‘Stop dehydration deaths,’ says Terri Schiavo’s brother in response to new brain scan

Catholic News Agency ^ | 2/4/10 | Catholic News Agency

[wagglebee]

St. Petersburg, Fla., Feb 4, 2010 / 08:32 pm (CNA).- Reacting to news of a breakthrough in brain scanning technology, Terri Schiavo's brother Bobby Schindler is calling for a halt to removing hydration from brain-damaged patients who are thought to be in a persistent vegetative state. An “unscientific, inaccurate” diagnosis of unresponsive patients is being used as “a criterion to kill,” Schindler charged.

Schindler was responding to news that researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the University of Liège have used a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map a patient’s brain activity while he was asked to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions.

One patient, a 29-year-old man who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a traffic accident, was able to communicate by willfully changing his brain activity, a press release from the MRC reports. He correctly answered questions such as “Is your father’s name Alexander?”

Dr. Adrian Owen and his team at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, England were the developers of the technique.

“We were astonished when we saw the results of the patient’s scan and that he was able to correctly answer the questions that were asked by simply changing his thoughts,” Dr. Owen commented. “Not only did these scans tell us that the patient was not in a vegetative state but, more importantly, for the first time in five years, it provided the patient with a way of communicating his thoughts to the outside world.”

Dr. Steven Laureys of the University of Liège, a co-author of the study, said the scans were the only viable method for the patient to communicate since his accident.

“It’s early days, but in the future we hope to develop this technique to allow some patients to express their feelings and thoughts, control their environment and increase their quality of life.”

The three-year study conducted fMRI scans on 23 patients diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. The technology detected signs of awareness in four of the cases, 17 percent of the participants.

The fMRI technique can decipher the brain’s answers to questions in healthy participants with 100 percent accuracy but has previously not been used for a patient who cannot move or speak.

Dr. Martin Monti, another MRC co-author of the study, said the advance could help with clinical questions and would allow patients to say if they are feeling any pain.

The new study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Allan Ropper, a neurologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, wrote an editorial accompanying the study. According to HealthDay News, he said that people are going to have to “grapple” with the meaning of brain scans that show consciousness or residual consciousness.

“It has to do with what you think life is and what is a meaningful life. Those are social, cultural and theological questions,” he said.

He also cautioned against giving false hope to families, noting the small percentage of the responsive patients. All the study’s patients had suffered traumatic brain injuries, not damage from oxygen deprivation.

Speaking of the 29-year-old patient, Monti said “it is still the case that we managed to give him, to a little extent, a voice. In a sense there was a very positive outcome. We managed to interact. This is an extremely exciting thing."

CNA sought comment on the issue from Bobby Schindler of the Terri Schiavo Foundation.

His sister Terri, who was severely brain damaged from oxygen deprivation, was at the center of a 2005 legal dispute in Florida. She was denied nutrition and hydration by court order in a case between her blood relatives and her husband.

Schindler said the study backs other findings about the “unscientific, inaccurate” diagnosis of a persistent vegetative state (PVS) and shows how it is “often” wrong when diagnosing people with severe injuries.

“As in the case of my sister, they’re using this diagnosis as a criterion to kill.”

Schindler said his family had asked a judge for similar testing for Terri but it was denied.

If the technique was easy to conduct and available, he said, it would have given a better understanding of her condition. “Why not ask, especially when it is going to end someone’s life?”

Asked whether the case offers insight into how unresponsive patients should be treated, he replied:

“Nobody should have to earn the right to hydration. We should do everything we can to care for these people, regardless of how responsive or unresponsive they are.”

Schindler lamented that people are being “indoctrinated” to see killing as “an act of compassion.”

“We are morally obligated to care for these people,” Schindler told CNA.

“They should stop any further dehydration deaths, because we’re learning how inaccurate the PVS diagnosis is.”

Discussing the other patients who could not communicate, he said families of unresponsive patients should continue to treat them with “love and compassion.”

But the patient’s condition should never justify removing food, hydration or “basic care,” he stressed.

Schindler also noted that improvements on science are possible and could improve unresponsive patients’ functioning.

“We should never come to the conclusion that someone is better off starving to death,” he told CNA.

He was critical of news reports that claimed the new technology would not have helped Terri Schiavo, saying some stories were written “as if these doctors want to go out of their way to justify Terri’s death.”

“If you read these articles, it seems they always have this caveat: ‘let’s not jump to conclusions with Terri Schiavo and say these tests would have proven she wasn’t in the conditions the doctors said she was in.’”

Schindler told CNA that more doctors were on record saying that Terri could have been helped with some of the technology available. They believed that she wasn’t in a vegetative state.

He also advocated the elimination of the term “vegetative state” from common use, saying it is “dehumanizing” and devalues the person and his or her “inherent moral worth.” In his view, PVS diagnosis should also not be used as a criterion for ending someone’s life because of how often it is wrong.

Schindler said he describes unresponsive patients as “persons with brain injuries.”

“I don’t know why I have to label them as being a vegetable. I think it leads to an existing prejudice against these types of people,” he told CNA.

[wagglebee]

40 Days for Life daily threads by Faith.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 27 - ALL CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM GOD.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 28 - EVERY LIFE IS PRECIOUS.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 29 - LOVE WHAT GOD LOVES---LIFE!

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 30 - AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM . . .

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 31 - ABORTION IS ALWAYS A TRAGEDY.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 32 - GOD CREATED ALL HUMAN LIFE.

How great is our God, the Creator---the Author and Giver of life?
BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER!
Pray for God’s help in ending abortion, and in establishing a culture that supports life in America.
40 Days for Life consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion,
40 days of constant, peaceful vigil outside abortion centers and Planned Parenthood offices
and 40 days of active pro-life community outreach.

"They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters... and the land was polluted with blood. Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and He abhorred his heritage; he gave them into the hands of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power. (See Psalm 106:37-43)

Your community may be participating in this prayerful vigil.
If so, please join others in your area
or unite with thousands across America
in these 40 days during Lent
as we pray for an end to abortion in this nation.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 22, 2005, was Day 5 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

ABC, CBS and NBC Evening News Coverage Favors Those Who Would Stop Feeding Disabled Woman

From March 22, 2005 (Media Research Center)

Slanting the News Against Terri Schiavo

A new Media Research Center study finds the three broadcast network evening newscasts have tilted their recent coverage of the Terri Schiavo case in ways that bolster her husband Michael’s arguments that the severely disabled woman is in an irreversible vegetative state and had clearly expressed a desire to die.

But network reporters have attempted to debunk arguments made by her parents — namely that some doctors believe she could be helped and that Mrs. Schiavo, a Catholic, would not want her feeding tube disconnected.

(continue reading . . .)

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 22, 2005, was Day 5 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

ABC, CBS and NBC Evening News Coverage Favors Those Who Would Stop Feeding Disabled Woman

From March 22, 2005 (Media Research Center)

Slanting the News Against Terri Schiavo

A new Media Research Center study finds the three broadcast network evening newscasts have tilted their recent coverage of the Terri Schiavo case in ways that bolster her husband Michael’s arguments that the severely disabled woman is in an irreversible vegetative state and had clearly expressed a desire to die.

But network reporters have attempted to debunk arguments made by her parents — namely that some doctors believe she could be helped and that Mrs. Schiavo, a Catholic, would not want her feeding tube disconnected.

(continue reading . . .)

[Saundra Duffy]

I will never forget what they did to Terri. Never.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Grimmy]

I wonder if someone with standing can push for a case of the judge(s) that allowed this being involved as accessories in a murder for profit scheme?

[Dante3]

bttt

[wagglebee]

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 23, 2005, was Day 6 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

U.S. Judge Rejects Feeding-Tube Appeal in Schiavo Case

From March 23, 2005 (New York Times)

A federal judge refused Tuesday to order the re-insertion of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, denying an emergency request from the brain-damaged Florida woman's parents.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge James Whittemore (pictured) came after feverish action by President George W. Bush and Congress on legislation allowing her contentious case to be reviewed by federal courts.

The judge said the 41-year-old woman's parents had not established a "substantial likelihood of success" at trial on the merits of their arguments.

(continue reading . . .)

ALERT! Terri's Foundation Issues Media Release: Five Years Later, Terri Schiavo Mocked on FOX Prime Time (click here to continue reading . . .)

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 23, 2005, was Day 6 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

U.S. Judge Rejects Feeding-Tube Appeal in Schiavo Case

From March 23, 2005 (New York Times)

A federal judge refused Tuesday to order the re-insertion of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, denying an emergency request from the brain-damaged Florida woman's parents.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge James Whittemore (pictured) came after feverish action by President George W. Bush and Congress on legislation allowing her contentious case to be reviewed by federal courts.

The judge said the 41-year-old woman's parents had not established a "substantial likelihood of success" at trial on the merits of their arguments.

(continue reading . . .)

ALERT! Terri's Foundation Issues Media Release: Five Years Later, Terri Schiavo Mocked on FOX Prime Time (click here to continue reading . . .)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Lesforlife]

I have 2 books I’ve created with Macbook - a comprehensive
photo essay of the month of desperately trying to save Terri.

I sent one to her wonderful family - to help them remember
all those who struggled so valiantly to save their beautiful
daughter.

If there is an interest, I’m willing to print more and ship.

[wagglebee]

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 24, 2005, was Day 7 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

Schiavo Parents Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

From March 24, 2005 (CNN)

Gov. Bush's effort returns to court that ordered tube removal

A lawyer for Mary and Bob Schindler -- who are fighting to have their daughter Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reinserted -- filed an appeal late Wednesday with the U.S. Supreme Court, which in the past has refused to hear the case.

The parents' appeal to the nation's highest court came hours after a federal court in Atlanta twice rejected appeals seeking reinsertion of the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube.

(continue reading . . .)

Media Release: Outcry from Across the County Continues Over FOX's 'Family Guy' Attack on Terri Schiavo (Click here to contact FOX Broadcasting!)

Bobby Schindler will be a guest on Faith2Action with Janet Porter today at 2 PM and also The Drew Mariani Show at 3:30 PM. Click here to how you can listen!

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 24, 2005, was Day 7 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

Schiavo Parents Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

From March 24, 2005 (CNN)

Gov. Bush's effort returns to court that ordered tube removal

A lawyer for Mary and Bob Schindler -- who are fighting to have their daughter Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reinserted -- filed an appeal late Wednesday with the U.S. Supreme Court, which in the past has refused to hear the case.

The parents' appeal to the nation's highest court came hours after a federal court in Atlanta twice rejected appeals seeking reinsertion of the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube.

(continue reading . . .)

Media Release: Outcry from Across the County Continues Over FOX's 'Family Guy' Attack on Terri Schiavo (Click here to contact FOX Broadcasting!)

Bobby Schindler will be a guest on Faith2Action with Janet Porter today at 2 PM and also The Drew Mariani Show at 3:30 PM. Click here to how you can listen!

[Dante3]

bttt

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 25, 2005, was Day 8 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

A Turning Point in the Culture War

From March 25, 2005 (WorldNetDaily)

By David Limbaugh

Terri Schiavo's medical condition is in dispute, she left no living will, we don't know her present wishes, and yet the courts are ordering that her husband has the right to kill her? This outrage simply couldn't happen in a culture that considered human life sacred.

"Objection," you say. "The courts are exhibiting their ultimate respect for life by carrying out the wishes of a person to terminate her own life and die with dignity."

(continue reading . . .)

Media Release: Outcry from Across the County Continues Over FOX's 'Family Guy' Attack on Terri Schiavo (Click here to contact FOX Broadcasting!)

Family of Terri Schiavo Calls for FOX to End "The Family Guy" After Parody (Click here to watch video!)

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 25, 2005, was Day 8 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

A Turning Point in the Culture War

From March 25, 2005 (WorldNetDaily)

By David Limbaugh

Terri Schiavo's medical condition is in dispute, she left no living will, we don't know her present wishes, and yet the courts are ordering that her husband has the right to kill her? This outrage simply couldn't happen in a culture that considered human life sacred.

"Objection," you say. "The courts are exhibiting their ultimate respect for life by carrying out the wishes of a person to terminate her own life and die with dignity."

(continue reading . . .)

Media Release: Outcry from Across the County Continues Over FOX's 'Family Guy' Attack on Terri Schiavo (Click here to contact FOX Broadcasting!)

Family of Terri Schiavo Calls for FOX to End "The Family Guy" After Parody (Click here to watch video!)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 26, 2005, was Day 9 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

 

'Do Something' Terri Schiavo's Mom Begs Governor

From March 26, 2005 (FBW)

Standing with her family before reporters Good Friday evening, Terri Schiavo's mother sent a terse plea to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (pictured) urging him to intervene to save her daughter's life.

"Gov. Bush, you have the power to save my daughter. It's been seven days, please do something," Mary said stoically in a very brief statement outside the Pinellas Park hospice where her daughter is now in her eighth day of being starved and dehydrated per a court order which was enacted March 18.

(continue reading . . .)

 

 

Media Release: Outcry from Across the County Continues Over FOX's 'Family Guy' Attack on Terri Schiavo (Click here to contact FOX Broadcasting!)

Family of Terri Schiavo Calls for FOX to End "The Family Guy" After Parody (Click here to watch video!)

 

Remembering Terri on the Five-Year Anniversary of Her Death

Today, March 26, 2005, was Day 9 of Judge George W. Greer's court ordered slow death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Over the next two weeks we will post stories of the events that occurred on each of the 13 horrific days that Terri went without food or water. We offer this not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

-----------------------------

 

'Do Something' Terri Schiavo's Mom Begs Governor

From March 26, 2005 (FBW)

Standing with her family before reporters Good Friday evening, Terri Schiavo's mother sent a terse plea to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (pictured) urging him to intervene to save her daughter's life.

"Gov. Bush, you have the power to save my daughter. It's been seven days, please do something," Mary said stoically in a very brief statement outside the Pinellas Park hospice where her daughter is now in her eighth day of being starved and dehydrated per a court order which was enacted March 18.

(continue reading . . .)

 

 

Media Release: Outcry from Across the County Continues Over FOX's 'Family Guy' Attack on Terri Schiavo (Click here to contact FOX Broadcasting!)

Family of Terri Schiavo Calls for FOX to End "The Family Guy" After Parody (Click here to watch video!)

[Lesforlife]

Mary & Suzanne visit Terri with guards' supervision

[wagglebee]

As if there was every any question that Terri was a prisoner.

[floriduh voter]

This PALM SUNDAY on Fox News at 9:00 am, Crist v Rubio debate in Orlando, FL. Remember Crist Let Terri Die. The link here is: Crist Let My Daughter Die. (I'm having browser troubles. I'm not able to do much until I get this blankety blank Vista working. But, hello and Wednesday, Marcy 31, is Terri's Day. Orlando Salinas pre-interviewed me and I sad it was a sorry state of affairs that Terri was gone. When he went live, Orly asked me, "What did you learn from this?" FV said, "BE CAREFUL WHO YOU VOTE FOR".

What a shame all the Obama voters didn't heed my words. Obama is going to be killing seniors left and right and everyone else will not get good health care either.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!