I've been watching the Terri Schiavo situation unfold down in Clearwater this past week. I'm very concerned that she has had her feeding tube removed by the courts and is being slowly dehydrated/starved to death.
There is now an emergency bill in the U.S. house of representatives that could save Terri's life. I am urging everyone to write their Senators and House members to urge that they pass this bill. The House will be taking up the bill again on Monday so I urge you to take a few minutes this weekend and send an email to your reps.
In case you are not familiar with Terri's situation, here are the facts as I know them:
Terri is a 41 year old woman who had a medical crisis (her heart stopped) about 15 years ago, which left her with severe brain damage. During this time Terri has not been on any life support (ventilator, etc.) except for the feeding tube placed in her stomach. Her body functions normally and she is physically healthy. Terri's parents visit her daily, and they believe she responds to them. According to the family, 33 physicians have signed affidavits stating that Terri, although severely brain damaged, is not in a coma or a "persistent vegetative state." They further state that with appropriate therapies Terri will likely show significant improvement in function. According to her parents, Terri's nurses have likewise concluded that improvement is possible, and also believe that she is to some degree aware of her surroundings, and appears to be happy and in no pain. (If you've seen the the CNN reports, Terri appears to smile when her mother talks to her.)
Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, has been working since about 1993 to have her feeding tube removed, and to allow her to die. Michael claims that during his marriage to Terri she had stated that she did not want to be kept alive in the event of a medical catastrophe that would leave her unable to function without 'all the tubes', etc. Michael claims she made this statement not only to him but also to his brother and to her best friend. In all, Michael claims she made this statement to a total of six individuals (three of whom have not been identified). Now, assuming this alleged statement by Terri is true, I find it very hard to believe that she had given this issue a great deal of thought. She would have been, at the oldest, 26 when she made these statements, and at 26 I doubt she could have considered all the possible medical scenarios. Further, had she felt this strongly about this this issue, I believe that she would have seen an attorney to compose an "Advanced Medical Directive," which would be a legally binding document.
There are also the facts concerning Michael Schiavo's possible financial motivation for wanting Terri's feeding tube removed. After Terri's medical crisis Michael sued and was awarded about $2.3 million. The stated purpose of the lawsuit was to obtain funds to care for Terri for the remainder of her life. According to Terri's parents, after Michael was awarded the money, he then refused to allow Terri any rehabilitation therapy that certainly would have shown whether it was possible for her to regain functioning. Shortly after winning the lawsuit Michael then began proceedings to have Terri's feeding tube removed.
Terri's parent, the Schindler's, are of course opposed to having the feeding tube removed. The Schindler's are strong Catholics, and Terri was raised in the Catholic faith. They are very much against euthanasia, and believe that Terri would not want to be euthanized under these circumstances.
I urge you to contact your House representative and your Florida senators to urge them to intervene to save Terri's life. Go to www.terrisfight.org for more information about this. Also, please pass this email on to everyone you know. Today its Terri's fight, tomorrow it could be yours or mine.
(Below I've copied my short letter to my state representative. If you wish to use all or part in a letter to your legislators, you have my permission. Thanks again for your help!)
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RE: TERRI SCHIAVO
Dear Rep. Taylor,
I am writing to urge you to do everything in your power to pass the bill now under consideration that may save Terri Schiavo's life.
This young woman has been severely brain damaged for about 15 years, but according to her family, 33 independent physicians have given affidavits that her condition is not irreversible, and that given appropriate therapies, she has a good chance for significant improvement.
According to Terri's mother and father, although Terri's husband Michael received a multi-million dollar settlement, he has NOT allowed Terri to receive any rehabilitation therapy.
In my mind, as long as there is any chance that a person could have a meaningful life, even in a limited way, that life should be honored and preserved.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Bill Rosenke
Asheville, North Carolina
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