Terri responding to her mother in video clip available on terrisfight.org
Posted on 10/21/2003 1:30:32 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
Six days after Terri Schindler-Schiavo's feeding tube was removed on court order – sentencing her to a slow and painful death – the Florida House of Representatives, influenced by a massive and sustained outpouring of support for the 39-year-old brain-disabled woman, voted tonight to give Gov. Jeb Bush the power to order Terri's feeding tube re-inserted.
Legislation H35-E, known as Terri's Bill, passed House on a 68-23 vote at approximately 10:15 p.m. Eastern.
The bill "authorizes the governor to issue a one-time stay to prevent withholding of nutrition and hydration under certain circumstances; provides for expiration of stay; authorizes Governor to lift stay under certain circumstances; provides that person is not civilly liable & is not subject to regulatory or disciplinary sanctions for taking action in compliance with any such stay."
The Senate version, S 0012-E, will be debated by the state Senate at 8 a.m.
Nicole DeLara, press secretary for House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, who strongly supported the legislation, said the goal was to save Terri if at all possible, and he "remains committed to supporting legislation that would help us provide maximum protection and law for Terri and other vulnerable Floridians. And we want to see justice prevail for those who cannot speak for themselves."
However, the bill's fate in the Senate remains uncertain, due to known opposition of Senate President Jim King, a Republican representing northeast Florida coast area and Jacksonville.
Terri responding to her mother in video clip available on terrisfight.org |
The development occurred just hours after the Tallahasse-based Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities filed for an injunction to keep Schiavo alive to have time to investigate whether removal of her life-sustaining feeding tube was an act of abuse by her husband, Michael Schiavo, according to an Associated Press report.
Schiavo – who lives with another woman with whom he has a child and another on the way – cut off all access to Terri's therapy and claims he only is fulfilling wishes expressed before she suffered a sudden collapse in 1990 under mysterious circumstances.
Florida lawmakers are in the capital for a special session on economic development, and the Senate could pass the bill authorizing Bush to order the feeding tube re-inserted tomorrow.
According to AP, Byrd called the special House session today, as the governor asked to have the Schiavo issue added to the agenda.
"President King, Speaker Byrd and others in the Legislature recognize the unique and tragic circumstances of Ms. Schiavo's case, and I am hopeful the Legislature will pass a bill immediately," said Bush.
Physically attacked?
The Schindlers, who maintain a website on their daughter's case, say they have evidence Terri was physically attacked.
Gordon Scott, an attorney for the advocacy group, asked for a 10-day injunction to provide time for an investigation after he had conversations with the Schindlers and a neurologist. Scott said he is not convinced Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" as claimed by Michael Schiavo and his advocates.
Pinellas County Circuit Judge George W. Greer agreed to that assessment, however, and ordered the feeding tube removed Oct. 15.
Scott also believes, contrary to Michael Schiavo's claims, Terri is feeling pain from the starvation and dehydration.
The Schindler family said Terri appears to be in stable condition at the Pinellas Park, Fla., hospice where she resides.
"She seems to be alert,'' said her brother, Bob Schindler Jr., according to the Associated Press. "But every day that goes by, we're getting into a crucial time for her. She's got an incredible will to live."
Christine Brundage, a retired registered nurse who handles the correspondence for the Schindler family, told WorldNetDaily people who have seen Terri say she is beginning to fade, and they fear she can't hold out much longer. She is reported to be alert still and vocalizing, but her face is thinner and her skin is becoming drawn, showing the effects of five days of dehydration.
 Fla. House Speaker Johnnie Byrd |
Last week, two separate state courts rejected a motion to have the tube reinserted so law enforcement could investigate the case.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly of the Catholic Medical Association passed a resolution at its annual meeting Friday that summarizes the view of many advocates of the Schindler family.
It declared removal of Terri's feeding tube "without first undertaking rehabilitation therapy to ascertain her ability to swallow and digest nourishment" constitutes "depriving her of life without due process of law," according to Florida Statutes Section 744, 3211.
Volunteers with the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation urge all concerned Floridians to contact their senators and encourage them to support "Terri's Bill."
Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of legislators are listed on the Florida Legislature's website.
There was a time in America, not so long ago, when public officials who were put in office to protect, defend, and serve the law, upheld the law of life instead of moving with dedicated and purposeful hand to destroy it.
This is a branch off the tree of our culture of death brought on by Roe v. Wade. Its fruit is very bitter.
A big amen to that brother.
I've clled the radio stations in rage and written so many letters that I am probably as drained as the family over this.
I had a subdural hematoma that doctors (3)diagnosed as sinus infection. I carried it for 6 weeks. Finally a doctor at the emergency room ( the pain was unbearable and finally caved ) advised me to get a CAT SCAN ASAP.
The next day got the CAT SCAN and was told to report to the hospital "don't go home, don't pass go or collect your $500.00, just get to the hospital".
I didn't quite follow those instructions, and went home for pj's and toothbrush etc.
I went "under" very shortly after arriving at the hosp and the only thing I recall was someone calling my name, and for another week was in a coma w/life support. I was a little older than Terri, I was 47 but an active person for my age and when I finally came out of my coma, I found out I had suffered a couple of strokes during my surgery, along with developing an Intra-cerebral hemhorrage.
To cut to the chase, I was paralyzed on my left side and was "unable" to communicate, although, I could hear, see, and comprehend what people were telling me and saying, I could not respond.... Terri!!!
I'm now walking, talking, using my left arm and have re-taught my left hand to type.
Granted, she will never have any full function of many things, but "I DID NOT want to DIE" and I was "almost in Divorce court when this happened to me.
Her husband wants her dead and is afraid she may regain her ability to talk.
My husband and I are 32 years married now, and resolved our problems and "he could have offed-me"
It takes all kinds of people in this world and Terri has a long hard battle, but at least maybe she will be allowed some form of Re-hab and will become a loving, responsive person and will continue to live a life filled w/the love her family apparently has for her.
Please pray that the time has not been too long for her to "rehydrate and regain her body functions" again.
God Bless all in the Fla group that worked so furiously to help this poor woman, who could not speak for herself, and God bless those from the other states who flooded the air-waves and news media.
I'm a wreck and need some rest, but God HEARS us.... Bless you all.
DL
Wow. Amazing. I can imagine you are ready to call it a night. Thanks for sharing that.What a story ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.