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.

[Triggerhippie]

Did they encourage him to spend his wife's rehab money on his dates too?

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

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

Links...?

[hodaka]

Nova, maybe I am not reading your response right since I have a couple of beers in my system, but how was my post weak about Sean offering a million dollars to release custody of Teri? Several people have been making the argument that Michael was in it for the money. And if this is the case, you would think that Michael would have taken the money and run.

[retMD]

I remember reading that, too, in the Guardian Ad Litem's (Jay Wolfson) report.

[jackibutterfly]

Edward - there's only one difference - TERRI WASN'T DYING!!!!

[hodaka]

I don't know I believe the lawyer's ended up with all the money. Like always.

[hodaka]

And how long was she in a coma. And do you think if there was any criminal activity it would have come up in court during the lawsuit. I would guess that the insurance companies would have done their best to fight any responsibilty, like they usually do.

[supercat]

Thirteen days of dehydration will do that.

Actually no, it won't.

It's possible to determine that significant damage occurred prior to dehydration, but it's not possible to tell how much functionality remained. Further, no type of mere structural examination (whether CT scan, MRI, or autopsy) can reliably ascertain a patient's clinical condition. There are people who can walk and talk whose CT scans would suggest that they couldn't possibly be alive (and yet they are).

Brains are very weird and interesting things. Although there generally seem to be limits to an adult brain's ability to route around problems, for many perceived limits there are cases that exceed them.

[freedumb2003]

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.

My FRiend, please accept my condolences on your loss. Many on this board would rip the legal right for you to determine the proper and dignified course of your dearly departed and give it to a judge. And hand that decision to the parents who have zero legal standing.

But niceties like legal guardianship (or the law in general) mean nothing to many here. I support your difficult decision and wish you and your new wife all the best. I am 100% sure your departed wants you and yours to be happy. Your job (IMHO) is to be so and to raise happy and healthy children.

FWIIW: You should keep yourself and your children away from toxic people, no matter the relationship.

[freedumb2003]

Edward - there's only one difference - TERRI WASN'T DYING!!!!

You are right. She was (brain) dead.

[jackibutterfly]

No, she wasn't. If she was, how could she laugh at her father joking around with her? I saw the video, and she LAUGHED when he was teasing her. If you want, I can send you the link.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

I remember reading that, too, in the Guardian Ad Litem's (Jay Wolfson) report.

Again: links, please...?

[supercat]

And how long was she in a coma.

A few weeks.

And do you think if there was any criminal activity it would have come up in court during the lawsuit.

Much of the criminal activity I suspect would have happened after Michael won the money.

I would guess that the insurance companies would have done their best to fight any responsibilty, like they usually do.

Terri's parents could have sunk the malpractice lawsuit if they'd brought up Michael's abusive behavior. Had they done so, Terri might well be alive today. But they thought that if Michael won the malpractice money it would be used to provide better care for their daughter.

[supercat]

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

The Schindlers probably believed that if Michael found someone else he would divorce Terri.

[retMD]

I remember reading that, too, in the Guardian Ad Litem's (Jay Wolfson) report.

Again: links, please...?

The GAL report. Search within the page for "dating" and you'll find it.

[supercat]

But niceties like legal guardianship (or the law in general) mean nothing to many here.

Guardianship law means a lot more to people here than it does to Judge Greer. Once Michael declared his intention to marry Jodi Centonze, that made quite apparent and undeniable a craven interest in Terri's death which would outweigh any claimed legitimate interest he might have therein. As such, he was no longer legally entitled to be Terri's guardian.

Terri's parents filed in September of 2002 to remove Michael as guardian. When scheduling the hearing after Terri's second scheduled execution attempt proved insufficient, Judge Greer granted a continuance. When that proved insufficient, Michael simply refused to show up at the hearing. Because Greer somehow failed to give Michael official written notice of the hearing (never mind that he clearly knew about it) he declined to hold Michael in contempt and instead rescheduled the hearing well into the future. When that proved insufficient, he granted another continuance. And when Michael again failed to show up, "Oops... no proper notice. Sorry about that."

It was illegal for Michael to continue to act as Terri's guardian after declaring his engagement to Ms. Centonze. People here were wanting Judge Greer to follow the law.

[BagelFace]

I agree that there are exceptions to almost every rule, but the permanence of her condition is unquestionable. As to "functionality" as you say, I think 15 years' clinical experience with Terri, together with the autopsy report and the clinical judgement of most experts,... overwhelming for those who can see it. I can't say that I'd do everything that MS did, but personally I'd feel much worse keeping her "alive" artificially in her condition than allowing her to pass. I'm sorry to say again that the dehydration argument doesn't wash, nor does it change meaningfully anything I have said.

[hodaka]

Supercat, she had been a vegatative state for several years, not a few weeks. I guess we can start playing word games on coma and vegatative state, but overall she was brain damaged, like Bill Mahr. And to argue that the criminal activity took place after the trial is flawed at best.

[Miss Behave]

Bump that, supercat.

And Terri's *wishes* to be dehydrated to death were nothing more than H E A R S A Y, suddenly *remembered* and first spoken of by *hubby* S E V E N years later.

He's one sick b-tard.

[freedumb2003]

Guardianship law means a lot more to people here than it does to Judge Greer. Once Michael declared his intention to marry Jodi Centonze, that made quite apparent and undeniable a craven interest in Terri's death which would outweigh any claimed legitimate interest he might have therein. As such, he was no longer legally entitled to be Terri's guardian.

OK, I have heard this urban myth too many times. Please post the relevant EXACT statute that says this.

Terri's parents filed in September of 2002 to remove Michael as guardian. When scheduling the hearing after Terri's second scheduled execution attempt proved insufficient, Judge Greer granted a continuance. When that proved insufficient, Michael simply refused to show up at the hearing. Because Greer somehow failed to give Michael official written notice of the hearing (never mind that he clearly knew about it) he declined to hold Michael in contempt and instead rescheduled the hearing well into the future. When that proved insufficient, he granted another continuance. And when Michael again failed to show up, "Oops... no proper notice. Sorry about that."

Yes, well, proper notice is such a silly legal nicety. I think I will sue you, ask the newspaper to mention it, then not get around to actually serving you. When you don't show, I'll ask the judge to hold you in contempt for not being there when I wanted you to be.

Are you a lawyer? I really hope not.

It was illegal for Michael to continue to act as Terri's guardian after declaring his engagement to Ms. Centonze. People here were wanting Judge Greer to follow the law.

Again, what law? FR opinion isn't "law." He was the legal guardian. It takes a HECK OF A LOT of legal momentum to overcome stare decisis.