Boston- A federal court today scheduled a hearing for 3 p.m. in Florida to hear the case of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. The parent’s of Terri Schiavo petitioned the court to have their daughter’s feeding tube reinserted. The feeding tube was removed last Friday afternoon.
Mrs. Schiavo is not terminally ill. She is a 41-year-old severely brain-injured woman who has been the subject of a legal battle involving her right to live. She is clearly human. She is a threat to no one. Terri’s family has been on the front lines for many years trying to prevent her husband and the legal system from ending her life. Like others who are disabled, Terri is unable to defend herself. She needs to be protected because she cannot protect herself.
Terri Schiavo Case Demonstrates Human Life is Precious
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For those so sympathetic to Mikey, swallow this one!
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A certified nursing assistant who cared for Terri Schiavo in 1997 filed a sworn affidavit in the case stating that she was able to feed Schiavo normally on multiple occasions - but that husband Michael Schiavo would allow only a feeding tube.
Heidi Law, a CNA at the Palm Gardens nursing home, testified:
"At least three times during any shift where I took care of Terri, I made sure to give Terri a wet washcloth filled with ice chips, to keep her mouth moistened. I personally saw her swallow the ice water and never saw her gag.
"[Another CNA] and I frequently put orange juice or apple juice in her washcloth to give her something nice to taste, which made her happy. On three or four occasions I personally fed Terri small mouthfuls of Jello, which she was able to swallow and enjoyed immensely."
Law testified that the only reason she didn't attempt to feed Ms. Schiavo more frequently was "because I was so afraid of being caught by Michael."
Editorializing on the case in light of Law's account, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette said Sunday, "It is one thing to withdraw a feeding tube; another entirely to withhold that day's meal tray."
Carla Sauer Iyer was a registered nurse at the same facility. In her own affidavit Iyer testified that Ms. Schiavo was capable of speech, explaining, "[Terri] spoke on a regular basis, saying such things as 'Mommy' and 'help me.'"
When she put a washcloth in Terri's hands to keep her fingers from curling together, Iyer said, "Michael saw it and made me take it out, saying that was therapy" that he had forbidden.
"Throughout my time at Palm Gardens, Michael Schiavo was focused on Terri's death," the RN noted. "Michael would say 'When is she going to die?' 'Has she died yet?' and 'When is that bitch gonna die?'"
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