.................................
Week of March 26, 2007 As you may already know, on Saturday, March 31, we will mark the two-year anniversary of Terri's death by dehydration. While this sad date brings the horror of her death into sharper focus, there is not a day that passes that we do not think of Terri and the suffering that she endured at the hands of those who deliberately set out to have her killed.
In the time since Terri's death, Terri's Foundation has been working to develop a national network of resources and support to help families whose loved ones might be in or potentially facing life-threatening situations.
Sadly, there is a steady stream of families who have contacted the Foundation on behalf of loved ones whose lives are endangered. Currently, we are involved in the case of Emilio Gonzales, a 16-month-old baby boy whose life hangs in the balance in a Texas hospital. Emilio's case is making national headlines -- you can read more about it at the links included in this newsletter. This is another tragic case of a family fighting against a hospital that ignores their wishes and doctors who have a "quality of life" attitude that rationalizes their decision to end the life of this precious baby boy.
Unfortunately, the sad fact of the matter is that there exists a dangerous apathy in our country. There are too many people who do not realize the alarming crisis we face. In a growing number of cases, persons who are not in life threatening medical conditions are deemed as having no "quality of life" by those in the medical community, are subsequently "written off" and their life sustaining treatment is terminated. This life sustaining treatment is frequently something as simple as a feeding tube or antibiotics!
Education and awareness are two of the keys to helping people recognize the dangerous climate that exists in our health care system today. While many would prefer not to educate themselves on this issue, the cold reality is that one day this "quality of life" ethic, which says that some lives are not worth living, could very well impact their own families. Knowing that it is out there and being armed against it could well save the life of a loved one.
Fortunately, Terri's Foundation continues to be in a position to fight against this growing problem. We continue to be invited to speak about this issue which provides the important opportunity to spread awareness and educate people to the dangers of the death culture. For example, I recently returned from Mexico City, Mexico. The Mexican people are at a crossroads trying to stop the legalization of not only abortion, but euthanasia as well. The conference at which I spoke was attended by more than 1,500 people and, as is the case among many in the United States, the Mexican people were unaware of the threat against the incapacitated and those with disabilities. It was a great honor to help alert them to this crisis.
As we continue in our quest to share the truth, my family wants to sincerely thank all of our friends for their continued support and prayers. We will never forget Terri and will stay dedicated to fighting against those that threaten the lives of the disabled. Terri and others like her should be a constant reminder to all of us that caring for the disabled is never a burden but is instead an act God's unconditional love.
God Bless,
Bobby Schindler and the Schindler Family
8mm
