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Quentin, I am glad to carry discussions with you.

If you sense hostility, keep in mind, we are targeted by trolls and are watchful of their attempts to disrupt and hijack. I sincerely hope you learn plenty here and recognize the resources we can bring to bear.

To carry on the ability to eat, and other signs many would like to see as proof of human life, I can give you an example. As I have noted elsewhere, we could only dream our son of 26 years had the responsiveness of Terri. His eyes could not track as well, and he could not respond as well. He could lock eyes just for a heartbeat, and would burst into a smile and that was that.

Yet, we were able to feed him by mouth. It is very hard work and takes patience, not highly qualified medical opinion, to feed a person in that condition. He did not know how to chew, could swallow reflexively, a motor function common to even the severely retarded. But we took our time and did what the medical technicians said was impossible. So far as aspiration is concerned, we at times offered gelatin, Jello, to keep him hydrated. We did it for 26 years and he thrived, did not develop, but lived a happy life.

Look back at the truths about Terri and you will see she was on the road to a fair recovery way back then, when Mikey started his own version of Exit Protocol. To make observations such as you made, I suggest they be backed by something more close to real experience for them to be credible. Echoed opinions of biased medical personnel are not necessarily valid to those of us who know better.

There's another big thing that happened with the Hospice of the Suncoast Pinellas but speaking of trolls and moles, I'm not posting it because as you know, the local govt will follow people for J. Greer, for hospice and probably for some of the candidates for 2006. This hospice already owes Uncle Sam in the millions for fraud.

If someone at the federal level really cared, this new thing could be thrown on the pile. There's a new allegation in the grapevine.

Hello, everyone. I apologize for neglecting our discussion. I've had a rough couple of days. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the early stages of relapse--maybe that's why my interest in this subject has resurged--and probably won't be able to post much. I did just want to say to you, 8mm, that it sounds like you gave your son a great deal of tender care; I can't tell you how much I respect that.

Also, someone asked about the rest of the 4 hours of video. I have not seen it myself, but have read summary descriptions by the judge, a reporter who viewed them, and someone from the area, whom I respect and trust, who has seen them. (Perhaps you are unaware that the complete videos are accessible at the courthouse down there.) All three accounts agree that Mrs. Schiavo appeared to laugh, cry, grunt, squeal, vocalize, sweep her eyes back and forth more or less continually, randomly, and regardless of the presence or absence of any other person in the room. In other words, the "smile" she displayed in apparent response to Mrs. Schindler was also displayed at random times while she was alone and when other people were with her. She was not responding to her mother; her mother's presence just happened to coincide with some of her random changes in affect.

At least that's the way I understand it. I will return and try to hold up my end of the discussion when I can. I will probably be reading more that writing, however. Thanks to all for your thoughts.

"To carry on the ability to eat, and other signs many would like to see as proof of human life, I can give you an example. As I have noted elsewhere, we could only dream our son of 26 years had the responsiveness of Terri. His eyes could not track as well, and he could not respond as well. He could lock eyes just for a heartbeat, and would burst into a smile and that was that.

Yet, we were able to feed him by mouth. It is very hard work and takes patience, not highly qualified medical opinion, to feed a person in that condition. He did not know how to chew, could swallow reflexively, a motor function common to even the severely retarded. But we took our time and did what the medical technicians said was impossible. So far as aspiration is concerned, we at times offered gelatin, Jello, to keep him hydrated. We did it for 26 years and he thrived, did not develop, but lived a happy life."

mm, may God bless you and your entire family for choosing to love and so thoroughly care for your son. Your devotion is admirable and quite heroic. Would that many people learn from your extraordinary sacrifice and great example and thank you so much for your personal testimony. : )