Michael Schiavo's side of the story [sicko' barf-ola ALERT]

MSNBC ^ | 3/27/06 | Matt Lauer

[XR7]

CLEARWATER, FLA. - Michael Schiavo...has decided to tell his side of the story...

Schiavo invited us to his home in Clearwater, Florida to talk...It’s all in his new book “Terri the Truth.”

Matt Lauer: I guess you could’ve written a book to honor Terri. After reading it, it’s not really the book you wrote. This is a book that in some ways settles some scores, doesn’t it?

Michael Schiavo: Oh yes, it does.

Lauer: You did think about writing that honoring Terri book?

Michael Schiavo: Oh yes, many times. This book does honor Terri in a way. It sets her free. It tells the truth...

Lauer: You were her first date.

Schiavo: Uh-huh.

Lauer: You were her first kiss.

Schiavo: Uh-huh.....

But the medical examiner was skeptical...and could not conclusively determine just what caused her collapse 16 years ago.

Lauer (at Terri Schiavo’s grave site): How often do you come to her grave?

Schiavo: I try to get out here at least two or three times a month. I drive by a lot though.

On this day, approaching the one year anniversary of Terri's death, someone had left a crucifix by her grave, a grave marked with three dates: her birth date, the date of her collapse, and her death, with a final note from Michael: "I kept my promise."

Lauer: Why was it so important to put that in there?

Schiavo: It was from me to her — it had nothing to do with anybody else. It was very important for me.

Lauer: Do you ever come here Michael and wonder how she feels about this promise, so many years afterwards? Do you think it was it as important to her as it was to you?

Schiavo: Definitely, definitely. She's up there praising me right now… and saying thank you.

[hodaka]

I would have a hard time being nice to my in-laws if they would continue to go on national tv and radio and say that I was responsible for her current condition, and saying that I wanted her dead because if she came out of her condition she would say I was responsible.

[Shelayne]

You know if all I had to go by was the autopsy, I might be inclined to agree with you. But I saw the videos. Not just the video of her mom kissing her, and her face lighting up; and not just the one with the balloon, but the "big eyes" video. That one the media didn't show very much and never the whole thing because it shows without a doubt that Terri could HEAR and react. It was not just twitches and involuntary reflexes. The doctor tells her, "Terri, open your eyes. Can you open your eyes for me?" He repeats it several times, and you can see her struggling to open her eyes. Then finally not only does she turn her face toward the doctor and lean in to him, but she opens her eyes widely. When he says, "That's it" She opens her eyes even wider right in his face and raises her eyebrows. And the doctor laughs, "Good Girl."

Now tell me that was the action of someone who was brain dead. And someone who fights as hard as she did to stay alive, wanted to live. The thing is-- we just do not know enough about the human brain to make such definitive conclusions. There were several doctors that said she may have responded to therapy, but we will never know. Maybe she would have, maybe she wouldn't have. Michael certainly did not give her that option.

I don't believe a word that Michael Schiavo says. The way he has portrayed Bob and Mary Schindler as out for Terri's money is just despicable. They wanted the money that was in trust for her care to be USED FOR HER CARE. He wouldn't even let her teeth be cleaned.

He also said that he had no plans to marry his long-time girlfriend when he was trying to yank Terri's feeding tube, but there he was on "Dateline" with his NEW wife.

He makes me sick.

I have to say that Matt Lauer surprised me a little on this, he wasn't too easy on him. I was expecting a fluff interview, but Matt kind of cornered him on a couple of items and Michael did not like it. He has that look of smugness and contempt that I just want to throw things at the TV when he is on. (Of course, he didn't get the grilling that I would have given him, but what do I expect from the MSM?)

Remarkably, I didn't break anything. God bless the Schindler family and carry them in their continued grief.

[hodaka]

The donor list from the Neal Boortz show and some other talk shows and blogs. Sean Hannity admitted that he asked Furman to investigate and also had Furman on his show to promote his book on his investigation.

[A Citizen Reporter]

I know I would not want to be in her condition and would trust my wife to not let me sufer.

And that's what this case is all about isn't it? People projecting their own personal issues onto Terri Shiavo.

Well, I know I would rather not die by dehydration and starvation.

[candeee]

You believe wrong - the autopsy did not prove she was in "a vegetative state." The M.E. reported that pvs is a clinical observation - one he couldn't observe on a dead person. Terri was dehydrated to death - that makes her autopsy rather subjective as to the shrinkage the dehydration caused to her brain. That's nice that you would not want to be in her condition (you probably mean before her barbaric murder by dehydration); but, that hasn't squiddly to do with what she wanted.

[dennisw]

He looks sick. Being a sick bastard is one thing but to kill your wife is another

[Wheee The People]

I know I would not want to be in her condition and would trust my wife to not let me sufer.

I agree. But you can't say that here.

[Rummyfan]

What does he mean 'his turn to talk'? Terri never had a chance to talk and now she never will. He's a bastard!

[dennisw]

Notice the Clinton-esque eyes..... on serious meds

[retMD]

You know if all I had to go by was the autopsy, I might be inclined to agree with you. But I saw the videos.

I doubt at this point anyone will change their mind, but I have to say it anyway. There are many random motions patients may make during a persistent vegetative state. If you tape 8 hours of random motions, you very likely can edit out 20 to 30 minutes that look purposeful.

People for a long time were citing the balloon video as proof of her reactions. The autopsy proved that false, as she was cortically blind, and could not have been deliberately tracking the video. The other bits are the same, edited out of hours of random motions.

[hodaka]

I guess you are in the medical profession.

[bvw]

Yes, yes. Believe that. Be comfy. Go comfy to your grave in your old age. Dr. Comfortable, MD. An easy and comfortable life you should have. Should have. Yes indeed.

[hodaka]

I guess if I was brain dead it would not bother me how my life was ended. In a perfect world they would give me a shot like the vet would give my dog or cat when they can no longer continue. I guess that should be another topic in the future.

[manwiththehands]

I read somewhere that a person's brain slowly turns to 'mush' while they are dying of dehydration.

But but but but but but he had so much "compassion" for Terri, didn't he?

[dennisw]

Who gives a shit about your medical diagnosis. Her family wanted to take care of her and her alleged husband had been shacked up for years with another woman. He should have let go and let them take care of her

[A Citizen Reporter]

In a perfect world they would give me a shot like the vet

Forget I replied to you. You aren't worth my time.

Soylent Green.

[hodaka]

Nova, did you think I was making that stuff up?

[Nova]

"saying that I wanted her dead because if she came out of her condition she would say I was responsible."

Well, that's where it gets even more difficult for me to believe him. If I were the subject of such accusations; I would be even more likely to allow her to live for some more time simply to demonstrate my innocence.

But, for me, if I loved Terri as much as he claims, I could not hate her parents so completely as he clearly does simply because they were being irrational and hateful towards me.

[Nova]

"Nova, did you think I was making that stuff up?"

If I thought that - I would say it. I thought you heard those stories somewhere - and I was interested as to where you heard them. As such, I asked you where you heard them.

If I think you're full of it, you don't need to worry that I won't tell you.

[hodaka]

Wow, what a tremendous wit you show.