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Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Power Line on Terri Schiavo
The Big Trunk excerpts at length from an article in the Wall Street Journal by David Gelernter regarding the Terri Schiavo case. Gelernter sums up the case quite accurately:
The death-by-starvation facing Terri Schiavo was averted yesterday when the Florida legislature passed a bill letting Gov. Jeb Bush intervene to save her life. Mrs. Schiavo has been severely mentally disabled since her heart stopped for a time in 1990. Although doctors have called her condition 'vegetative,' she breathes on her own, her eyes are open and in video clips she appears to respond with smiles to the sound of her mother's voice. That is one ground on which her parents have pleaded with authorities to let their daughter live. But last week her husband ordered her feeding tube removed, and until the legislature acted, Gov. Bush had no authority to override Michael Schiavo's decision.
Gelernter is highly critical of Mr. Schiavo's actions in trying to cut off all life-supporting therapies in order to terminate her life. He claims that she had expressed her desire to be free of such "heroic" medical intervention in case she was ever in the position she is now. Her parents dispute this and believe that she has some awareness of her surroundings and responds to stimuli, including their visits. Because Mr. Schiavo is the legal next of kin, he had the authority to order the removal of medical intervention, until the Florida legislature intervened itself and gave Jeb Bush the authority to reverse that decision, akin to a stay of execution of criminals.
The Schiavo case is heartbreaking, to be sure. There are accusations on both sides, notably against the husband, who is said to covet both the remainder of a legal judgment and another woman, which calls his testimony regarding his wife's state of mind into question. If nothing else, this should convince people who do not want heroic intervention to hasten to their lawyers' offices and establish a Living Will, which has legal weight and testifies incontrovertibly to your state of mind.
That being said, and without attempting to paint either side as evil or greedy, Gelernter has a good point in his essay; we are too quick to dispose of life, and not just at a particular stage, either. What Gelernter says in Big Trunk's excerpt is that the wholesale legalization of abortion has numbed us to the value of life:
"Who would have believed when the Supreme Court legalized abortion that, one generation later, only one, America would have come to this? Mrs. Schiavo's parents wanting her to live, pleading for her to live, the state saying no, and a meeting of the legislature required to pry the executioner's fingers from the victim's throat? I would never have made such an argument when the abortion decision came down, and I would never have believed it. I still can't believe it. Is this America? Do I wake or sleep?"
I believe Gelernter has it backwards. I believe that we became numb to the value of human life and so then supported widespread abortion, as well as capital punishment, assisted suicide, euthanasia, etc. That there are arguments, good arguments, to made on behalf of all of these to some extent is not in dispute. There are good arguments to be made for a lot of bad policy decisions based on honest and heartfelt beliefs and experience. It doesn't make the outcome any less wrong. The saying "Life is cheap" is so common and trite that is has become essentially meaningless, but was it always thus? I don't believe so, although capital punishment has certainly been around long enough. I think that in the post-Holocaust, post-nuclear world, we began to accept a fundamentally nihilistic and existential view of life. Nothing mattered when you could have 6 million people die in camps without even hearing about it until years later. Life meant nothing under the threat of nuclear annihilation. Once you accept these as everyday truths, then the litany of life-destroying policies makes sense and sounds perfectly reasonable.
Please read Big Trunk's post and Gelernter's views anyway. I don't want to criticize Michael Schiavo's decision in particular, but the application to our society in general.
Now that you have read this post, read the most recent entries at the new Captain's Quarters at http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/!
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The Terri Schindler Life Ribbon Campaign acts as a beacon pointing to Terri's plight. It also acts as lighthouse and gateway to others who already Realize and stand as Witness to Terri's inherent right to life and rehabilitation,. It is apparent that Michael Schiavo, George Felos, Deborah Bushnell and Co. must be bound by laws in order to be forced out of Terri's life. Let us continue to spread the word and take actions,. for Terri.
Juan Schoch
e-mail: pc93@bellsouth.net
Help Us Protect And Ensure Life
And Liberty For Terri Schindler!
Become a Life Ribbon Site
You are encouraged to place a Life Ribbon Campaign banner on your servers and web pages to support/participate in the campaign described on this page at
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm
Questions to: pc93@bellsouth.net
Also looking for co-ordinators for Terri Life Ribbon Meet-ups in their particular states.
Posted by: Juan Schoch at Nov 10, 2003 8:16:26 PM
Please sign and if you have others who would care to sign please forward to them.
What we are asking for here is a geometrical progression.
Send to 10 or more caring people in your circle of friends who will do the same and so on.
http://www.petitiononline.com/Felos518/petition.html
Carefully read the Florida Bar petition online before signing, requesting the Florida Bar bring described formal action involving attorneys George Felos and Deborah Bushnell, for reasons described in the petition.
FLORIDIANS AND NON-FLORIDIANS accepted. This is going straight to the Florida Bar. Count is around 131 at this time. Please send this to as many caring individuals as you can with the message to others to take the same actions.
Refs:
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/30/Tampabay/Doctors_examine_Schia.shtml
You can view the police report, concluded May 14, 2004 here: http://zimp.org/pr/. By clicking the thumbnails, you can view a full-size scan of each page. Additionally, you can download the entire package for offline viewing (requires Winzip) here: http://zimp.org/pr/pr.zip.
The above report not only indicates that absolutely nothing suspicious was found as the result of this exhaustive investigation, but also that the 'marks' and 'needle cap' (which turned out to part of an irrigation kit) were found PRIOR to Terri's parents visiting that day.
Additionally, I encourage you to read the press release issued by Mr. Felos the night of the alleged incident here: http://zimp.org/documents/felospr032904.pdf in which he states that a forensic team was investigating the matter. In speaking personally with the Clearwater Police Department, I have learned that they don't even have a forensic team.
Be creative, do take action.
\"Petition for State protective custody for Terri\" (please get the petition information out to as many peoples as possible)
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/chisana7/
\"Saving Terri Schiavo\"
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/19461949/
Laws being broken:
http://zimp.org/
Connect the Dots ... for Terri
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1130771/posts?page=11#11
http://www.terrisfight.org
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm
From Bobby Schindler (Terri's brother)in response to
Michael Masinter on disability-civil-rights yahoo
group:
>"On February 25, 1990, . . . Theresa, age 27, suffered a cardiac arrest as
>a result of a potassium imbalance. Michael called 911, and Theresa was
>rushed to the hospital. She never regained consciousness.
Juan, the Appellate judges got it wrong right from the get go. It was
never proven Terri had a cardiac arrest because of a potassium imbalance,
and also, Michael ONLY called 911 after my father instructed him to. Michael
called my father first to tell him that Terri collapsed. I guess it wasn't
important for the judges to mention that Michael knew CPR but didn't use it
on Terri that night.
>Since 1990, Theresa has lived in nursing homes with constant care. She is
>fed and hydrated by tubes. The staff changes her diapers regularly. She
>has had numerous health problems, but none have been life threatening.
Funny how they forgot to mention that there was a health problem that WAS
life threatening, when Michael instructed his doctor in 1993 not to treat
Terri for an infection she had that would have resulted in her death -- by
sepsis. And it's incredible that it is hardly ever mentioned that Michael
would have collected over 700 hundred thousand dollars, if he would have
succeeded to kill Terri back then. But I guess that wasn't important.
Amazing how everyone just glosses over this fact.
>Over the span of this last decade, Theresa's brain has deteriorated because
>of the lack of oxygen it suffered at the time of the heart attack.
Terri DID NOT have a heart attack. This has been proven over and over again,
but just like so much in this case, it keeps on being ignored.
>By mid 1996, the CAT scans of her brain showed a severely abnormal
>structure. At this point, much of her cerebral cortex is simply gone and
>has been replaced by cerebral spinal fluid.
Again, something that continually is ignored is Dr. Maxfield's testimony
that
is completely contrary to this, as well as a dozen doctors that have all
stated that Terri can be helped if given the chance. Do any of these people
read the testimony of the doctors that testified regarding Terri's chances
to improve? Why do they only want to hear from one side in this case, and
refuse to accept the fact that there are more doctors that say Terri can
improve than doctors that say she can't.
>Medicine cannot cure this condition. Unless an act of God, a true miracle,
>were to recreate her brain, Theresa will always remain in an unconscious,
>reflexive state, totally dependent upon others to feed her and care for her
most
>private needs."
To have the audacity to mention God. Once again, I will repeat myself, why
do they only want to hear from one side in this case, and as far as the
judges saying that Terri will be totally dependent upon others to care for
her the rest of her life -- I say emphatically -- so what! That is what her
family is here for and has been asking -- no, begging -- to do since 1990.
Incredibly, the judges use this as the REASON why we should kill Terri,
because she is dependent on others. This absolutely makes me sick.
>"Although the physicians are not in complete agreement concerning the
>extent of Mrs. Schiavo's brain damage, they all agree that the brain scans
>show extensive permanent damage to her brain. The only debate between the
>doctors is whether she has a small amount of isolated living tissue in her
>cerebral cortex or whether she has no living tissue in her cerebral
>cortex."
I repeat myself, shouldn't this be an argument on reasons why we should let
those that love her take care of her, NOT to simply starve my sister to
death because she has become an inconvenience in the eyes of her husband and
a few arrogant judges.
Terri is not a problem, she is a person, and she is my family, our family.
Bobby
Posted by: Juan Schoch at May 23, 2004 11:27:58 AM
Regional Center for Independent Living
1641 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
http://www.rcil.org/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2004
For more information, contact C. Jean Penner, Communications and
Outreach Coordinator, at 585-442-6470 v/tty, or 585-797-7260
Green Ribbon Ceremony at RCIL Will Celebrate the Life -- and Right to
Live -- of Terri Schindler-Schiavo
The Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL) will host an outdoor
green ribbon ceremony on Friday, June 4, 2004, in honor of the
controversial struggle to preserve Terri Schindler-Schiavo's right to
live. The cermony will be held at RCIL, 1641 East Avenue in Rochester,
at 12 noon, to commemorate Terri's half-birthday. It will be free and
open to the public.
Those who attend will receive green tartan ribbons; part of a national
campaign to raise awareness of this issue. The color green symbolizes
life, while the tartan pattern symbolizes the diversity in human life,
which includes -- and embraces -- disability. Additional ribbons will
be available at RCIL for members of the community, free of charge;
donations will be accepted by RCIL for the Terri Schindler-Schiavo
Foundation.
This national observance -- the Life Ribbon Campaign -- encourages
community supporters to wear the ribbons until Terri comes home to her
family.
In 1990, Terri Schindler-Schiavo collapsed in the home she shared with
her husband, Michael Schiavo. The cause of her collapse is unknown to
this day. Terri receives food and water by way of a gastric feeding
tube; and a battle rages currently in Florida courts, in which her
husband is demanding the removal of the feeding tube, while her parents
are fighting for her right to live, and challenging his right to act as
her guardian.
Terri originally fell into a coma but awakened from her comatose state
weeks later. She was left in what medical professionals call a "locked
in state" with limited abilities to communicate or move.
To this day, Terri remains disabled. Though she is responsive to
stimuli, interacts with her environment and her loved ones and is
capable of communicating in limited ways, she is a disabled and
vulnerable adult -- requiring protection, therapy and the route to
recovery. RCIL's ceremony to honor her life will acknowledge the
reality in our society that disability is too frequently equated with a
"better off dead" presumption; and that this has sobering implications
for all Americans with disabilities.
"Despite any particular physical or mental impairments, life is our
most precious gift," states Todd Eggert, Executive Director of RCIL,
"and with this effort, RCIL is choosing to positively support Terri's
right to life. Given that she is showing responsiveness and
recognition of loved ones, how can anyone question that right?"
During the first months that followed Terri's mysterious collapse, she
made progress. Medical practitioners noted her efforts to speak and her
responsiveness. Terri, however, has not received meaningful therapy
since 1991 on the orders of her husband. In 1998, Terri's husband made
his initial petition to the circuit courts of Pinellas County, Florida
to end her life by removing her feeding tube. If he had been
successful, Terri would have died of dehydration and starvation over
the course of 10 to 14 days. Terri's parents are fighting her husband,
saying that her wish -- if she were able to speak -- would be for
therapy and rehabilitation, rather than death from dehydration and
starvation.
In the most recent developments, over the objections of Florida
Governor Jeb Bush, a Florida state appeals court has sent this case to
the state's highest court. The Florida Supreme Court will hear the case
filed by Terri Schiavo's estranged husband seeking to overturn a law
Bush signed -- Terri's Law -- that saved her life.
The Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal approved a motion put forward
by George Felos, the euthanasia advocate who is Michael Schiavo's
lawyer, asking the appeals court to let the Florida Supreme Court
decide the case. But attorneys for the governor say they want the case
halted while the issue of whether Michael should have the authority to
speak for Terri is resolved.
Governor Bush also said that Michael's interests may conflict with
Terri's, implying it may be appropriate to appoint a new guardian on
her behalf. But, Felos said the matter is so important that the
state's high court should decide the case.
The appeals court agreed and, in granting Felos' request, denied the
Bush team an opportunity to gather further information showing that
Terri would not want to be killed.
The Florida Supreme Court can either take the case or tell the appeals
court to hear it and issue a ruling before deciding to hear the
lawsuit.
Last August, the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal filed
by Terri's family of a local judge's order allowing Michael to remove
Terri's feeding tube.
For more information and actions to take please refer to the following
links:
http://www.terrisfight.org
http://www.cogforlife.org/schiavo.htm
http://heavenlyhands.net/terrislinks.html
http://www.prayforterri.net
###
C. Jean Penner
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Regional Center for Independent Living
1641 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14610
585-442-6470 v/tty
www.rcil.org
___
pc93: ref -> Google -> Life Ribbon
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm
Posted by: Juan Schoch at Jun 3, 2004 8:41:13 PM
Relayed by CF, two communications:
ADAPT WV along with West Virginia Community Supports Disability
Forum (WVCSDF) is going to be holding a vigil for Terri Schiavo.
DATE & TIME:
January 13th from 6:00 p.m. until whenever.
LOCATION: Outside the Mountainlair on The West Virginia University
Campus in Morgantown West Virginia.
We encourage all to come!!!
You may ask yourself why are we doing this in West Virginia, since
Terri lives in Florida. Well the answer is quite simple.
1. We in West Virginia are compassionate people who don't believe in
killing our citizens who have a disability. That is murder. Also
many of us have realized in helping Terri since October 2003, that
we love her. Her smile lights up the world.
2. We know that if Terri's feeding tube is pulled, and she is in
fact murdered. It will send a strong message out to the world that
people with disabilities don't matter and they can be killed at any
given time.
3. We don't think a husband who has moved on with his live with
another woman and has two children by her, should be able to decide
what Terri's wishes are. Terri did not have a advanced directive or
living will. We don't believe her husband Michael Schiavo when he
said she would want to die a slow painful death. When she has
parents, and siblings who love her dearly.
Won't you please help us try to save Terri's life by attending this
vigil on January 13th, and bring lots of friends.
For more information about Terri, go to www.terrisfight.org.
For more information about the Vigil.
Please call:
Vicki Shaffer in West Virginia at:
304-284-9919
or
email Vicki: furbygirl30@yahoo.com
" In June of 2001, Ryan accidentally fell three stories through a
skylight and was not breathing when paramedics began to work on him.
He was resuscitated and spent over a year in a coma. Throughout that
time, the Boone family continued to believe that Ryan would be
healed and sought prayer for him repeatedly, via television, radio
and the Internet. Ryan has gradually emerged from the coma, and is
now talking and has regained his memory. The family gives thanks and
praise to God for His faithfulness and answered prayer. "
Ryan Corbin is Pat Boone's grandson. Ryan was tube fed and had been
in a coma for 6 months after his tragic accident in 2001.
Through prayers, extensive medical attention and therapy, but most
importantly having the love and closeness surrounding him from his
family and friends, Ryan sits smiling today from his wheelchair with
his grandfather, Pat Boone .
Ryan 2005
Excepts taken from interview with Pat Boone on Larry King 2001.
MICHAELIS: He is on medications to maintain him so that hopefully
over time, there is going to be the day he wakes up and they can
start to rehabilitate him.
BOONE: They feed him through a tube -- excuse me, Lindy -- they feed
him through a tube in his stomach. He has not had a bite of food in
over two months.
KING: Are there ways they can say, well, looks like he is doing
better. He might come out of this tomorrow?
MICHAELIS: His eyes are open. He blinks, he looks at you.
KING: He does?
MICHAELIS: Yes. He doesn't necessarily track to -- if you move or to
your finger, but he makes eye contact and occasionally his eyes will
move when somebody moves in the room and he will follow along with
that movement.
KING: Can he answer yes or no by blinking? No?
MICHAELIS: Occasionally it has happened, but he blinks a lot and so
there is questions as to whether that was a deliberate blink.
Terri unfortunately does not have a celebrity in her family who can
easily reach out for public support in the same way Pat Boone did
for Ryan. However, not having Pat Boone as her grandfather, does not
eliminate Terri from needing the same therapy, medical attention,
caring and family love that Ryan receives on a day to day basis.
TERRI NEEDS YOU!
I ask that you please join me this week in a calling and writing
campaign to Pat Boone and Doug Corbin (Ryan's father) at "Ryan's
Reach."
Ryan's Reach
2953 Edinger Ave,
Tustin , California 92780,
United States
1-949-733-0046
http://www.ryansreach.com/contact.htm
Ryan's Reach - Welcome
* Please ask Mr. Boone to urgently come forth and speak out on
behalf of Terri.
* Direct them to Terri's website at www.terrisfight.org for
information about her.
* Please give them contact numbers:
* Keith at 727) 399-8300, Gibbs Law Firm and
* Cheryl at 813-695-0870, Fight4Terri@a...
We must bring all eyes and ears to the injustice Terri is
experiencing right NOW in the state of Florida.
Terri continues to be held hostage in one small room for well over 4
years. She is denied her patient and legal rights.
For this reason, I repeatedly ask you to urgently speak out on her
behalf. Please forward this email far and wide.
Thank you so much for your help and dedication in taking a unified
stand in support of Terri.
Respectfully,
Cheryl Ford RN
Fight4Terri @aol.com
www.fight4terri.blogspot.com
Visit Terri's site: www.terrisfight.org
"We make a Living by what we do,
but we make a LIFE by what we give"
~Winston Churchill~
---
Free this weekend?
Organize a Rally in Your Area
Come on Folks!
You can DO it!
It's easy! Help Terri now!
Applause for West Virginia! 1/13
Applause Coming For Colorado! 1/18
They have their Rally's and Walks planned!
Where is the rest of America???
We Need YOU!
Email me PLEASE!
When is your Rally for Terri???
Plan your Rally SOON!
I will help you!
Terri needs your VOICE!
Do it Now! PLEASE!
ORGANIZING SUPPORT FOR TERRI SCHIAVO
1.Choose a site and time for the rally. Best to choose a government
establishment in your area and hold the rally during traffic hour.
2.Notify City Hall or Police what you are planning. Include that it
is a peaceful rally. Some cities require a permit, usually at no
charge. Remember -- Right to Assemble and Right of Free Speech.
3.Form a committee of family and friends for help.
Contact local groups (Churches, Colleges, etc..) When you contact
these groups, please also direct them to www.terrisfight.org. This
site is filled with every aspect of Terri's plight. It is without
error and it also shows the numerous videos clearly showing Terri's
interactions.
4. Contact all local news media in your area: T.V. stations,
newspapers, radio talk show hosts, etc. Talk radio covers it the
best. Have a spokesperson selected. The media will usually ask to
speak with someone who can tell them why the rally is happening.
5. Once the planning and date of a Rally is in place, e-mail Cheryl
Ford, at Fight4Terri@a... . She has established local contacts as
well as an enormous address of supporters. You want the best
possible coverage.
6.Assign a friend or family member with a camera or personal video.
Assign jobs: phones, emails, etc. Play music for Terri at the
Rally.I have a "Right To Live" "I Am Alive"
Get your copy of "LIFE" CD for Terri to be played at your rally.
The LIFE CD: Only $15 plus shipping and handling! Your order
directly benefits Terri's Foundation. PLEASE place your order now
at:
http://www.hospicepatients.org/life-cd.html or www.terrisfight.org
7.Have a note book for a sign up sheet. Have everyone list their
name, city, phone number and email address. You can email everyone
on the list, please send a newsletter with those that wished to sign
on as a Terri supporter. Many people do not know enough about
Terri's situation.
8. Make a list of what to write on the signs you will have at the
rally.
If possible, have a little one page flyer to pass out to people as
they drive or walk by. Many people will stop and ask what is going
on. If you have a flyer with bullets highlighting the points in bold
type that you can hand to them, it is very helpful.
Remember, it's about getting the word out to everyone and hoping for
the best.
Good luck! Keep us posted. Again, thank you!
Sincerely,
Cheryl Ford, R.N, Coordinator/Leader at Fight4Terri@a...
Sheila Fogarty, Assistant at Fight4Terri777@a...
Fight4Terri @aol.com
www.fight4terri.blogspot.com
Visit Terri's site: www.terrisfight.org
ON THE NET :
TERRI'S WEBSITE
WWW.TERRISFIGHT.ORG
***
"We make a Living by what we do,
but we make a LIFE by what we give"
~Winston Churchill~
---
Attorney for Terri Schiavo's Parents Calls Terri Responsive, Not Comatose
http://www.lifenews.com/bio633.html
---
Rally for Terri
http://www.shockwave.com/contentPlay/photojam4.jsp?doc=14465379/1105411867441_279
---
Terri Schindler Schiavo Life Ribbon Home
http://www.eeng.net/eeng/ribbon/index.html
Posted by: pc93 at Jan 11, 2005 7:59:42 AM
