Parents ask judge to let Schiavo divorce husband/Jacksonville

The Florida Times Union ^ | 3/1/05 | PAUL PINKHAM

[cyn]

A Jacksonville victim rights group and a state legislator urged Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday to launch a criminal probe into events that put Terri Schiavo in the hospital with severe brain damage 15 years ago.

Justice Coalition founder Ted Hires also asked the state Department of Children & Families to take Schiavo into protective custody and Florida's attorney general to initiate a civil rights investigation into her treatment and efforts by her husband to have the feeding tube that keeps her alive removed. . . .

Her parents said they filed the divorce proceedings because of Michael Schiavo's "total disregard for Terri as his wife." ....

[cyn]

This is a good article. I tried to excerpt judiciously, but had to keep cutting, so please go to the Times Union site to read the rest.

Times-Union writers Jeff Brumley and J.T. Rushing and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Schindlers were in Jacksonville for a press conference with the Justice Coalition, a local court watchers group. Speakers included Ted Hires of the JC, FL Senator Stephen Wise, FL Rep. Don Davis, and Bishop Victor Galeone of the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine .

In addition to the above, other points made: Terri is indeed responsive (meaning that her guardian is willfully misrepresenting her), that she is not being given ordinary care due to any other person in her situation, (which is the basis for the DCF), that her husband, Michael Schiavo has left Terri and taken up with a woman he describes as his fiancee, with whom he has two children, and he should be removed as an unfit guardian.

Terri's father, Bob, told about his visit Friday 2/25*, to her in the company of the attorney David Gibbs. Terri could not take her eyes off Gibbs, totally ignoring her father, which of course lead him to tease her. He talked about her sour face when he goes to kiss her. Her mother told about her being denied a swallowing test, even though they are mandated -- part of the ordinary care that has been denied Terri.

Her family was presented with a purple stuffed bunny which they promised to give to Terri.

*An account of that visit was posted here on Free Republic 2/25 and will be reposted below.

[bobjam]

I wonder if anyone will be excommunicated over this.

[cyn]

My personal abbreviated account -- lol, newsperson I am not!

It was a good gathering and I met some good people there, including talking with the Schindlers, whom I had met in St. Petersburg in October '03. I did not get to talk with Sen. Wise to thank him for being there -- and THANK YOU to all who were there for Terri.

Weather was ok -- it was real windy on the courthouse steps, but at least no rain! I did take photos, which may end up posted here down thread.

Check this out: Gators for Terri -- http://www.gatorsforterri.org/ -- my reptilian skin seems to be growing back despite those years out of state!

[Brian Sears]

Hello Everyone.

Just wanted to give you some info. This is the contact info for the judge who seems to have the jurisdiction for the Terry Schaivo case.

Judge George Greer
Judge Greer
Room 484, 315 Court Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Primary Phone: (727) 464-3933

Call him and tell him not to allow the murder of Terri Schaivo

[jbane]

I'm probably being politically incorrect, but I think her husband probably did know her wishes and her parents should not interfere. The doctors say she is brain dead and so there really isn't a point in keeping her alive against her wishes.

What's more, you don't see her priest or bishop coming out against her husband.

It looks to me more like the parents can't accept their daughter's predicament and are inflicting pain and suffering on everyone in their effort to save what's left of their daughter.

[cyn]

This is a still shot taken from a video
that shows Terri responding as her mother
fusses over her as only a mom can do.

Terri and her Mom

This and other videos may be seen at
http://www.terrisfight.org

Terri's guardian, Michael Schiavo,threatened
the Schindlers for showing these photos
of a very much responsive Terri,
citing privacy concerns.

Meanwhile, in an Oct. '03 Larry King Live interview
he gave explicit details of her hygiene and gynecologic status.

[cyn]

Let's first address the issue of if her husband is a fit guardian and a creditable spokesperson for her.

The fact that Terri is not even allowed to take the swallowing test is an obvious concern, as is the fact that she is not given the ordinary care given to other patients in her condition.

I want to know that Terri is allowed to enjoy that bunny, and that it will not be callously discarded, as are flowers, Christmas cards, birthday & get well cards, and other things that have been sent to her.

[FRepublican]

Are you a sheeple who thinks AP or NBC or whomever just report the unbiased facts?

Are you unable to use logic to come to the conclusion that the "husband" wants her dead because he has moved on?

Does a husband shack up with a woman, father and raise two kids with this shack-up honey, and make plans to marry her once his wife is dead strike you as a loving husband/guardian who has the best interest of his mentally handicapped wife in mind?

Have you ever seen the very recent video of Terri laughing and interacting with people and a ballon? Brain-dead people do not do that.

Perhaps you are not as informed on this situation as you think you are.

[Conservatrix]

You are not just being politically incorrect, you are being totally ignorant of the facts surrounding the case. Terri Schiavo is NOT brain dead. She is brain damaged, likely by the husband who now wants her to shrivel and die so he can get a million bucks in insurance money. THIS WOMAN IS NOT BRAIN DEAD. CHOOSE LIFE!

[ASA Vet]

I'm probably being politically incorrect

No, in fact your position is pc. It's pc to advocate the murder of innocents.

[stopem]

The doctors say she is brain dead and so there really isn't a point in keeping her alive against her wishes.

It is my understanding that a person who is "brain-dead" does not move and respond as Terri does. I doubt doctors said she was brain dead.

I cringed at the suggestion of euthanizing people in her condition and the elderly (to contain costs).

This person she unfortunately married needs to get out and stay out of the picture as he does NOT have her best interest at heart all he wants is money.

[meanie monster]

God save Terri! I never ask for anything, so grant me this one wish, Amen.

[jbane]

It is my understanding that a person who is "brain-dead" does not move and respond as Terri does. I doubt doctors said she was brain dead. That is incorrect. Patients in persistent vegetative states move randomly and it is very unsettling to see. It appears to be normal movement, but it is random. Eight doctors have said that she is brain dead. How many do you need?

[cyn]

Bob Schindler confirmed your 2/25 post
visit to Terri at the press conference here yesterday:

Attorney David Gibbs visited Terri last night with the dad, Bob Schindler. Cheryl Ford wrote the following:

Terri goes Goo~Goo eyes over Attorney Gibbs

By Cheryl Ford RN

February 25, 2005

Last night at hospice Terri's father, Robert Schindler and Attorney Gibbs visited with Terri. Mr. Schindler was the first to enter Terri's room, approaching Terri on her right. As always, Terri was delighted to see her Dad until Mr. Schindler announced that Mr. Gibbs was with him.

Mr. Gibbs moved closer to Terri's left greeting her with, "Hello Terri."

Terri, hearing Mr. Gibb's deep voice immediately turned to her left to look at him. Terri's Dad stated that once she eyed Mr. Gibbs that was the end of his visit with her because she was no longer interested in anything he had to say to her..."she was goo-goo eyes over Attorney Gibbs."

Mr. Schindler then exclaimed, "Terri, Terri, look at me. I've come here to see you as well and now you cannot take your eyes off of Attorney Gibbs, what am I chopped liver?" Terri responded with laughter to her father's comment but her eyes remained focused on Mr. Gibbs.

Bob said,"Well, Cheryl that's the last time I will be taking Mr. Gibbs along with me since my daughter did not hear anything I had to say once he had her attention.

[mware]

What's more, you don't see her priest or bishop coming out against her husband.

On the contrary, Priests for Life have come out strongly in support of Terri and her parents.

[jbane]

On the contrary, Priests for Life have come out strongly in support of Terri and her parents.

No, I said her priest. Not the head of a political cause.

[mware]

Her priest was actually denied permission to give her the Eucharist the last time they tried to kill her. He was threatened with arrest.

He is in fact supporting the family.

[Glacier Honey]

This has nothing to do with being politically correct.

Please go to her web site to learn the facts.

Had she been brain dead, she would not be alive today. People who are brain dead usually cannot survive without a ventilator.

She and her husband did not discuss their wishes. At the malpractice trial - he sued for money to take care of her and get her the best care possible.

After he won the money and move on is when he had a change of heart and decided she would be better off dead.

He won't divorce her because of the loss of financial gain in his favor.

She will suffer if her tube is removed. She still feels pain and the same emotions we do.

[cyn]

I should have pinged you to the above post -- perhaps you weren't aware of that and other similar stories (widely available here on FR) that give quite a different account of Terri's condition than what the public has been led to believe.

To persist would be to call Mr. Schindler a liar ... and Atty. Gibbs ... and Cheryl Ford, RN ... and ....

[mware]

Here is a quote from the article that we are talking about.

"And the state's Catholic bishops renewed their plea that Terri Schiavo continue to receive whatever treatments benefit her."

As I said the church is supporting Terri.