Ending Life Humanely (Ed Koch on Terri Schiavo)

Newsmax ^ | Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003 | Edward I. Koch

[TigersEye]

The life of Terry Schiavo, a Florida woman who has been living in a vegetative state for 13 years, ... Ed Koch

Not according to this medical professional specializing in cognitive speech pathology:

Pathologist's statement in Terri Schiavo case

5. Based on my experience and my observations, Mrs. Schiavo is clearly aware of her environment and interacts with it, albeit inconsistently. She is able to comprehend spoken language, and can, at least inconsistently, follow simple one-step commands. This is documented both in the MediPlex records and in the following behaviors noted in the following video segments:

10. It is not my opinion that Mrs. Schiavo is in a coma or in a persistent vegetative state. In my opinion, she exhibits purposeful though inconsistent reactions to her environment, particularly her family. Her eye movements, easily observed on the videotape, are particularly suggestive that she recognized family members and responded. She also appeared to have sufficient sustained attention to track a balloon. It is not my opinion that these behaviors are merely reflexive. The entire range of behaviors listed above, and each and every one of them, are inconsistent with a diagnosis of persistent vegetative state.

This was taken from an affadavit given by Sara Green Mele, MS, CCC-SLP. The first three paragraphs give an overview of her experience and qualifications.

[TigersEye]

On the issue of removing a feeding tube as a means of ending a person’s life, if we were putting a dog down,...

At least Ed is clear on what Physician Assisted Suicide is.

[manna]

Thank you, Mayor Koch!

[Graybeard58]

...I don't know how any caring human being could look at the smile on Terri's face in the second picture in message # 18 and say this woman should die.
...Also can't believe that Ed Koch watched his brother die of uremia poisoning and say that is an acceptable way to die. I have seen it and it is horrible. Almost anything would be preferable to that.
...The friend I saw die of this was terribly bloated and yellow for about three days, her face was so bloated that her eyes were never closed. I tend to look at the reality of death instead of an abstract and idealized version of it.
...There are two positions on Terri and my mind is made up (read that closed if you want to) and I'm not going to change anybodies mind on the subject either

[rneilwhitt]

She is not in a vegetative state. When you go to the grocery store to buy vegetables do they look at you? Do they try to talk? They might try with you but I've only seen it happen on Sesame street and I suspect it was a trick being played on me!!!!!!!!!

[rneilwhitt]

BOYCOTT FLORIDA! NOW! I was born there and I am ashamed of my home state. I live in N.M. now and I am initiating my own personal boycott. No juice, fruit nor any goods nor services of any sort. I have been e-mailing their Chambers of Commerce to inform them. HIT THEM IN THEIR POCKETBOOKS WHERE IT COUNTS. Their ultimate god is mammon.

[sfRummygirl]

It is interresting to see the evolution in his opinion. I'm glad that he lastly does not want her to be starved, and questions the husband's loyalty.
I really can't stand how the 'right to die' movement is moving towards systimatically killing the disabled, though. This frightens me terribly.

[Coleus]

Sorry about the knee-jerk reaction type of comment I made where I didn't fully read the article. I really don't like Koch and am just sick and tired of hearing him after all these years.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Thanks for taking the time to explain, I can empathize.

[pc93]

Please participate in getting the word out and have others participate in the same manner in the Terri Schindler Life Ribbon Campaign.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm