[angelwings49]

I apologize if this has already been posted, but I just read it for the first time myself, and wanted to share it with you... (Note: What a bunch of BS!!!)

Statement By Michael Schiavo

Published: Oct 20, 2003

Last Wednesday, my wife's feeding tube was removed.
For over 6 years, I have struggled with the Schindlers in court. On Wednesday, I joined them in grief. I understand what the Schindlers are going through at this time. I feel the same loss.

For years after this happened to Terri, I tried desperately to find a cure for her. I went from one doctor to another. Almost all of them told me there was no possibility she would recover. Any doctor that gave me a glimmer of hope that some new treatment or therapy would work was given free reign with Terri. I would do anything to make her well.

I took Terri to California. I stayed with her while doctors performed an experimental procedure to implant electrodes in her brain to stimulate its function. I spent months working with her - hopeful of a cure. Months later, the doctors told me the electrodes were not working.

I took Terri to Mediplex, in Bradenton, Florida, which is a residential rehabilitation facility that specializes in brain injuries. She spent months there in intensive physical, speech, and occupational therapy and testing.

Finally, the doctors and therapist told me and the Schindlers they could do nothing more for her. I hired a private duty aide 8 hours a day to take Terri on outings to parks and museums trying to stimulate her - looking for any sign of life, any flicker of hope. There was none - ever.

Over the years, I had three swallowing tests performed on Terri in the hope that some of the therapies would allow her to be weaned off the feeding tube. The test all showed no change, and I was advised she could not swallow food. Even now, the nursing home staff says that sometimes Terri gags and chokes on the moisture from the swabs they use to moisten her lips.

The reports you heard from nursing home aides that Terri was responsive years ago are not true. I would give anything if they were. Those aides cared for Terri during the time that I was desperately seeking a cure for her. I was so frustrated that I could not help Terri. I am sure that I was sometimes unkind to the aides - even shouted at them. This was not because I wanted Terri dead, but because I desperately wanted her alive. I blamed myself because I could not bring her back.

It seemed to me, during that time, that the aides never did enough for Terri. Some days they did not put her makeup on. I would storm into the nursing home insisting that they do so. I knew Terri always wanted to look her best. Sometimes, the aides did not get her dressed and sitting up until late in the morning. They did not always get her hair combed. They sometimes failed to give her vitamins and medications on time. At each of those failures, I became enraged and lashed out. I felt so helpless. Each small infraction reminded me how powerless I was to really help Terri. I admit that I yelled at the aides and I am now deeply sorry for that behavior. Much like the Schindlers now, I stubbornly resisted and suggestion that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state and would never get better.

I never wanted Terri to die. I still don't. After more than seven years of desperately searching for a cure for Terri, the death of my own mother helped me realize that I was fooling myself. More important, I was hiding behind my hope, and selfishly ignoring Terri's wishes. I wanted my wife to be with me so much that I denied her true condition.

Terri told me on several occasions before this happened that she would not want to live in her current condition. If we had been older, I am sure she would have signed a living will making it clear that she did not to be kept alive on tubes and machines. She never had the chance.

That left me to carry out her wishes. It has been hard. In fact, it is the hardest thing I have ever done. In the end, I did what I believe Terri would have wanted me to do.

Some people do not agree with the decisions the court made to remove Terri's feeding tube. I struggle to accept it myself. But I know in my heart that it is right, and it is what Terri wants. There is no longer any realistic hope of Terri's recovery. Perhaps there never was, but I had to try - just as the Schindlers have tried. The reality is that Terri left us 13 years ago, and none of us can bring her back.

Terri's parents and family may visit with her as much as they choose in the days to come. I, and my friends and relatives, will be there as well to spend time with Terri, as we all grieve. Please pray for us all.

[FITZ]

Statement By Michael Schiavo

I notice he doesn't mention his lover or her wishes. He's committing adultery all the time he professes to "know" Terri's wishes. It's too dangerous to have a cheating spouse who has his eyes on your money in charge of your life ---- making the decision to let you live or force you to die. With Terri gone, he and the lover get a whole lot of money to enjoy.

[honeygrl]

"I wanted my wife to be with me so much that I denied her true condition. "

He means with him and his girlfriend, I guess.

I gotta hand it to him though.. he does do well at sounding convincing.

[MagnoliaMS]

WHERE did you find this? What a bunch of self-serving crapola. Where was this printed?

[MHGinTN]

It would be more honest to edit M. Schiavo's words to read, "I, and my friends and relatives, will be there as well to spend time with Territhe stubborn bitch, as we all grieve Schiavos celebrate my coming windfall and safety from prosecution."

[Lovergirl]

He's a LIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. I will believe her parents over him any day.. He makes me sick. I hope he suffers the same end as he has had Terri suffer. He's an A$$hole.

[The Red Zone]

Perhaps there never was, but I had to try - just as the Schindlers have tried.

What fragrant bovine instestinal spew! Michael forbade all attempts at rehab.

[PleaseNoMore]

I blamed myself because I could not bring her back.

Surely Felos can do better with his client than this. I read an article during the beginning of the Laci Peterson and it dealt with statements. How people say things and in what tense they refer to others is very telling to investigators.

Another sign to me that this is pure BS is that for the 7 years he was "trying so hard" to get Terri help he has been engaged to another woman and they have had a child. I will call this what I think it is. Pure unadulterated BS. It isn't even convincing.

BTW, Michael, I AM praying for you. I am praying for your eternal soul.

[MarMema]

She is gagging from being dehydrated. Why was the priest not allowed to give her last rites?

I feel like gagging after reading this, but thanks.

[syriacus]

Michael's letter was well-crafted to evoke sympathy until the point where he blames the court for deciding to remove the tube.

Michael Schiavo wrote :

Some people do not agree with the decisions the court made to remove Terri's feeding tube. I struggle to accept it myself.