.

Stop it.

[cyncooper]

Does your post have some message that you felt obligated to put fingers to keyboard?

How inane.

[Earthdweller]

"It his possible to believe that it was wrong for Terri Schiavo's feeding tube to be removed without at the same time believing that there was a massive coverup and conspiracy."

Of course..the laws left enough room for everyone to kill her out in the open with only a little "cooking of the medical books"..but then again things like cooking the books don't ever happen in America do they? :)

"It is also possible to believe that the Schindlers' attorneys and spokesmen were incompetent and at the same time believe that George Felos is a creep of the highest order."

Yes.

[cyncooper]

From what I have seen and heard

And a common gossip are you? What a surprise!

Not

LOL

[Earthdweller]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh did you say something about being my friend? Gotcha :)~

[joesbucks]

That is Mr. Dean's perogative. I'm not inviting him doing that to me. I also noticed that you post 647 was deleted. Someone else or a mod did. I did not request to have it deleted. I don't engage in those games.

[presently no screen name]

Great synopsis.

[joesbucks]

And that's all I'm trying to determine. Where you stand on self directed medial situations where the expectations are dire. And a feeding tube is artifical feeding. It is not natural feeding.

Why do you limit it to a feeding tube? What about a respirator in PVS situations?

Now I respect your view on euthanasia. Please, don't use words like ever slidign agenda. That's not what I'm advocating and you know it.

[Earthdweller]

Glad to hear you won't take screamin' Howie up on any offers. :)