I agree TOTALLY! As a speech-language pathologist whose national association generally is very vocal in advocating for people with disability, I'm irritated that they don't have a voice at this moment. I don't know if this is because they agree with the treatment (and I use that term very loosely) that Ms. Schiavo is receiving OR if the media is choosing not to cover their stance.
In my experience, many people who have feeding tubes are successful in taking oral intake at least to supplement the nutrition/hydration given via the tube. I've not seen any report which documents that a comprehensive swallowing evaluation revealed that Ms. Schiavo is unable to swallow. In fact, the reality that she has survived this long, apparently without major respiratory complications, suggests that she IS able to effectively swallow her own secretions, and probably material which refluxes from her stomach.
It's time for a cry for a court order mandating that such an assessment take place. From a medical system that is bound by the principles of beneficience, non-malefesence and justice, Terri Schiavo deserves this chance.
THANK YOU!! My former best friend is a speech pathologist, but we don't communicate anymore (my decision) so I have no idea what she thinks about this. But thanks for sharing your opinion.