Terri's Story

Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation ^ | December 3,2006 | Schindler Foundation

[8mmMauser]

Theresa Marie Schindler was born to Robert and Mary Schindler on December 3, 1963. She was the first of three children the Schindlers would have.

Terri was a shy, but comical, child who had an affinity for music, animals and the arts. She kept a small circle of friends and was dear to schoolmates, neighboring families and her own extended family.

Following high school, Terri came into her own. She developed a knack for sketching and doodling. She enjoyed outings with her friends. She was an adoptive mother to the family’s dog, Bucky.

Terri attended Catholic School while growing up and remained close to her faith throughout her life.

In 1983, Terri met Michael Schiavo at Bucks County Community College and the two began dating. He was the first romantic interest Terri had.

The couple was engaged within a few months and married a year later at Terri’s church in Southampton, Pa. She was 21.

In 1986, Terri and Michael relocated to Pinellas County, Florida and her parents followed three months later.

In 1990, at the age of 26, Terri suffered a mysterious cardio-respiratory arrest for which no cause has ever been determined. She was diagnosed with hypoxic encephalopathy – neurological injury caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Terri was placed on a ventilator, but was soon able to breathe on her own and maintain vital function. She remained in a severely compromised neurological state and was provided a PEG tube to ensure the safe delivery of nourishment and hydration.

On March 31, 2005, Terri Schindler Schiavo died of marked dehydration following more than 13 days without nutrition or hydration under the order of Circuit Court Judge, George W. Greer of the Pinellas-Pasco’s Sixth Judicial Court. Terri was 41.

[8mmMauser]

Ping to a new thread I started, this one about Michael...

I don't know about anyone else, but I am still waiting for Michael Schiavo to make a correction on his blog about what "actually" took place in Colorado when he went there (to the debate) to supposedly ask Congresswoman Musgrave one question and she and her staff supposedly tried to have him removed. He called it, "My unreal night in Colorado - with radio link" (Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 08:05:14 PM PST). I'll say (from what I read) that it was his "unreal night".

Still Waiting

8mm

[8mmMauser]

Thanks for your link!

8mm

[expatguy]

You are welcome. Feel free to pass it around.

[Dante3]

Michael is a sociopath and for them lying comes easy.

[T'wit]

"Clinical traits of a sociopath"

1. SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, and slick. Not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. He never gets tongue-tied and has freed himself from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.

2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. An arrogant guy who believes he is a superior human being.

3. NEED FOR STIMULATION (PRONENESS TO BOREDOM) -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Often has low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because he gets bored easily.

4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, and will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever (in extreme form, he will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest).

5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS -- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.

6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.

7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.

8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.

9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.

10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.

11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.

12. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.

13. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.

14. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.

15. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

16. MANY SHORT-TERM RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.

17. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

18. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- A diversity of types of criminal offenses (regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them); taking great pride at getting away with crimes.

-- -- -- -- --

Read more here: “The "Secret Reason" Why Women Are Attracted To Jerks, Players and Just Plain Dangerously Wrong Guys.”

[T'wit]

Ping to #1905.

[BykrBayb]

Mikey has displayed every one of those characteristics.

[BykrBayb]

That is an excellent essay. It's been quite a while since I read it. Thanks for posting the link for us again.

[T'wit]

Clinical Symptoms for an Antisocial Personality Disorder Diagnosis

1. Failure to conform to social norms; 2. Deceitfulness, manipulativeness; 3. Impulsivity, failure to plan ahead; 4. Irritability, aggressiveness; 5. Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others; 6. Consistent irresponsibility; 7. Lack of remorse after having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another person

Sociopathy is chiefly characterized by something wrong with the person's conscience. They either don't have one, it's full of holes like Swiss cheese, or they are somehow able to completely neutralize or negate any sense of conscience or future time perspective. Sociopaths only care about fulfilling their own needs and desires - selfishness and egocentricity to the extreme. Everything and everybody else is mentally twisted around in their minds as objects to be used in fulfilling their own needs and desires. They often believe they are doing something good for society, or at least nothing that bad.

The term "sociopath" is frequently used by psychologists and sociologists alike in referring to persons whose unsocialized character is due primarily to parental failures (usually fatherlessness) rather than an inherent feature of temperament. Lykken (1995), for example, clearly distinguishes between the sociopath (who is socialized into becoming a psychopath) and a "true" psychopath (who is born that way). However, this may only describe the "common sociopath", as there are at least four (4) different subtypes -- common, alienated, aggressive, and dyssocial. Commons are characterized mostly by their lack of conscience; the alienated by their inability to love or be loved; aggressives by a consistent sadistic streak; and dyssocials by an ability to abide by gang rules, as long as those rules are the wrong rules. As Stout (2005) indicates, it only takes three of the following to be defined as a sociopath, and some common sociopathic traits include:

List of Common Sociopathic Traits: Egocentricity; Callousness; Impulsivity; Conscience defect; Exaggerated sexuality; Excessive boasting; Risk taking; Inability to resist temptation; Antagonistic, deprecating attitude toward the opposite sex; Lack of interest in bonding with a mate.

-- -- -- -- --

ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY, SOCIOPATHY, AND PSYCHOPATHY

Michael: common-aggressive. Bill Clinton: common-alienated-dyssocial.

[T'wit]

I rated him as a match on the first sixteen but don't know the facts on the last two criteria (17, 18). According to the book, he only has to match three to be clinically diagnosed as sociopathic. Michael improves on that by a factor of five or more.

I keep wondering to myself what is WRONG with Jodi to be blind to this and to stay in denial about what happened to Terri. But Kiki Anniston explains it, using herself as an example, here: “The "Secret Reason" Why Women Are Attracted To Jerks, Players and Just Plain Dangerously Wrong Guys.”

[BykrBayb]

I think his violent fights with his brothers would qualify him for #17.

Terri was assaulted on numerous occasions, resulting in broken bones, oxygen deprivation, insulin overdose, etc. Her doctors were successfully sued, based on a fraudulent claim that they failed to diagnose an illness she never had. Her money from that suit was embezzled. She was murdered before an audience of millions. To me, that shows great versatility. Mikey has bragged about his success in pulling off her killing. When he was on Larry King, he bragged about having killed his own parents the same way. Yeah, I'd say he qualifies for #18.

[T'wit]

OK, you make a compelling case for #18, but I don't know if fighting with your equally porcine, violent brothers qualifies as juvenile delinquency. Tell you what. I'll give you a half score on that one, but if we ever come across so much as him owning a leather jacket, you win the point.

Where was their father?? The Schiavo boys walked all over daddy.

[T'wit]

I was reading this list of sociopathic traits last night and noticed that a number of these entries are simply childishness. The male who never grows up. The male who never takes moral responsibility in his adult life. And that, in turn, is the male who never had moral instruction from his dad. Fathers are supposed to teach their sons right from wrong, so sociopathic "adult delinquency" very often springs from fatherless families (or some with weak or dissolute fathers).

[Dante3]

Good description of a sociopath. Sure fits Michael.

[BykrBayb]

Not much posting, but plenty of praying going on. Been thinking about you a lot today.

[T'wit]

I'm reading a new book titled "We the Jury" about the Scott Peterson murder trial. It is written by seven members of the jury and a couple of professional writers.

I bought it with an eye to comparing Peterson's sociopathic traits to Michael Schiavo's. To do that, I have a printed list of the traits (#1905) and am checking them off as I read. Preliminary report -- about half of the traits checked off so far and lots of reading still to do. Michael has been in the spotlight for years whereas Scott Peterson was in the shadows and we know relatively little about him. But he's certainly showing up as that cocky, lying, promiscuous, manipulative, cold cold cold personality with no conscience.

If I'm not mistaken, some of our visitors were active in threads about Peterson and were convinced of his guilt. And that makes me wonder all the more why they side with Michael, a more obvious and much less appealing sociopath?

What's weirdest of all is that not one of them will even discuss the question whether Michael injured Terri in the first place. There is no other explanation on the table and he has no alibi. Why won't they even discuss it? Are they afraid that if they finally face the obvious, they will be seen as having been fools from the beginning?

It may happen anyway, whether they wash their hands first or not. If Michael confesses... if any of eight or ten people with critical information and guilty consciences were to break and spill some beans... the house of cards could come down just-like-that.

[BykrBayb]

If I'm not mistaken, some of our visitors were active in threads about Peterson and were convinced of his guilt. And that makes me wonder all the more why they side with Michael, a more obvious and much less appealing sociopath?

You're not mistaken. But how many people ever intend to bludgeon somebody and dump their corpse in the water? Now, how many people intend to (or already have) starve and dehydrate somebody to death? Wouldn't it be convenient for them if their M.O. was not only legally sanctioned, but legally required?

[BykrBayb]

The desire to exterminate "useless eaters" does not exist in a vacuum. It is a whole attitude. A way of looking at the world.

I'd like our visitors to take a look at something I came across last night. If you think this cabbie is a fool, and his fare a waste of oxygen, you need to look within yourself, and fix some serious problems. If you're moved by his story, examine how that may apply to other situations, for compassion doesn't exist in a vacuum either.

Story of a Cab Ride

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. Early one morning I was dispatched to a building at 2:30 a.m. When I arrived, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.

Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice,wait a minute, then drive away. But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door.

This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,"I'm tired. Let's go now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought.

For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

God won't ask:
God won't ask what kind of car you drove; He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

-author unknown

[T'wit]

That was a lovely story.

"At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.’" -- Mother Teresa

[T'wit]

>> The desire to exterminate "useless eaters" does not exist in a vacuum. It is a whole attitude. A way of looking at the world.

It works out to Hell's way of looking at the world.