Thank you for a beautiful celebration of Life for Terri Schindler-Schiavo


The following photographs were taken by Floriduh Voter on December 12, 2004. On that Sunday afternoon, family, friends, supporters and advocates of Terri Schindler-Schiavo gathered to honor her day of birth and celebrate her life. The following thumbnails will 'pop' into a new browser window. We extend our thanks to everyone who attended, to those who sent greetings and prayers and to everyone who has befriended this family in their struggle to protect their daughter's life and liberty.
	Terri 41st Birthday Celebration of Life Sunday, December 12, 2004 Guest of Honor, Terri Schindler-Schiavo, was not in attendance at the picnic in the park, but Terri’s parents and siblings visited with her beforehand. The get together at Helen Howarth Park was a celebration of thanksgiving that Terri Schindler-Schiavo lives still. She became 41 years of age on December 3rd. A mass was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Largo, Florida on December 3rd. The Sunday, December 12th Celebration was a multi-denominational get together and reunion for Terri’s supporters with her parents Bob and Mary, sister Suzanne and brother Bob, Jr. The mood was festive in the park, under the tall pines with splashes of sunlight peeking through from the west. It was a good turnout. I would be remiss not to mention party guests who have survived comas, serious accidents and other health care scares, including Angel Watson who used to fly for the Air Force until a skiing accident. Angel is an advocate now and has fulfilled many of her dreams in spite of the split second that everything changed. She said to the crowd that folks with disabilities can "max out" their potential, find their way if given the opportunity, and strive to live life to the fullest. It is her personal wish for Terri. There were posters of Terri, and posters of Terri’s volunteers, birthday cards and hand-outs. The local ABC affiliate was there in the form of a photojournalist and the local CBS affiliate sent one or two crew to cover the "Schindler" Pavilions #5 and #6. A Baptist Conference reporter was on scene and some incognito folks were taking notes as well. For appetites brought on by the chill in the air, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, pickles and all manner of chips were served buffet style. There were two large Birthday Cakes with flower icing in purple, Terri’s favorite color. The big card I made on Sunday morning with tag board and lace matched up well with the cakes. Special guests came from California, Wayne Galley (singer-keyboardist-songwriter), two Brothers in traditional garb from an abbey in Minnesota, a husband and wife from Michigan who brought pictures of their daughter who is disabled. Mrs. Michigan mentioned that they care for their daughter back home the way the Schindlers long to care for Terri. Their daughter even goes to amusement parks. A Terri supporter came all the way from West Palm Beach last night to lay claim to the Pavilions for the Schindler Party at Helen Howarth Park. Reservations are at "dawn". Period. It got a little sentimental. It didn’t feel as if we were outside at all - the party had a glow and ambiance as if we were in a ballroom at a swanky hotel. Hmmmmmm. Amazing grace perhaps? Cheryl Ford and floriduh voter (me) helped professional musician Wayne Galley subbing as backup singers. It’s always fun to flirt with show biz, but especially with Wayne makin‘ it easy for the two of us to know when to start and for the audience's sake, when to stop. Lots of speakers came forward. Their pictures can be right clicked to see at properties what or who it is. Former Judicial candidate Jan Govan was also there. He’s achieved celebrity status it seems since the August 31st election wherein he was a high vote getter, although sad sack figure Judge Greer is the ultimate insider. At the celebration today, Govan even signed an autograph for a young lady who will be eligible to vote in a few years. He was surrounded by well wishers throughout the afternoon. Govan spoke to the crowd about Living Wills. There Is no turning back if you check the wrong boxes and he reported that since Terri’s situation increased public awareness regarding the option of choosing life, will clients are paying more attention to what they are signing and check marking so they don’t inadvertently agree to their own suicide through starvation/dehydration or other means. This being the case, in my opinion, Terri is saving other lives. Just think of it. It is good that we have time to experience some of the joy that Christmas brings but of course vigilance remains until Terri is completely out of harm’s way, re-learning how to live. Terri needs her life back, not taken from her. Terri has many admirers and hundreds of friends, many who may never meet her face to face. I am honored to live nearby, to know her family and to treasure friendships that never would have been but for divine inspiration bringing us and keeping us all together in His Name. A guest speaker all the way from Minnesota reminded us that because we are created in His image, taking someone's life is "killing God". Please remember his words. Terri’s Celebration of Life was a celebration of every life. Rejoice. Floriduh Voter at free republic.com http://www.conservative-spirit.org
This is Brother Anthony from Minnesota. He and Brother Paul of the Franciscans traveled just to be here with Terri's family.

This is Buffy. She is an Asian Chicken who has been present at many gatherings with Terri's supporters and friends. She is the mother hen!

Beautiful cakes for friends who gathered with Terri's family.

A giant card to be given to Terri to keep in her room.

Just part of the gathering of people who came to celebrate Terri's life.

Terri's friend and spiritual provider, Monsignor Malanowski.

Paulette sings.

Pictures of Terri.

The ever-growing portrait of people who join Terri's family in support of her rights.

Singer-Songwriter Wayne Galley who traveled across the US to be with Terri's family on this special day. He produced a CD to benefit her foundation.

People listening to performer Wayne Galley

Attorney Barbara Weller discusses Terri's situation and what people can do to protect themselves from forced exit.

Posters both, informative and sentimental, designed and donated by Terri's supporters.

The amazing Angel Watson, disability advocate and survivor of PVS diagnosis.

Brothers Anthony and Paul speak about human rights and love for all people.

Dr. Jan Craddock reads a poem about life and its worth.

Attorney Patricia Anderson speaks about the laws affecting vulnerable Florida citizens.

Jan Govan, who ran opposite of Judge George W. Geer, talks about his reasons for getting involved.

Terri's beloved mother, Mary, addresses the gathering while the rest of the Schindler family listens.

What you can do
Please visit www.terrisfight.org to learn more about Terri's story. Please tell others about her plight.

Terri Schiavo birthday party without guest of honor Published December 16, 2004

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Bob and Mary Schindler hold up one of two birthday cakes for their daughter, Terri Schiavo, who is at the center of a “right-to-die” debate. The party was hosted by www.Terrisfight.org

PINELLAS PARK (FBW)–Family and friends of a 41-year-old disabled woman at the center of a “right-to-die” dispute met at a park pavilion Dec. 12 to celebrate her Dec. 2 birthday.

The guest of honor was unable to attend.

Locked away in a Pinellas Park nursing home about 10 blocks away, Terri Schiavo is not allowed to leave her room. She’s been ordered to be starved to death twice. Her visits with her family are limited and she is not allowed to be involved in any kind of rehabilitiation.

In a case pro-life advocates say may decide the future of euthanasia in the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court may have the final say as to whether Terri Schiavo, a disabled woman living in Florida, lives or dies.

Lawyers for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush filed an appeal with the high court Dec. 1, asking the justices to take the case and overturn a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court that could lead to her death.

The woman at the center of the legal debate, Schiavo has been in what some doctors consider a persistent vegetative state since 1990, when she collapsed in her home. Her husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo – who has fathered two children with his live-in girlfriend – has sought the removal of his wife’s feeding tube for nearly a decade, saying it is what she would have wanted. However, no written request from Terri Schiavo exists.

Terri Schiavo’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have long maintained that their daughter has not received the rehabilitation and care she requires.

Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed in October 2003, but the Florida legislature passed a law giving Bush the authority to order the re-insertion of the tube. He did so, and Michael Schiavo challenged the constitutionality of the law.

Terri’s siblings, Robert “Bobby” Schindler Jr. and Suzanne Vitadamo, and Suzanne’s daughter, Alex Carr, 11, joined attorneys, health care workers, ministers and others in the park to sing “Happy Birthday,” listen to special music and hear an update from a Schindler attorney on strategy related to guardianship matters before the state’s appellate court.

Angel Watson, who works with the Caring & Sharing Center for Independent Living in Tampa shared her story about being disabled after a skiing accident which resulted in her being considered in a “persistent vegetative state.”

Terri Schiavo needs therapy, Watson said.

“We need to get Terri out of the one little room that she’s stuck in,” Watson said. “Each and every one of you are her voice. Use it!”

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Angel Watson, from the Caring & Sharing Center for Independent Living in Tampa, spoke about a skiing accident which left her paralyzed and how her family had to decide whether to “pull the plug.”

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Young supporters of Terri Schiavo were among nearly 150 who attended her birthday party to listen to music, poems and testimonies about her life.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Mary Schindler, Terri Schiavo’s mother, sings “Happy Birthday” for her disabled daughter.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Thaddeus Malanowski (r), a retired military chaplain and a Catholic priest who visits Terri Schiavo, talks with a musician about his unlikely friendship with Elvis Presley in 1956-58 when both men were in the U.S. Army at Bad Nauheim, Germany, and Presley confided to him after the death of his mother. The musician, Wayne Galley, a native of Australia, shares a bit of his own past--which has included being a bodyguard for superstar Michael Jackson until just after Jackson’s arrest in 2004.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Alex Carr, 11, Bob and Mary Schindler’s granddaughter and Terri Schiavo’s niece, helps clean up after the birthday party for her disabled aunt.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Suzanne Vitadamo (r) wipes a tear after she mounts the platform with her family to thank guests for attending the celebration. Vitadamo credited her mother and father with saving Terri’s life again and again, and perservering in the face of great pain and disappointment.

Lawyers for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush filed an appeal with the high court Dec. 1, asking the justices to take the case and overturn a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court that could lead to her death.

Terri Schiavo’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have long maintained that their daughter has not received the rehabilitation and care she requires.

Terri Schiavo needs therapy, Watson said.

“We need to get Terri out of the one little room that she’s stuck in,” Watson said. “Each and every one of you are her voice. Use it!”

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/3627.article

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