Terri Schiavo's Family Finds Birthday Cards Taken Down

LifeNews.com ^ | December 5, 2003 | Steven Ertelt

[nickcarraway]

Pinellas Park, FL (LifeNews.com) -- On Wednesday, supporters of Terri Schiavo joined members of her family to celebrate Terri's 40th birthday. However, like so much of Terri's story, the event was not without controversy as some cards written to Terri by disabled children were taken down shortly after they had been displayed.

As previously reported by LifeNews.com, dozens of special needs students from Margaret K. Lewis School in Panama City, Florida created birthday cards for Terri. Though they needed help from teachers and assistants to draw their cards and sign their names, that didn't stop them from letting Terri know they care.

Earlier in the day, Mary Schindler, Terri's mother, displayed the cards near Terri's bed. Later in the day, Mary returned to find that the cards had been taken down and place on a shelf out of the way.

More cards were put on display only to be removed later as well. There was no indication as to who removed the cards -- whether it was hospice staff, Terri's estranged husband Michael or a representative of him.

"I don't understand why they wouldn't allow us to display her birthday cards," said Mary Schindler. "It seems so outrageous that someone would be scared of having something as simple as a card or a kind note reach Terri."

The actions aren't unusual as this isn't the first occasion on which Terri was denied cards or gifts. Supporters have sent Terri flowers on previous occasions that were removed from her room shortly after they arrived.

Also, according to Terri's family, Michael Schiavo has prevented her before from receiving flowers.

Many supporters came Wednesday bearing gifts and several hundred people sent Terri birthday cards and while others gave balloons and cupcakes.

Some who came in person to support Terri brought special homemade items. Jeanie Dicus of California brought a hand-crafted a quilt with lavender flowers and intricate needle-work for a gift. Cheryl Ford of Florida put together a collage of photos from people around the world who support the disabled woman and her plight.

Though Terri's family was permitted to bring in a piece of cake to Terri's room (she was not fed with it) the officer on duty mocked them as they put lip gloss -- a birthday present -- on her lips.

"All of these little indignities add up to one great, giant indignity, namely treating Terri as though she were dead," said Pat Anderson, attorney for the Schindler family.

"However, Terri was under a death sentence this time last year, so this was a birthday Terri was never supposed to have, and it's encouraging to know so many people from all around the world are pulling for her," Anderson added.

Birthday greetings for Terri can be sent to The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation, 4615 Gulf Boulevard, #104-103, St. Petersburg Beach, Florida 33706.

Related web sites:

Terri's family - http://www.terrisfight.org

Pictures from the birthday party - http://www.terrisfight.org/bday

[msmagoo]

If he really believed that there's nobody in there, he'd say, "Hey, whatever you idiots want to do," sit back and watch while the stimulation had no effect whatsoever. Instead he's scared. That means he at least has doubts that his wife is vegatative, and that he wants to starve her before the issue can be resolved.

YES! EXACTLY!

[steplock]

I read the entire letter, then went back and re-read it again.

NOWHERE did I read anything about asking the nurse or anyone else that is TENDING to her needs.

Gee --- it's that word TEND again! That means the ones that are actually there doing what is required. If the table next to her bed is FULL of cards, they would have to be removed to set trays of medicines- instruments (BP etc?) or just as valid, maybe every time the nurse had to TURN the patient or TEND to her physical needs (want me to explain?) the cards fell and it was better to have them ON THE SHELF - NOT thrown away simply moved out of the way.

and before you say it, YES I do know what it would be like since I was in a coma for almost a month and I know what all goes on around. All the cards, etc I received were moved to a point AWAY from the bed.

[sweetliberty]

It's really very simple. He doesn't want people thinking of her as a person who is alive, who has feelings, who can respond to expressions of love. he wants people to believe she is a vegetable, and displays such as this affirm to others that Terri is indeed a person and that she isn't dead, as he claims she is.

[dasboot]

Though Terri's family was permitted to bring in a piece of cake to Terri's room (she was not fed with it) the officer on duty mocked them as they put lip gloss -- a birthday present -- on her lips.

I can't believe this is true; but if it is true, he/she's entitled to some unpaid, involuntary time-off. At least.

And I personally would like to do something to him/her that I can't describe on this nanny-filtered computer.

But somehow, I just can't picture that any cop would do this; it sounds made-up. I can't picture the most heartless b*****d of the 260 guys I work with doing something like that.

[Saundra Duffy]

Great pictures. It's just so sad that Terri's HINO treats her worse than a rabid dog. Thank God for the wonderful people who threw Terri a birthday party.

[Keyes2000mt]

This shows just how mean-spirited it is.

[windchime]

Seems the list of unforgiveable acts this HINO can commit are endless!

[KDubRN]

I'm now completely convinced that ALL of this sturm und drang is just white noise frantically unleashed to deflect increasing calls for an investigation into Michael Schiavo's likely responsibility for his wife's condition. Seldom has so much societal grief been occasioned by a loser seeking to avoid an attempted murder rap.

OK......I'll drop the bombshell here.
At Terri's party, people were discussing what they had done to help. One woman stated she had contacted Bernie McCabe about an investigation the night Terri collapsed. His comment, "You bring me some evidence."
Since when did the citizens in this country take on the role of private detectives or law enforcement? When people contact the LE and 6th circus up there, there is no protection. I think they have no clue as to their job descriptions. Maybe they don't know what they're supposed to do? Regardless of their profession, they just can't seem to function up there.
If anybody has any ideas on how to deal with these clowns, I'm open. Please let me know.

[KDubRN]

But somehow, I just can't picture that any cop would do this; it sounds made-up. I can't picture the most heartless b*****d of the 260 guys I work with doing something like that.

I really wish you could spend a couple hours outside hospice to see what goes on. See the cops. It's surreal. This is America. If you spend 2 hours there, you walk away totally drained. In all the years I have worked medicine, I have never been to any medical facility like this one.

[Humidston]

Please. Tell us more about what it's like. My impression was the same as dasboot.... How could anyone with an ounce of humanity make fun of the Shindler family's behavior with their own daughter? It just seemed so cold. Is this the way all the employees act?

[KDubRN]

Please. Tell us more about what it's like. My impression was the same as dasboot....

I have grown up around cops. It's difficult to comprehend why these guys act like they do in this situation. No cop I know would act like this. There was no comapssion, no back and forth banter. They kept their distance, like we were about to do some crime, and they were waiting for the takedown.
The cops sat in their cars playing solitaire on their laptops. They watched us. Many religious folks hang out there, so I can't see anybody amking a scene or becoming unruly.
Many cop cars drove in and out in an endless stream, and not always to relieve the guys on duty.
They sat and stared at us.
Anybody coming to visit a resident at hospice, had to give the name of the person they were visiting in order to get in. There were traffic cones all over.
They say there is a cop at the door to Terri's room.
Somebody was constantly lowering the thermostat in her room to 60-65 degrees. The Schindlers' complained every time they found the room cold. Somebody finally put a box over the control so nobody could adjust the temp of the room.
Many hospice workers are conditioned to death and dying. Futile care is what they provide. So, somebody in Terri's situation is what they are attuned to. Murder? In my eyes, yes. In their eyes, the right to die.
I believe there are staff there who want Terri dead as much as MS does.
We asked for Terri to be allowed to come out for a while. At first they said yes. After a half hour, one of the Schindelr's asked again. We never heard anything. I'm guessing they contacted MS and he said no.
You have to be there to fully feel what it is like.
I was so angry, I wanted to shake the cops and ask them what the hell they were doing.
For this family to be denied as many things MS has denied them is sick. This is their daughter, their sister. They can't bond with her in the normal family way. MS is a very controlling man, and has sociopathic tendencies.

[Humidston]

Thank you for your observations. I guess it's like an after action report - It's helpful to get a first person report, so that we can actually picture what's happening as if we were standng beside you.

You gave me an excellent snapshot and I really appreciate you taking the time to do so!

[cyn]

""All of these little indignities add up to one great, giant indignity, namely treating Terri as though she were dead," said Pat Anderson, attorney for the Schindler family. "

BINGO.

Terri has to be a "vegetable", a non-person, so that her death seems an act of mercy, a "death with dignity". That's what all this is about.

Otherwise the cards on the wall, flowers, religious objects, or stuffed animals would not matter! The lip gloss would not matter. Giving her routine, normal care (eg, by getting her out of bed, out of doors) would not matter. Giving her little bits of pudding or water wouldn't matter, in fact, would be NORMAL, expected.

For years, without (much?) challenge, MS, Felos, courts, and newspapers have gotten away with saying "poor" Terri is in a coma. They have to make Terri "nearly dead" in people's minds in order to kill her.

That's why I'd like that image of Terri & her mom to reach far and wide.

BTW, why aren't the life-threatening incidents against Terri being made more public -- eg, the winter clothes while she was being dehydrated, the overfilled feeding tube, the lowered thermostat?

I want to know more about the lip-gloss incident -- what was said? what on earth would an attendant policeman NEED to say in response to a caring gesture? for that matter, WHY is a policeman guarding a hospice client? (I know, I know!)

I'm angry. I know darn well you must be more so. Here's a hug, and my continued prayers for you and all fighting the battle there. I will pass this info on.

[CindyDawg]

When I remove an item to take care of someones needs, I ask first (even if they can't understand) and put things back when I'm done.

[CindyDawg]

What do you see there?

[Humidston]

Oh. So you mean you treat people with dignity?

Too bad other caregivers can't learn from people like you! Small things like asking permission send such a strong positive message to a patient. Those little gestures of hope and respect can sometimes speak volumes to someone like Terri.

Thank you, CindyDawg.

[tutstar]

Bingo!

[sisterjforteri]

He sure is. The main thing, folks, tho is, Terri somewhat celebrated her 40th birthday!!! You all did a fabulous job with everything from the photos, and it was nice to see pictures of her family smiling and enjoying the day!!! Wish we could have been there, too - too bad MN is so far from Florida! Terri has an extremely strong spirit and will to live, which is so obvious. God and the angels are always with her.

[Wampus SC]

"Mikey, Mikey, you must really think there's no God..."

I'm of the opinion that Mikey thinks there's a God, as does Felos. Which makes it even worse. If you catch my drift....

[Wampus SC]

"...the officer on duty mocked them as they put lip gloss -- a birthday present -- on her lips.

If true, that is one sick place where they have her. The man should be fired immediately and prevented from ever working again at a hospice."

Yeah, that looks better....