Terri's Story

Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation ^ | December 3,2006 | Schindler Foundation

[8mmMauser]

Theresa Marie Schindler was born to Robert and Mary Schindler on December 3, 1963. She was the first of three children the Schindlers would have.

Terri was a shy, but comical, child who had an affinity for music, animals and the arts. She kept a small circle of friends and was dear to schoolmates, neighboring families and her own extended family.

Following high school, Terri came into her own. She developed a knack for sketching and doodling. She enjoyed outings with her friends. She was an adoptive mother to the family’s dog, Bucky.

Terri attended Catholic School while growing up and remained close to her faith throughout her life.

In 1983, Terri met Michael Schiavo at Bucks County Community College and the two began dating. He was the first romantic interest Terri had.

The couple was engaged within a few months and married a year later at Terri’s church in Southampton, Pa. She was 21.

In 1986, Terri and Michael relocated to Pinellas County, Florida and her parents followed three months later.

In 1990, at the age of 26, Terri suffered a mysterious cardio-respiratory arrest for which no cause has ever been determined. She was diagnosed with hypoxic encephalopathy – neurological injury caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Terri was placed on a ventilator, but was soon able to breathe on her own and maintain vital function. She remained in a severely compromised neurological state and was provided a PEG tube to ensure the safe delivery of nourishment and hydration.

On March 31, 2005, Terri Schindler Schiavo died of marked dehydration following more than 13 days without nutrition or hydration under the order of Circuit Court Judge, George W. Greer of the Pinellas-Pasco’s Sixth Judicial Court. Terri was 41.

[rosalita]

You are correct, Michael Schiavo was not in the film. If he was in the film, he would have had a hard time fitting in with the family that loved this man so much that they would have cared for him, as they had, for the years that he spent confined to his bed since his accident. If he was in the film, he would have struggled to understand that life is precious, and worth the effort to protect.

But then, why would Michael Schiavo do all that in a film, when he is already doing it in real life? I guess in being in the film he would receive money for his part....but in real life, his reasons would be much more sinister, would you agree?

[bjs1779]

I guess in being in the film he would receive money for his part....but in real life, his reasons would be much more sinister, would you agree?

I don't think we can eliminate the money angle, but I do agree.

[Sun]

Pelosi was surrounded by so many children that it could have been a Rockwell painting.

But yet, she would have supported an abortion for these children before they were born.

[BykrBayb]

Or even now, if they should become brain damaged.

[rosalita]

Please explain what you mean about not eliminating the money angle.

[8mmMauser]

It is so easy. Just holler, "Peace, Earth and Justice," and there shall reign peace and justice on earth, even unto the end of the world....

Back in the eighties we would note the catch phrase of the left wing/communist groups was three, "Jobs, peace, justice," tossed around as frequently as "Thank you for sharing." We considered the combo defining whether in a communist rally in DC or in South Africa.

[8mmMauser]

Michael Snedeker

.......................

The near-drowning occurred Aug. 16, 1981, and the diagnosis was bleak. He was sent home after 30 days in the hospital, with the expectation he might live for three to six months. He would live for more than 25 years, and caring for him 24 hours a day would become the Snedekers' first priority.

"You get used to what you had to do," said his father. "(Michael's death) does relieve us of a lot of things, but it's not that we don't miss him."

"For me it wasn't a burden," he added. "It's family."

When I met Michael and his parents in March 2005 — during the national debate over the fate of Terri Schiavo — he was in what doctors called "a persistent vegetative state." If two physicians would verify that diagnosis, New Jersey law would have permitted the Snedekers to withhold food. To them it was an unthinkable option.

Faith and love kept disabled son — and family's hope — alive

8mm

[T'wit]

>> Please explain what you mean about not eliminating the money angle.

Michael Schiavo has a history of doing just about anything for money -- except working. He is obsessed with money. With him, you can never eliminate the money angle.

[8mmMauser]

Carrie K. Hutchens in the Dakota Voice  nails it again...

...................................................................

I read the AP article, "Surgery on Girl Raises Ethical Questions" and then "Parents who froze girl in time defend their actions" by Jeremy Laurance and Louise Jack. How interesting that Art Caplan is quoted in both. How interesting that "he", of all people, would be involved in presenting an ethical question involving this girl and her parents' decision regarding their child.

Ashley was born with brain damage that holds her in the bonds and boundaries of infancy. No one knows why. Knowing might prevent this situation from happening to others, but it cannot take back the hand it has dealt Ashley and her family. But that is not the issue at hand. The issue, it seems, is how the parents chose to handle the health and care of their daughter as they saw best. A decision that Art Caplan is quoted on The Independent Online Edition, as saying, " Arthur Caplan, a medical ethicist at the University of Pennsylvania, said the "do no harm" rule governing physicians is powerful and stopping growth is, "not the ethical way to head".

Oh really!?!?!?

Art Caplan who wrote the commentary "Opinion:Time to let Schiavo die"?

The Art Caplan who so obviously was leaning towards Michael Schiavo's side and so worried about what Michael had been and was going through? Poor Michael. He was treated so poorly, according to Caplan, for striving to do what he (Michael) felt was best for Terri. And, according to Caplan, this was a decision for Michael to make and said, "Those who would change a system that has worked and worked well for the millions of Americans who face the most difficult of medical decisions should think very hard about whether Sen. Bill Frist, DeLay, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Bush, Sen. John Kerry or the governor of your state needs to be consulted before you and your doctor can decide that it is time to stop life-prolonging medical care." Yes, this is what he said about Michael and the Schiavo case. Not what he said about the Ashley case............................

Ethical Questions Presented by Art Caplan?

8mm

[8mmMauser]

Wagglebee posted the Judge Greer speech about jury trials to a lively thread.

Dallas, TX (LifeNews.com) -- Judge George Greer continues to travel the lecture circuit despite his controversial ruling allowing Terri Schiavo's former husband to kill her via euthanasia. Greer is slated to speak at a national summit concerning jury trials, even though he unilaterally allowed the taking of Terri's life without a jury deliberation.

Terri Schiavo Judge George Greer to Speak at Jury Trial Conference

8mm

[T'wit]

>> Well, I guess Michael Schiavo wasn't in that film.

:-) :-)

That sounds like a new national parlor game. Try to imagine a film role that's actually suitable for Michael Schiavo. Can you see him playing Fr. O'Malley in The Bells of St. Mary's with Ingrid Bergman? I can't either. Good guy roles are out. Villain roles might work, -- if you can find one who does it for money, -- but even on the silver screen, I don't think I've ever seen a movie character mean enough to kill his wife's cats and steal her wedding rings to make a ring for himself.

[T'wit]

>> Michael would react to familiar voices, including nurses whom he favored.

Michael was "in there." God bless his family for their fortitude over the years. God bless all the volunteer "angels" who pitched in to care for him.

It is often forgotten that Karen Ann Quinlan's parents, like Michael's, refused to discontinue tube feeding. Karen Ann is commonly thought to have been brain dead, but was not -- she could breathe with a ventilator. Her father was indignant at the suggestion that her feeding tube be removed. "That would take away her nutrition!" he said (or words to that effect).

God bless parents and family everywhere who patiently, lovingly, care for a helpless child.

[T'wit]

I am freaked. Arthur Caplan actually said something ethical.

[8mmMauser]

Mikey is so super mean, I could imagine a new talent writing a screen play tailored to his greatest skills, "For Whom The Belles Trolled." of ringing church bells to herald an upcoming euthanasia.

[T'wit]

Oh, oh, oh, you mustn't do puns that bad on Sunday morning :-)

[T'wit]

Reminds me of, "To get rings on their fingers, belles have to be on their toes."

[T'wit]

>> Mikey is so super mean

Getting serious for a moment, both Trudy Capone and Cindy Shook -- in sworn depositions! -- said that Michael could be "incredibly mean." They also both said he told them, over and over, that he didn't have any idea what Terri's "wishes" were. Iow, despite all his pious protestations later, she did NOT say anything about "not wanting to live this way." I think the way he explained it to Trudy and Cindy was, "She was 26 years old, for God's sake! Nobody talks about death at that age."

[T'wit]

>> she could breathe with a ventilator.

Oops. Typo. She could breathe WITHOUT a ventilator. "Brain death" includes the brain stem, so the patient is unable to breathe without life support.

[rosalita]

Okay, I understand now....and agree. Thanks for clarifying. I still believe that he had much darker reasons for wanting to end her life than just an obsession with money. That said, I get your point.

[T'wit]

>> I still believe that he had much darker reasons for wanting to end her life

So do I. I wasn't suggesting that money was the only motive, or the main one. Only that it was always part of the mix.

The way he treated her was cruel and vengeful. He hated her. He obviously did indeed have darker motives. Money always tempted and twisted him, but hatred drove him.