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A Letter From Terri's Father |
Dear Friend,
In a trial initiated by Michael Schiavo (Terri Schindler-Schiavo’s husband and legal guardian), a verdict was issued by Circuit Court Judge, George W. Greer, on February 11, 2000. Judge Greer granted authorization to stop feeding Terri. Judge Greer’s verdict will cause Terri to die in 10 to 14 days. Terri will die of starvation. As Terri’s father, I have been designated as spokesperson for the family and more important, as a voice for Terri appealing to you to join us in our efforts to reverse this travesty of justice. We have to save Terri’s life. Essentially, Terri has been sentenced to death. We do not understand how, in a civilized society, Terri’s life was even put on trial. Terri has not committed a felony, or any crime. Terri has not desecrated any commandment of God. Terri has not violated any of society’s laws. Terri’s only culpability is ironic. She has made herself vulnerable because of a $750K medical fund that she acquired via a medical malpractice lawsuit payable to her inheritor when she dies. Terri has no will. The inheritor is her husband. The precedence that Terri’s trial and ensuing verdict establishes should frighten everyone. Basically, any person that is impaired, who cannot speak their mind, is vulnerable to be legally executed. In Terri’s case, where money is the motivation, the risk increases substantially. This ruling could potentially open the door to eventually include everyone who is a burden to his or her caretaker or a drain on the state. The court’s verdict endorsees a current movement attempting to legalize euthanasia in the United States. After hearing Judge Greer’s verdict, our family reacted with a variety of emotions. The thought of our daughter’s death by starvation is inexpressible. There is also empathy for the parents and families of murder victims. Particularly when the person guilty of committing the crime goes on trial and is acquitted due to dishonest testimony given by witnesses under an oath of God. The frustration must be unbearable. There is hope for Terri to recover! She displays the exact characteristics as described by all the callers. Her husband does not want anyone to believe that Terri is a living human being who consistently responds when stimulated. He is well aware that he has denied Terri any opportunity to recover for the past eleven years. Before we can concentrate on assisting Terri’s recovery, the immediate priority is to stop Terri’s execution. We have to keep Terri alive. We are dedicated to preserve Terri’s life. Terri does not deserve to have her precious life cut short. Please help us. We cannot do this alone. Please join our family and make this a community effort to overturn this cruel verdict. We must challenge this miscarriage of justice. Hopefully someday, Terri will personally thank you.
Terri’s trial has attracted national media coverage. People have responded from across the country offering their support. There have been communications from people who also have family members impaired by brain damage and have recovered. They relate scenarios where their family member was in the identical situation as Terri. Like Terri, their child/sister would smile, laugh, cry, moan, show signs of recognition and appear as if they were trying to speak. In every case, the Neurologist interpreted these actions as reflex. In every case, the Neurologist prognosis indicated that there was absolutely no chance of recovery. Remarkably and contrary to the negative diagnosis, they report that there was recovery. Most notable was a young man who walks daily, unassisted, on a treadmill, and a woman, who after 20 years, has fully recovered. Also, we have the recently publicized case of Patti WhiteBull who recovered after 16 years, and Terry Wallis, who recovered after 19 years in a condition similar to my daughter.
With heartfelt thanks,
Robert Schindler Sr.
Click here to read about Terri as told by her brother, Bobby.
Click here to read about Terri as told by her sister, Suzanne.
the terri schindler-schiavo foundation
4615 gulf blvd # 104-103, saint petersburg beach, fl 33706
tax id number 23-3031168