Terri Schiavo's Family Blasts ABC, New York Times on Faulty Reporting

Life News ^ | 11/19/07 | Steven Ertelt

[wagglebee]

Tampa, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Terri Schiavo's family is upset with the media for again erroneously depicting the disabled woman as "brain dead" when she was able to interact with them before her former husband took her life. This time, the Schindler family says ABC News and the New York Times wrongly reported on her condition.

Yesterday on ABC's "This Week" program, George Stephanopoulos, in an interview with Senator Fred Thompson, commented that Terri Schiavo's autopsy proved she was "brain dead."

The New York Times reported on the television interview, and repeated the erroneous claim.

Terri's brother Bobby Schindler told LifeNews.com on Monday that the "brain dead" assessment is patently false. He said Terri's family is requesting that the media immediately stop using this "offensive and inaccurate expression" to describe her condition.

"Brain death is an authentic diagnosis, not some catch phrase that should be loosely used based upon a 'summary of widespread response' or opinions that have been written about my sister,' Schindler said.

"We are requesting that the media take a few minutes to research the facts regarding Terri's case and, more importantly, her condition," he added. In doing so they would learn that not one doctor ever diagnosed Terri as being 'brain-dead.'"

Schindler said that included those physicians who wrote her autopsy report.

He told LifeNews.com that media reports on Terri's painful 13-day starvation and dehydration euthanasia death rarely mention the more than 40 doctors' affidavits submitted to the court.

Those legal papers either contradicted that Terri was in a so-called persistent vegetative state and they indicated she could have been helped with proper rehabilitation.

Schindler said the media also fails to report the medical records confirming that Terri at one time was beginning to speak, or the videos of Terri interacting with her family and her surroundings. Those prove she was alive and responsive, he said.

"This has been a major problem with the mainstream media -- not just that they are writing that Terri was brain dead, but how they continue to inaccurately and irresponsibly report blatant falsehoods regarding my sister's condition," Schindler explained.

Suzanne Vitadamo, Terri's sister, chimed in as well.

"If the media took the time to research Terri's case, perhaps they would understand that she was simply a woman living with a disability, just like the 50 million persons living with a disability in our country today," she told LifeNews.com.

Vitadamo added that Terri "was in need of only love and compassion."

"The media's continuing quest to somehow justify her death is offensive to her memory and even more offensive to the tens of thousands of people who live with cognitive disabilities similar to Terri's," Vitadamo added.

Terri's sister said Terri fell victim to a "quality of life" standard that is increasingly being used to determine which patients should life or die.

"Terri was a daughter, a sister and a friend who was loved by many who feel the pain of her loss every single day. She was guilty only of having a brain injury and being dependent on others for her care," Vitadamo concluded.

"Sadly, in today's culture, this was not enough to save her from being killed."

Related web sites:
Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation - http://www.terrisfight.org

[wagglebee]

"The media's continuing quest to somehow justify her death is offensive to her memory and even more offensive to the tens of thousands of people who live with cognitive disabilities similar to Terri's," Vitadamo added.

It certainly is.

[wagglebee]

Pro-Life Ping

[wagglebee]

Ping

[wagglebee]

Moral Absolutes Ping!

Freepmail wagglebee or little jeremiah to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.

FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
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[floriduh voter]

bttt.

[FormerACLUmember]

Yesterday on ABC's "This Week" program, George Stephanopoulos, in an interview with Senator Fred Thompson, commented that Terri Schiavo's autopsy proved she was "brain dead." The New York Times reported on the television interview, and repeated the erroneous claim.

Special Place.

Hell.

[samm1148]

The phrase is: Assuaging one’s conscience. Necessary when one has cheered on a woman’s slow death.

[Jacquerie]

IIRC, a federal judge sentenced this innocent woman to death by starvation. She was charged with nothing, did nothing wrong and yet she died by starvation. Punishment like that was once reserved for Catholic priests in Nazi camps.

Once in a while you can read a feature or vanity regarding how in the world did the German people knowingly put up with such barbarity.

[wagglebee]

Actually, the judge was a state probate judge with absolutely no trial experience when he became a judge.

http://judgegeorgegreer.com/

[Jacquerie]

Thanks for the clarification. Facts matter at FR.

[MizSterious]

Ah, but Heaven forbid anyone so much as threaten a captured terrorist with anything resembling torture.

[UCANSEE2]

And little Georgie ought to know “brain-dead” when he sees it.

He saw scores of Senators viewing the proof of Bill Clinton’s atrocities, and letting him off the hook.

Now that takes some “brain-dead” Senators.

[fetal heart beats by 21st day]

I hope they sue. Mammon, and the loss of it, is the only thing atheists grasp.

[Sun]

This was in a real newspaper, so I don’t have a link, “Our Sunday Visitor,” the April 10, 2005 edition, & the author is Lori Hadacek Chaplin.

It was suggested to a doctor that they pull the plug of a little baby’s ventilator, because he had flat brain waves. The doctor did not, and little Joseph not only lived, but went on to receive straight A’s in school, run track and play baseball.

STRAIGHT A’s. Now can you imagine how smart he would have been if he HAD brain waves when he was an infant? :)

The doctor, Dr. Byrne, is now a clinical professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Ohio and HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT VOICE against using brain-wave criteria for DETERMINING DEATH.

I’d like to add that we better be extra cautious when allowing the doctors to give our loved ones’ organs, because they are declared “brain dead.”

Did you know that organs are more valuable when the patient is alive, but declared “brain dead?”

[8mmMauser]

Pinged from Terri Dailies

8mm

[jy22077]

Over 40 doctors weighed in on Terri’s PVS diagnosis. All they agreed that Terri was either MCS (not PVS) or she needed further testing to make that conclusion.

Although nearly all of these doctors did not personally examine Terri Schiavo, they did view video taped evidence of her responses and interactions. While some did make conclusions based on the short clips found on the Schindler’s website about Terri, many did fact make conclusion of the video taped evidence used in the trial that was far longer and in dept of what was on the Schindler’s website.

Many of these doctors had special expertise in the treatment of brain injured patients. Some of these doctors were also experts in the MCS diagnosis.

Neither the courts or Michael allowed these doctors to examine Terri Schiavo.

According to Pat Anderson, she put 50 to 70 affadavits in front of Judge Greer and in the end was only able to get 2 doctors to examine Terri Schiavo (Hammerfahr and Maxfield). This was not on the orders of Judge Greer but on the orders of the Appeal court who ordered Judge Greer to allow these doctors to examine Terri Schiavo.

The Best Schindler Doctors

1. Dr. Jacob Greene Ph.D. - A neurologist from Jacksonville, Florida. Submitted his affidavit in May of 2001. He examined Terri’s medical records (at least

some of them) and the video (from the 2000 trial) not to the so called edited ones. Disputed PVS based on the video and her medical records. Submitted

another affidavit in February of 2005 in which he Believed she was MCS (became recently known) and recommended further tests. Believed she should have had an

fMRI which Terri never received. Did not examine Terri. Dr. Greene holds a practice that specializes in the testing of brain injured patients.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Affidavit%20Jacob%20Green.htm

2. Dr. Alexander Gimon. - A PHd Neuropsychologist from Florida. Had studied the video clips presented at the October 2002 Medical Evidentiary Hearing. Gave

an in-dept analysis on each one of the videos. Also reviewed the audio recording. Disputed Terri is PVS. Offered his expert medical opinion based on the

tapes and audio clip.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/alexGimonAffidavit082503.htm

3. Dr. Richard Neubauer - A HBOT specialist doctor from Florida. - Viewed the actual video tape (From 2000 trial). Recommended hyperbaric Therapy for Terri.

Submitted his affidavit in May of 2001. Submitted another affidavit in March of 2005 and urged that Terri be given a chance at HBOT.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Dr.%20Neubauer%20Affidavit.doc

4. Dr. William Russell - A retired neurologist from Florida - Reviewed the medical records of Theresa Marie Schiavo, a videotape of her (From 2000 Trial),

the trial testimony of Dr. Barnhill, the affidavits of Drs. Carpenter and Young and that of Bishop Larkin filed in her guardianship court file, the motion

for rehearing, and various letters from Ms Schiavo?s family members. Disputed PVS. Believed Terri to be more aware than Ronald Reagan. Vouched for Dr.

Hammesfahr’s credibility. Submitted his affidavit in May of 2001.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/DrRussellaffidavit.htm

5. Dr. Webber - A specialist doctor from Florida - Reviewed Terri’s medical records covering the period from 1991 to 1999. Also, studied the videotape of

Terri and her mother, apparently taped in 1999 or 2000. Disputed PVS. Submitted his affidavit in May of 2001.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Affidavit%20Fred%20Webber.htm

6. Dr. James Avery - A medical doctor from Florida - Observed Terri for 30 minutes. Questioned PVS diagnosis. Recommended swallowing tests. Submitted his

affidavit in February of 2000. HE DID OBSERVE TERRI!

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Avery%20Affidavit%20-%20Swallowing.pdf

7. Dr. Cheshire - A neurologist from Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida - Observed Terri for 90 minutes, Reviewed her medical records and the video tapes

(not the edited ones). Disputed PVS. Submitted a wonderful lengthy affidavit in March of 2005 and believed Terri was misdiagnosised and was MCS. HE DID

OBSERVE TERRI!
http://www.hospicepatients.org/william-cheshire-jr-md-03-05-affidavit-re-terri-schiavo.pdf

8. Dr. John Young - A medical doctor from Florida. - Observed Terri for 30 minutes. Questioned PVS diagnosis. Recommended swallowing tests. Submitted his

affidavit in February of 2000. HE DID OBSERVE TERRI!

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/young.PDF

9. Sara Green Mele - A speech pathologist from Chicago - Reviewed Terri’s medical records along with all of her records about her therapy at Mediplex. Also

reviewed the video tapes and audio recordings. Gave an in-dept analysis of the videos. Disputed PVS. Submitted her affidavit in 2004.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Affidavit%20from%20Speech%20Pathologist.doc

10. Dr. Jay Carpenter - A medical doctor in Florida. Observed Terri for 90 minutes. Submitted lengthly affidavits to the court urging swallowing tests,

testing, therapy and disputed the PVS diagnosis. Was responsible for the initial grassroots medical movement to save Terri’s life. HE DID OBSERVE TERRI!

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Dr%20%20Jay%20Carpenter.pdf

12. Dr. Thomas Zabiega - A neurologist from Illinois. Viewed videos of Terri and other info. Also reviewed the audio recording of Terri. Said the

following about the audio recording of Terri Schiavo: “believe she is making verbalizations on the tape. In fact, around 45 seconds, when she is asked “How

are you doing” she definitely changes her voice and says “good”. She appears to say “yeah” several times... then at the end of the tape when she is asked

“do your ears hurt” she definitely says “no”. Even if none of the words were discernible, the fact that her voice changes during the tape to different

questions suggests she is understanding what is being said to her. A patient in PVS does not respond and does not have any changes in verbal output.”

Disputed PVS. Urges for further testing. Submitted an affidavitt in 2005.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/zabeiga.PDF

13. Dr. Myra Stinson - A speech patholgist from Florida. Viewed videos from 2002 trial and audio recordings of Terri. Disputed PVS. Urged for more

swallowing tests. Stated that Terri was saying words based on the audio recordings.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Myra%20Stinson%20Affidavit%20090703.pdf

14. Dr. Mack Jones - A Florida Neurolgist. Listened to audio recordings of Terri Schiavo. Made the following comments: “She does appear to be responding

to her father’s questions and attempting to form words.”

15. Dr. William Bell - A professor of neurology at the Wake Forest University Medical School. Listened to audio records of Terri Schiavo. Made following

comments: “Did respond [to her father’s voice] as she seems to pace her vocalization to his voice and not the reverse (his voice to
her vocalizations).”

16. Tom Boderson - Pat Anderson’s legal assistant and a speech therapist. Worked with Terri for a couple of weeks. Made the following comments and

coclusions: “Terri responds to a variety of stimulii, including
responding to both her mother’s and my voices, both in person and over
the phone, by fixing her attention and frequently by laughing. When I
sang to her, she often VOCALIZED, in her best effort to sing along with
me. She recognizes and takes great pleasure in certain singers and
songs which ARE her favorites (most especially John Denver
singing “Country Roads”). She learned to love several songs I sang to
her with which she didn’t seem to be familiar with, but others she
never learned to appreciate (just not her cup of tea, obviously).”

17. Carla Iyer - Florida RN who worked closely with Terri. Reported that Terri was speaking words.

18. Heidi Law - Florida CNA who worked with Terri. Reported that Terri was responsive and speaking words.

Other Schindler Docs

19. Dr. Ralph Akenman - A psychiatrist from Ohio. Specializes in treatment of brain injured patients. Did not observe or examine Terri but says his therapy could possibly help her. Submitted her affidavit in March of 2005. Just a helpful affidavit in my opinion.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Ankenman.pdf

20. Dr. Beatrice Engstrand - A neurologist from New York. Did not examine Terri or her medical records. Did state that she could help Terri because of similar patients she has delt with. Disputes PVS. However, she did study under Dr. Plum, the pioneer doctor of the PVS state, so her conclusions may be credible. Urged for a PET scan and fMRI. Submitted affidavit in March of 2005.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Engstrand.pdf

21. Dr. Alyse Eytan - A psychairtrist from Chicago. Had followed the Terri Schiavo case in the news. Basically a doctor offering her expert opinion based what she has read and seen. Sounds like a moral POV affidavit. Submitted her affidiavit in March 2005.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Eytan.pdf

22. Dr. Goldsmith - Is a regular doctor. Had not examined Terri but had seen the video clips. Questionable on PVS. Believes his therapy could help Terri. Encouraged further testing and therapy.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Goldsmith.pdf

23. Dr. Carolyn Heron. Is a regular doctor from Chicago. Had followed the Teri Schiavo case in the news. Basically a doctor offering her expert opinion based what she has read and seen. Has seen the video clips. Disputed PVS based on her expertise. Urged additonal testing.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Heron.pdf

24. Dr. David Hopper - A psychologist specializing in brain injury. Disputed PVS. Recommended further tests.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/drhopper.PDF

25. Dr. Lawrence Huntoon - A neurologist from New York. Did view the so called edited video clips. Disputed PVS based on his expertise and knowledge on the video clips. Believed Terri to be MSC. Stood by his affidavit later by refuting the autopsy results. Is one the foremost experts on the MCS diagnosis.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Huntoon.pdf

http://www.christorchaos.com/DrHuntoonLetter.htm

26. Dr. Hyink - Speech Language Pathologist from Colarado. Did view the so called edited video clips. Offered her expert medical opinion based what she knows of the case. Urged communication therapy. This patholgist is Laura Shepherd’s pathologist, the disabled daughter of Linda Shepherd.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Hyink.pdf

27. Dr. Jill Joyce - Speech Language Pathologist. Did view the so called edited video clips. Disputed PVS based on her expertise and thevideo clips. Offered her expert medical opinion based what she knows of the case. Urges additional therapy.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Joyce.pdf

28. Dr. Phillip Kennedy PH.D. - A neurologist. Offered his expertise in the case. Urged Terri to undergo a fMRI.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Dr%20Philip%20Kennedy.pdf

29. Dr. Ricardo Senno. A regular doctor from Illinois - Offered his insight on what he has seen and his expert medical opinion. Only saw photos of Terri on the internet. Conclusions based on this sound weak. It more of moral stand he takes. Urged further testing.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Senno.pdf

30. Dr. Stanley Terman - A neurologist from California - Reviewed info on Terri including the Wolfson GAL Report. Recommended further testing such as fMRI.

31. Dr. Michael Uszler - A doctor from California. Questioned testing done on Terri.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Uszler.pdf

32. Dr. Richard Weidman - A doctor from Washington D.C. Disputed Terri is PVS based on what he had seen and heard. Urged more testing.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Weidman.pdf

33. Dr. Peter Morin - A neurologist from Maine. Studied info about the case. Raised many moral questions.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/morin.PDF

34. Dr. Peter Luca - A doctor from Michigan. Addresseed his moral POV of view regarding Terri’s situation.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/luca.PDF

35. Dr. Paul Harch - A doctor from Louisana. Sided with Dr. Neubeur to have Terri undergo HBOT treatment.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/harch.PDF

36. Dr. Peter Brunner - A speech patholgist from Florida. Urged Terri to undergo Vitalstim treatment.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/brunner.PDF

37. Dr. David Coulter - A doctor from Boston. Urged more testing for Terri.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/coulter.PDF

38. Dr. Kyle Lakas - A speech patholgist from Texas. Urged Terri to undergo Vitalstim tretment.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Lakas.pdf

39. Dr. Rodney Dunaway - A neurologist from Texas. Viewed video clips. Disputed PVS. Urged further testing.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/DR.%20Dunaway.pdf

40. Dr. George Isajiw - A doctor from Pennsylvania. Viewed video clips. Disputed PVS. Urged further testing.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Dr.%20Isajuiw.pdf.

41. Dr. Leonard Rybak - A doctor from Illnois. Viewed Videos. Disputed PVS. Conferred with Dr. Hammesfarh’s diagnosis. Urged Further testing.

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/DR.%20Rybak.pdf

42. Dr. Laura Barclay - A neurolgist from Tampa, Florida. Disputed PVS based on the video clips and other information about Terri. Urged additional testing and therapy.
http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Dr%20%20Laurie%20Barclay.pdf

Still Others:

43. Dr. William Bell - A neurology professor from Wake Forest University - Doubted Terri’s PVS diagnosis. Said the following about it regarding the video clips. “I asked Dr. Bell if he thought a moan uttered after a painful blow could be a reflex. “It’s highly unlikely,” he replied. He qualified his answer by noting that he had not actually seen the video of the exam, but he believes that the description of Terri’s reaction is not consistent with a reflex. “A moan is not a reflex,” Bell said. “A wince or grimace is not a reflex.”

[jy22077]

Here are the video clips of Terri Schiavo.

1. http://www.sacramentolifechain.org/terri-big_eyes.ram

This is probably one the best video clips that shows that Terri was aware and cognitive and some small level. The video starts out with Terri’s eyes closed. Dr. Hammesfahr (the voice) asks her to open her eyes. You can see Terri struggle to carry out Dr. Hammesfahr’s directive or command for several seconds as she attempts to open her eyes. After several attempts, Terri opens her eyes. As Dr. Hammersfahr praises Terri, you can clearly see she is aware of him and understands what Dr. Hammerfahr has asked her to do. She moves her head or body towards Dr. Hammesfahr. As Dr. Hammesfahr praises her more, Terri is very eager to please and open her eyes really wide and even wrinkles her eyebrows. I find it hard to believe that someone could write that off as reflex action. Terri clearly opened her eyes on command and reciporcated Dr. Hammesfahr’s praises by opening them wider and wrinkling her eyebrows. There was clearly some level of awareness or consciousness at work there.

2. http://www.sacramentolifechain.org/ConversationWithTerri.ram

In the start of the video, Terri is silent but her head is turned and she is staring at Bob Schindler. Bob Schindler begins to talk directly to her. He talks about a funny memory in Terri’s childhood about her lazy eye. Terri responds almost right on key to Bob Schindler inquieries. It clearly shows that Terri is aware of Bob Schindler talking to her and is responding in an appropriate manner almost right on key.

3. http://www.sacramentolifechain.org/terri-music.ram

In this video, Terri responds by a short laugh after several seconds of the music playing. Brain injured patients take a long time process information. It is unknown on whether this is reflex response to Mary’s inquiry (pro-death doctors say it is.), but it seems that Terri was aware of the music. However, this video does reveal something interesting. If you watch Terri’s hands and fingers and see them move ever so slightly. The video is cut off at the fingers to determine if Terri is making some attempt at keeping up with the tempo with her fingers. However, I did see her fingers and hand move, but it is very very slight.

4. http://www.sacramentolifechain.org/terrimum.ram

In this video, Terri does give slight smile when her Mary touches her. The interesting point in this video is when Mary tilts Terri’s head back. It’s difficult to tell if Terri is actually helping her mom in this movement (tilting her head back.)

5. http://www.sacramentolifechain.org/terri-hows_that_cold.ram

This video is quite interesting and you can see that Terri is clearly aware of her mother’s presence. The really interesting part in this video is when Mom first approaches her and says “Hi”. You have watch really close, but Terri is aware of Mary Schindler. If you watch her eyebrow, you will see Terri raise it when Mary first says “hi” to her. I find this hard to believe the raising eyebrow would be a reflex. As Mary talks to her, Terri give low moan and seems to be responding to Mary’s inquires. Mary is not touching Terri.

In these videos, you really have to pay close attention to Terri, especially her eyes. These videos demonstrate that Terri was aware of the people were around her.

Please bear in mind the florida statute for PVS:

The definition of PVS in Florida Statute765.101:Persistent vegetative state means a permanentand irreversible condition of unconsciousness inwhich there is:(a) The absence of voluntary action or cognitivebehavior of ANY kind.(b) An inability to communicate or interactpurposefully with the environment.

6. http://www.raven1.net/terriballoon.rm

In this video Terri is clearly following the baloon (Cranford testfied to it.). Not only are Terri eyes tracking it but it important to watch Terri’s eyebrows as she eyes track the balloon. Terri also moves her head from side to side. Terri was apparently aware of the balloon and was trying to follow it. Many have said that you can’t tell if Terri is following the balloon. However, she must be based on Dr. Cranford’s comments and what he further testfied to in court.

7. http://www.blogsforterri.com/video/terri-swab.rmm

In this video Terri looks half a sleep. The swab is applied and Terri clearly does not like it. Not only does Terri respond with a grimace, but she moves her arms and even her whole body to get away from the swab. The video ends, showing a very agitated look on Terri’s face.

Here is narrative from the 2002 trial which is extended version of the Open Your Eyes Video. Terri follows more commands:

22 mother. Can you look at your mother now? Say

23 something so she knows where you are.”

24 “Terry, it’s mommy. Over here, Honey. Mommy.

25 Can you look over here at mommy. I’m over here.

101

1 I’m over here. Can you look over here at mommy.

2 Over here. Now, look at me. Terry, look at me.

3 Good.”

4 Now, Terry I’m going to tap you with a sharp

5 piece of wood. This is a hammer with a sharp piece

6 of wood. If you feel it, I want to you look at

7 your mother, not at me. Look at your mother if you

8 feel it. Good. Now, look at me. I’m going to

9 hold your eyes open for a second. Can you look at

10 me? Can you look directly at me?”

11 “Look at me. Now look at your mom. Good.

12 Excellent. Terry, look at me. Right over here.

13 Terry, open your eyes up. Open your eyes. Terry,

14 open your eyes. Very good. Good. Good job. Good

15 job young lady. Good job. Now, what I need you to

16 do is close your eyes. Close your eyes real tight.

17 Close your eyes. Close them closed tight. Keep

18 them closed. Okay. Now keep them real closed.

19 Now I want to you open your eyes real wide. Open

20 them real wide. Good job. Very good. Good job.

21 Very good.”

22 “Now I want to you open your eyes real wide,

23 real wide. Open them real wide for me. Real wide.

24 Yeah, I saw that. Good job. Now open your eyes

25 real wide. Give me a real big stare. A real big

102

1 stare. Can you open them real wide for me. Terry,

2 open them real wide for me. Real wide keep them

3 moving. Okay. Give me a real wide stare. Can you

4 do that?”

Terri had severe brain damage and couldn’t respond to every cammand the Dr. Hammesfahr put to her. I doubt these responses were reflexes.

But what about the the Missing Schiavo Video???

I have always wondered what happen to the 20 minute Terri Schiavo video that was shown at the Mal Practice trial in 1992. It is interesting that that video was never mentioned again and was never used in the 2000 or 2002 trial as video evidence. The video is never mentioned again in any future affidavit or motion that I could find.

I did read that exhibits for the 1992 Mal Trial were destroyed in 1997.

The video was very important for several reasons. Based on the testimony by Michael Schiavo, it showed that Terri was alert, aware, could feel pain, and could swallow.
In it the video shows Terri swallowing at times. It shows Terri reacting to pain. And it shows Terri has feelings and is alert and aware. This all based on Michael’s testimony. Observe:

1992 Testimony

A. Right here, basically, you can see she’s dressed,

11 she’s already had her shower and everything. We would get

12 her dressed, put her shoes and socks on. I’m trying out her

13 hands there. You have to keep the inside of the hands,

14 since she’s contracted, you have to keep them dry because

15 infection can set in, and I usually do a little bit of range

16 of motion with her.

17 Q. And while you’re doing that, do you talk to her?

18 A. Yes, I am talking to her right now telling her

19 it’s okay.

20 Q. She doesn’t like that very much?

21 A. No, she doesn’t. She does feel pain.

Q. (BY MR. WOODWORTH:) Does she like that kind of

5 treatment very much?

6 A. No, she does not. Here I’m trying to bend her

7 leg.

Q. I notice, Michael, you’re holding her head back.

25 why are you doing that?

___
19

1 A. Because she’ll fall forward, and if she falls fast

2 she gets excited. It’s — I was told by a doctor she was

3 getting the feeling she’s falling.

Q. You hoping he can get her to the point where she

15 swallows?

16 A. Yes. You see here rubbing the bottom of her

17 throat, that’s, I don’t know what the word is, gets them to

18 swallow when you rub the bottom of their throat. She just

19 swallowed that time.

Q. Does she express discomfort when some of these

9 things are happening to her?

10 A. Yes. Yes, she does.

11 Q. How does she do that?

12 A. She’ll moan and groan.

I like to get her outside for fresh air.

This is a video that was never released but shown at the Mal Trial. It showed 4 things about Terri that seem to refute PVS based on Michael’s testimony.

1. It shows Terri reacting to pain.

2. It shows Terri has feelings.

3. It shows Terri alert and aware.

4. It shows Terri can swallow to some degree.

Addition, if Terri condition progressed over the years, one can assume that was because of Michael’s neglect to get Terri further therapy and rehabilitation.

Michael sarcasticly writes in his book that Schindlers went looking for doctor after doctor until they could find someone that would give Terri a chance.

Finally, Michael remarks that he would bring Terri outside for fresh air. By the time Terri arrived at hospice, Terri was pretty much jailed in her room for the last 4 to 5 years of her life.

Michael threatened to arrest anyone who attempted to bring her outside or have her attend any social function.

Of course Michael claims he was protecting Terri’s right to privacy but I don’t buy it. Michael hired a private security guard to protect Terri. Michael could have taken her anywhere and her body guard could have been there to protect Terri’s privacy.

Yes, the video definitely show that Terri is cognitive at very small level. You have watch very closely the clips or you will miss her responses. Watching her eyebrows move is one thing that shows she is aware. Her body movement of head, hands, and whole suggest cognitiveness as well.

Dozens of doctors looked at these very same clips that I posted and came to one of two conclusions: Terri was MCS rather than PVS (The response were inconstitent with PVS) or more clinical testing was needed.

Some of the Doctors were experts in neurology and the MCS state. Some of the doctors included:

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/alexGimonAffidavit082503.htm

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/drhopper.PDF

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Huntoon.pdf

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/zabeiga.PDF

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Affidavit%20from%20Speech%20Pathologist.doc

http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Dr%20%20Laurie%20Barclay.pdf

The conclusions by these doctors were reenforced by doctors who actually examined or observed Terri in person:

Dr. Hammesfahr
Dr. Maxfield
Dr. Cheshire
http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Dr%20%20Jay%20Carpenter.pdf
http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/Avery%20Affidavit%20-%20Swallowing.pdf
http://www.terrisfight.org/userfiles/File/young.PDF

You also have the reenforcement of numerous witnesses accounts from lawyers, the Schindlers, caregivers and priests who actually saw Terri.

The autopsy did not prove Terri was PVS.

Dr. Nelson, the neuropathologist conceded that Terri could have been MCS but there was no way to be sure since pathological conclusions on the MCS were limited. Dr. Nelson therefore conceded to the known PVS diagnosis indicating that his findings were constistent with PVS pathological readings.

Dr. Nelson, addition to conceding that Terri could been MCS also conceded that it was possible that Terri was aware and could hear and recognize her family members.

However, Dr. Nelson was very quick to defend his PVS POV.

CNN Press Conference Transcript Piece:

The question is first asked:

QUESTION: Dr. Thogmartin, what abilities did Terri have? You said she was blind. In those — near the end of her life, what would she have been able to do, feel, whatever?

Dr. Nelson is quick to defend his PVS POV.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The — again, it’s important to remember this is — persistent vegetative state is a clinical diagnosis. It’s not a pathologic diagnosis. The findings of Terri Schiavo are very consistent with persistent vegetative state.

Dr. Nelson is pressed:

QUESTION: Doctor, her family had said repeatedly that she believed that — they believed that she interacted with them. Are you saying that’s impossible?

Dr. Nelson concedes but is quick to defend it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We’re certainly not saying that’s impossible. But we’re saying based on what we know, and what is in the literature with regard to persistent vegetative state, again, that is a clinical diagnosis. It’s not a pathologic diagnosis that has precision associated with it.

In other words, the ME could only say that Terri had severe brain damage.

They couldn’t make any conclusions on Terri’s abilities from a dead body, but they are conceding that is not impossible for Terri to be cognitive and aware.

Many have argued, the courts as well as other parties viewed all 4.5 hours of video tapes and found Terri to be PVS.

This matter was addressed very carefully and throughly in the courts:

http://judgegeorgegreer.com/docs/021403appealofdeathorder.doc

http://www.notdeadyet.org/docs/schaivobrief.html

http://www.internationaltaskforce.org/pdf/schiavo.pdf

Was Terri serverely brain damaged?

Absolutely!

Was Terri going to recover to a meaning life?

Most unlikley!

Was Terri going to get up and walk around?

Probably not!

Could Terri display primitive emotional responses to family and friends and display recognition to them?

Absolutely!

Terri was severely brain damaged but she did have the capacity to recognize her family and to response to them in very small way.

The final conclusion in my opinion was that Terri was in fact MCS and as matter of law was not PVS.

[jy22077]

1. http://www.indybay.org/uploads/part1terriinterview.mp3
Jana Carpenter is interviewed and talks about Terri as she lay dying
in 2003. Jana Carpenter is a nurse who worked closely with the
Schindlers and actually got to read some of her medical charts.
Rating is an 8.
Dated around October 2003.
Running Time - About 28 Minutes

2. http://www.centerforajustsociety.org/uploads/terri012905.mp3
An execellent interview of Ken Connor with John Sipos. He explains
some of Terri’s Law and the judicial problems with the Schiavo case.
Rating is a 10.
About 20 Mintes long.
Dated January 29,2005.

3. http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/resolve.asp?
rafile=wo_02182005.rm
David Gibbs and Bob Schindler are interviewed in February 2005. About
1 hour long. Bob and David answer questions from callers. Relays some
interesting facts.
Rating is a 9.
Dated February 18,2005.
Running Time - About 1 Hour

4. http://kgovarchives.com/bel/2005/24k/20050301-BEL042-24k.mp3
Cheryl Ford RN is interviewed in March 2005 and talks about Terri
Schiavo.
Rating is a 7.
Dated March 01,2005.
Running Time - About 28 Minutes

5. http://www.kfuo.org/mp3/Issues5/Mar_17c.mp3
Wesley Smith talks about Michael Schiavo’s 2005 Nightline Interview
the day before Terri’s feeding tube was removed.
Rating is an 8.
Dated March 17,2005.
Running Time - About 15 minutes.

6. http://libsyn.com/media/commarts/NGOVCNeff.mp3
Very Good interview by Chuck Neff in the media who studied the
Schiavo case. Has a very distrubing story about his mother in
hospice.
Rating is a 9.
Dated around March 18,2005
Running Time - About 15 Minutes.

7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IqoanJnk9Y
Lieberman on Terri Schiavo.
Rating is a 6.
Dated around March 18, 2005
Running Time - About 3 minutes.

8. http://libsyn.com/media/commarts/NGOVTerriLegal.mp3
A university professor tells how JEB or Bush could have saved Terri
from death.
Rating is a 7.
Dated around March 18,2005.
Running Time - About 20 Minutes

9. http://treyjackson.typepad.com/junction/files/capone.mov
Trudy Capone is interviewed and talks about Terri Schiavo in March of
2005. Trudy says Michael didn’t know what to do with Terri. If
Michael didn’t know what to do with Terri, he probably didn’t know
her wishes.
Rating is an 8.
Dated around March 18,2005.
Running Time - About 5 Minutes.

10. http://treyjackson.typepad.com/junction/files/nurse.mov
Heidi Law is interviewed and talks about Terri Schiavo in March of
2005.
Rating is a 7.
Dated around March 18,2005.
Running Time - About 5 minutes.

11.
http://web.archive.org/web/20050403013905/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/
3036789/
Lawyer Bois - Believes the Federal Courts studied the Schiavo case
well. However, Bois was very suspect of Terri’s so-called wishes and
was disturbed that the Federal Courts did not take a look at that
issue.

Lawyer Starr - Adds that the Schindlers did present their side on the
Clear and Convincing Standard but believes Judge Greer found
Michael’s evidence to be realiable. However, Starr believes that
Legal mistakes were most likely made and was disturbed by the fact
the Terri did not have GAL consistently throughout the legal process.
Starr ends that Congress should given more clear direction to the
Federal Courts.
Rating is a 9.
Date around March 18, 2005.
Running Time - About 10 Minutes.

12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJ3hLKO2XI
This a short interview on Scarbough Country between a bioethist and a
Right to Life Attorney. Bill Allen looks like one evil dude and does
not believe Terri Schiavo is a person.
Rating is a 6.
Dated around March 18,2005.
Running Time - About 5 Minutes.

13. http://www.kfuo.org/mp3/Issues5/Issues_Etc_Mar_21b.mp3
Rita Marker talks about what Terri’s Law II was really about. Does a
good rebuttle of Rep. Debbie Wasserman’s comments.
Rating is a 10.
Date March 21,2005
Running Time - About 20 Minutes

14. http://www.kfuo.org/mp3/Issues5/Issues_Etc_Mar_31b.mp3
A nurse named Cindy Provience who is writing a book on PVS talks
about Terri Schiavo. Discusses some interesting facts about the PVS
diagnosis.
Rating is an 8.
Dated March 31,2005.
Running Time - About 20 Minutes.

15. http://www.priestsforlife.org/audiosf/05-04-08schiavo.m3u
Frank Pavone Talks about Terri Schiavo’s Final Hours. The Eye Witness
account by Frank Pavone.
Rating is a 9.
Dated April 05,2005.
Running Time - About 39 Minutes.

16. http://www.kfuo.org/mp3/Issues5/Issues_Etc_Apr_14b.mp3
Wesley Smith talks about the Legacy of Terri Schiavo after her death.
Relays some very interesting facts.
Rating is a 10.
Dated April 14,2005.
Running Time - About 20 Minutes

17. http://www.coralridge.org/BroadcastArchives.asp#1953
http://www.coralridge.org/BroadcastArchives.asp#1954
http://www.coralridge.org/BroadcastArchives.asp#1955
http://www.coralridge.org/BroadcastArchives.asp#1956
David Gibbs, Dr. Stevens and Joni Eareckson Tada are interviewed on
Dr. Kennedy’s Truth That Tranforms radio program.
Rating is a 10.
Running Time - About 40 Minutes.

18. http://video.aol.com/video-search/id/2939381526
http://video.aol.com/video-search/id/3369036850
Mark Fuhrman and Suzanne Vitadamo are interviewed about Terri’s
collapse after Terri’s death.
Rating is an 8.
Dated May 2005.
Running Time - About 20 Minutes.

19. http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/resolve.asp?
rafile=wo_06172005.rm
Bobby Schindler and Lawyer Michael Gaynor discuss Terri after she
dies and the legalities and problems with the Schiavo case. Gaynor
present an excellent Due process argument (fundemental fairness).
Callers phone in. 1 hour long.
Rating is a 10.
Dated June 17,2005.
Running Time - About 1 Hour.

20. http://www.priestsforlife.org/audiose/gol025-05.mp3
Bobby Schindler talks to Frank Pavone about Terri shortly after
Terri’s autopsy results. Bobby relays some interesting facts.
Rating is a 9.
Dated around June 2005.
Running Time - About 15 Minutes.

21. http://www.pfltv.com/bobby/
Bobby Schindler interviews on Priest’s For Life with Janet Morana. He talks about the facts
of the Schiavo case. You can actually see Bobby Schindler in this interview.
9:00 minutes long.
Rating is a 9.
Dated 2006.
Running Time - About 15 Minutes.

22. http://www.christianradiomagazine.com/audio/crm20061202.m3u
David Gibbs talks about The Schiavo case on Christian Radio. He
presents a good due process (fundamental fairness) argument.
Rating is a 10.
Dated February 12, 2006.
Running Time - About 20 Minutes.

23. http://www.familynetradio.com/mornings/mp3/050306Schindler.mp3
Bob and Mary Schindler are interviewed on Lori and Friends in May
2006 about the Schiavo case. Bob relays the facts.
Rating is an 8.
Dated March 05, 2006.
Running Time - About 30 Minutes.

24.
http://www.theamericanview.com/dictator/media/595/TheAmericanViewProg5
1.mp3
Bobby Schindler is interviewed on the American View Radio program
about Michael Schiavo’s 2006 interview with Matt Ladeur.
Rating is an 8.
Dated around March 30, 2006.
Running Time - About 30 Minutes.

25. http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/resolve.asp?
rafile=wo_04072006.rm
Bobby Schindler is interviewed on ETWN a year after Terri’s death.
Bobby relays some interesting facts.
Rating is a 9.
Dated April 07,2006.
Running Time - About 1 Hour.

26. http://www.kfuo.org/mp3/Issues6/Issues_Etc_Jun_04a.mp3
http://www.kfuo.org/mp3/Issues6/Issues_Etc_Jun_04b.mp3
Excellent 2 hour interview of Bobby Schindler on Issues, Etc.
Rating is a 10.
Dated June 04,2006.
Running Time - Over an Hour.

27. http://www.ncfpc.org/Podcast/NCFPC-070127-Gibbs.mp3
David Gibbs is interviewed on January 27, 2007 about the Schiavo
case. Gibbs presents his case.
Rating is a 7.
Dated January 27,2007.
Running Time - About 15 Minutes.

28. http://www.somervillebaptist.org/audio/4-8-07_evening_service.mp3
David Gibb’s Sermon on Terri Schiavo given on April 8, 2007 in
Alabama. Gibbs spreads his word.
Rating is a 9.
Dated April 08,2007.
Running Time - About 50 Minutes.

29. http://www.christianlaw.org/pdf/FFDL.wmv?PHPSESSID=44d0400635a57b47e342e6a3966595aa
David Gibbs tells the untold story of Terri Schiavo.
Rating is an 8. Dated May 2007.
Running Time - About 30 Minutes

30. The Good Interviews of Rita Marker
Dated at different times. Rita talks about different aspects of Terri’s case through the

later end of the Schiavo Saga.
http://kfuoam.org/mp3/Issues4/Sep_1c.mp3
http://kfuoam.org/mp3/Issues4/Oct_21c.mp3
http://kfuoam.org/mp3/Issues5/Jan_24a.mp3
http://kfuoam.org/mp3/Issues5/Feb_22c.mp3
http://kfuoam.org/mp3/Issues5/Feb_23c.mp3

31. http://kfuoam.org/mp3/Issues6/Issues_Etc_Apr_27a.mp3
Bob and Mary Schindler are interviewed.
Rating is an 8.
Dated April 27, 2006.
Running Time - About 20 Minutes.

32. The Glenn Beck Interview of Bobby Schindler
These are interviews with Bobby Schindler interviewing with Glenn Beck. They occurred

during the time Terri was starving and dehydrating to death. Bobby relays his feeling and

the events of the Schiavo Saga are discussed as they manifested themselves. Rating is 9.

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wma/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/03/interview-

bschindler.asx

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wma/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/03/interview-

sschindler.asx

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wma/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/03/interview-

0324.asx

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wma/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/03/interview-

0325.asx

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wma/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/03/interview-

0328.asx

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wma/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/03/interview-

0329.asx

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wma/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/03/interview-

0330.asx