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

[Wampus SC]

"How could anyone with an ounce of humanity make fun of the Shindler family's behavior with their own daughter?"

I take that as a somewhat rhetorical question. I no longer assume that someone has even an ounce of humanity, just because they look human. When I see someone acting like that, I take it as evidence that they don't.

[Humidston]

Absolutely rhetorical. You make a good argument as well.

[Lesforlife]

Thanks for the snaps!! I came to Florida from Colorado in October for the Prayer Vigil. I truly wanted to be there for the Terri's BD party.

Seeing the family's photos made me feel like I was there.

Love and hugs to them and to all you faithful FRIENDS.

To God be the Glory

[Cayenne]

My thoughts on these cops is they could be off regular duty and being paid by HINO on the sly.

[KDubRN]

My thoughts on these cops is they could be off regular duty and being paid by HINO on the sly.

If that be so, they sure are taking major chances by using county cop cars. There is a liability issue

[Mr. Silverback]

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....

Are you talking about the Almighty Dollar? If not, I'm afraid I'm too obtuse to catch your drift.

[Wampus SC]

"Are you talking about the Almighty Dollar? If not, I'm afraid I'm too obtuse to catch your drift."

No, I think I was too obtuse. I was talking about God. It was in reply to your "Mikey, you must really think there is no God".

The point I wanted to make, but missed, is that I think Mikey and Felos know that God exists, and have chosen to oppose Him.

[Mr. Silverback]

Interesting, and you may be right. If so, they're not just evil, but breathtakingly stupid. I mean, He's God, how do they expect to win that one? Do they think if they win enough court cases He'll just go "Well darn, my plans for humanity are foiled. I guess I'll go play golf." BTW, there's certainly good precedent for your theory. Richard Wurmbrand, the Romanian martyr, wrote a book called Marx and Satan in which he showed that Communism was Marx's way of trying to beat God.

[shhrubbery!]

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.

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.

I agree. The callousness of some people who are supposed to be "professionals" is astonishing.

Years ago I was accompanied an elderly woman to visit her comatose husband in the hospital. She called out her husband's name to him, "Frankie, Frankie," hoping he might respond to her voice.

The next thing we heard was two nurses in the hallway snickering -- very audibly -- "Frankie Avalon, Frankie Avalon."

I was too young and timid at the time to go out and give them a good tongue-lashing. No more! Anybody tries something like that in my presence again, watch out.