Replies

From http://www.blogsforterri.com

February 21, 2005
Heartfelt Comments from Reader: Told Husband was PVS, Now Takes To Restaurants and Events

I would like to express my heart felt " thank you" to all bloggers who support Terri. Ever since we moved to Florida 1 1/2 years ago I have been haunted, fearful and upset about what is taking place here in Florida. Over a year ago I cancelled my daily Orlando Sentinel because of their repeated opinionated bias against Terri's case.

I am the sole caregiver for my husband who suffered a severe closed head injury at the age of 31, over 15 years ago.

In the beginning the HMO wanted me to believe he was in a PVS state but I would go to the hospital daily and would talk and work with him til he would wiggle his thumb and when that wasn't enough I would work with him til he would track with his eyes.

He was later diagnossed with speech and motor Apraxia due to injury to his frontal lobe. The frontal lobe controls emotion, spontinaity, initiating and processing. Apraxia is having difficulty in processing a command to act even tho having the ability.Hence the difficuly for him to respond to doctors with their quick commands. It took over a year when he was home to have his feeding tube removed (hospitals are reluctant to do this since there is not enough staff to feed a patient).

I know first hand how important rehabilation is for someone who suffers from a head injury and the lack of understanding brain functions. I take my husband out as often as I can to restaurants, concerts and to cheer on our favorite sports teams after all he is still part of this society we live in. He is very content. I always joke that I have the best husband for we never argue, I always know where he is at and most importantly he mouths out "I love you" every nite for over 15 years!

In 2001 the California Supreme Court ruled that "clear and convincing evidence" must be present that those were the patient's wishes overriding a guardian. I believe the bill HB 701 authored by Rep. Baxley is very important to support .

I wish I had more time to encourage more to help Terri but I must tend to my husband and prepare to go to work. Again my heart felt thanks for all who support Terri.

Update: I forgot to add for the record in my previous post that when I ask my husband if he wants to die or if he wished to die he has always shook his head "NO".

Comment left at Hyscience post. Email: stillcarynon@earthlink.net

A message from the National Right to Live on HB 701

IF YOU'RE FROM FLORIDA, HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP TO SAVE TERRI

http://www.nrlc.org/euthanasia/Terri/Alert1252005.htm

Contact your Florida state senator and representative to sponsor and support legislation to protect Terri Shindler-Sciavo and those with disabilities like hers from starvation and dehydration.

The Florida Supreme Court threw out Terri's Law 1 because it said it dealt only with her case and therefore violated the separation of powers. But a law that covers not only Terri, but also others in similar situations, COULD be upheld.

The exact language of the best practical bill to protect Terri’s life is still being worked out, and the Schindler family and their counsel are in consultation with members of the legislature. But that is no reason to wait to contact your Florida legislators. HB701, a law that would protect Terri and others like her, has been introduced, and could later be amended with the final language. For now, Florida Representatives should be asked to co-sponsor, and Florida Senators to pledge to support, HB701, the Florida Starvation and Dehydration of Persons with Disabilities Prevention Act. For more information on the bill click here http://www.nrlc.org/euthanasia/Terri/questions_and_answers_on_hb_701.htm

A massive outpouring from their constituents is necessary to get Florida legislators to sponsor and support a protective law to save the lives of Terri and others like her. You can get contact information for your state senator and representative on www.myflorida.com