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.

[supercat]

Terri Schiavo suffered severe, irreversible brain damage that left that organ discolored and scarred, shriveled to half its normal size, and damaged in nearly all its regions, including the one responsible for vision, according to an autopsy report.

Thirteen days of dehydration will do that.

[fabriclady]

My Mother told me many times "what goes around, comes around"
He may be in for a horriable life. My opinion, he ask for it.

[Lovergirl]

Good! I will relish in MS misery. No one deserves it more then him.

[Nova]

"I do remember though that Sean Hannity offered Michael a million dollars to give up custody, and Michael refused. So that might give Michael some brownie points in that argument."

Now that is definitely pushing it. Talk about weak. You're not going to have much luck here with that argument.

[retMD]

Terri Schiavo suffered severe, irreversible brain damage that left that organ discolored and scarred, shriveled to half its normal size, and damaged in nearly all its regions, including the one responsible for vision, according to an autopsy report.

Thirteen days of dehydration will do that.

No, it won't.

[BagelFace]

Thirteen days of dehydration will do that.

Actually no, it won't.

[Edward Watson]

I supported Michael during this whole fracas last year and got repeatedly flamed on this forum for it. The moderators even suspended my account for a while because I wouldn't desist reiterating my stance. Why? Because I knew what he was going through since my own wife died from cancer after suffering terribly for three years. I signed a DNR order and overruled the objections of her family who wanted to keep her on life support. To this day, I'm the devil incarnate to them because I didn't want to see my wife kept alive by machines with no hope of recovery and in constant pain.

The autopsy proved Michael was right all along. Terri's brain couldn't process hearing, vision, or thought. IOW, Terri had NO cognitive ability and a few minutes of video out of dozens and dozens of hours of recordings that gives the impression of rationality doesn't change the fact of the autopsy. Her parents had their own agenda in releasing those snippets of video - and it's obvious you were one of those duped by them.

It is unfortunate conservatives have let this issue divide us - but the blame firmly rests on those who gullibly believed the wild claims of Terri's parents, family, and lawyer (e.g., I'll never forget their lawyer's claim Terri was trying to say, "I want to live!" to them).

Discontinuing an artificial sustaining of body that has no hope of recovery is not the same as murdering someone. It happens every single day in emergency rooms around the world. They withdrew something artificial; they didn't smother her with a pillow or inject her with cyanide. There's a big difference.

I held my wife's hand as she died after doctors discontinued treatments. I didn't strangle her or stab her; we merely discontinued artificially sustaining her when all hope was gone. I loved her immensely and to this day the pain of her loss is palpable after all these years.

Make no mistake - I'm a conservative Christian and will always be so. But I simply will not tolerate those who intentionally deceive or manipulate others for their own agendas whether they're my fellow conservatives or liberals who will destroy our great nations if given a chance.

[Triggerhippie]

Fortunately for me, I never had to make such a decision on his behalf, but I have utmost empathy for the people who do have to make decisions like that.

As a conservative, I find it hard to have empathy for a man who shacks up and has kids with another woman while his wife is in a "PVS." Especially when the SOB uses her rehab money to help his new "family."

It is distressing to see how many people can rationalize their way around this fairly clear-cut travesty. I suppose I'm just not "nuanced" enough...

[oldenuff2no]

If I made that promise to my wife, I would keep it "NO MATTER WHAT!!!!"
Why should the media pimps who made millions off of this story have any say in the matter? If you want to know who the real story Whores are in this stop and take a look at who made all the money.
The media made all that money you are talking about. They had to start a new rumor and make up a new lie every week to keep it on the front page and as the main topic for all the talk radio motor mouths.
This was a personal matter between a man and his wife. It was in front of a judge 6 different times. The judge appointed an attorney to represent Terry and her interests and even that attorney agreed with Michael. Get over yourselves. You do not have the right to impose your beliefs on anyone. I hope that God never puts any of those self riotous people in the position of having to make that impossible decision. I've been in the position of having to keep one of those promises and it isn't easy. If you had the promise of your husband or wife not to keep your body alive if you were in that condition what would you expect them to do? I will expect my wife to keep that promise and I do not want others trying to make that decision for her. I have already made it just like Terry did.

[BagelFace]

Excellent - I'm glad you said it. No one could have said it better (for obvious reasons). I hope rational people can see the awesome profound sense of honor and love in your actions and words.

[Edward Watson]

Ummm, sorry, I disagree.

I loved my late wife with everything I have. I've repeatedly extended my hands in friendship to her family since her death but to them I'm the devil because I signed a DNR order that prohibited them from forcing the doctors to resuscitate my wife. They've said terrible things against me and have even abused my second wife whom I met long after the funeral of my first and have even tried to brainwash my children against their stepmother whenever they visit the in-laws. I'm just happy my kids aren't so gullible because they know their step-mom is a wonderful woman who loves them and treats them like they were her own.

I'm striven to be civil to my late wife's family and have never badmouthed them to my children but it's really hard given the hatred of my first in-laws.

If I was Michael, with all the demonizations, lawsuits, media claims, and threats all originating from Terri's family, I would be mighty pissed at them also.

[Triggerhippie]

This was a personal matter between a man and his wife.

Which one of his wives?

If you had the promise of your husband or wife not to keep your body alive if you were in that condition what would you expect them to do? I will expect my wife to keep that promise and I do not want others trying to make that decision for her. I have already made it just like Terry did.

The only problem here is that no one recalls hearing TS say anything about that except her "husband" who had already started a new life (and family) with TS's rehab money.

[billbears]

Any questions...?

Yes. Where did you get that pic? I am a fan of fantasy art. Would like to see if I could get a print of it.

[candeee]

Is your memory failing you or are you just making this up?

[supercat]

So that might give Michael some brownie points in that argument.

Not in my book. To me it suggests that letting Terri go would have exposed criminal activity Michael had to keep secret.

[Salvation]

Euthanasia always has been and always will be murder.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Euthanasia

2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

2279 Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Death Dealer III, by Frank Frazetta.

[Triggerhippie]

They withdrew something artificial

Food and water are now artificial? When the Chinese murder infants like this, we civilized Westerners frown on it. Mainly because it is inhumane and WRONG.

Don't take my word for it, try going "all natural" for a few weeks. Report back to us about how "peaceful" you looked.

[hodaka]

There has been several stories that it was the Sheindlers that encouraged Michael to start dating.

[retMD]

Is your memory failing you or are you just making this up?

As far as I know, neither. To what are you referring? Or would you care to link to medical information that shows my error?