It's Happening Now-The Terri Schiavo Saga

Why Should Terri Schiavo Be Allowed to Live?

Most normal people would not want to live like Terri Schiavo in her current state. Schiavo, in case yon readers have been living in a cave these past few weeks, is a Florida woman alleged to be in a “persistent vegetative state” and has been so for fifteen years.

Yet there’s some very strange things going on with this case and this humble Blogger is going to document it all if for nothing else but posterity.

Below is a timeline of the history of Terri Schiavao’s current medical condition. In 1990 she had a heart attack allegedly caused by poor nutrition, possibly due to “bingeing and purging” or outright refusal to eat. By all the interviews I’ve seen by people who knew Terri, she DID have a problem with food. I heard one friend state that she approached her husband at the time and mentioned that she didn’t think Terri was eating properly. The friend said Michael Schiavo told her to mind her own business.

Now we get into murky details, rumor and innuendo. Although my rumor and innuendo is based on things I actually heard from friends and family of Terri. Greta had a few friends of Terri on her show. All of them stated that Michael Schiavo was very possessive of Terri, requiring her to account for her movements at all hours of the day.

But this is, yes?-hearsay. Yet isn’t Michael Schiavo’s assertion that a very young Terri mentioned to him that she didn’t want to be kept alive by “desperate” measures hearsay? Noting that the definition of “desperate” measures is unclear and can we make a leap here and assume that when this young woman offered this sentiment she was thinking of respirators, bleeping machines and a life of total unconsciousness? Of course we don’t know what Terri meant when she allegedly made this assertion but it is the sort of image that comes to our mind when such discussions are upon. Few of us, think about it, consider the provision of food and water to be “desperate” measures.

Two things, in the interest of fair and balanced, I must mention here. Florida does allow for such “verbal” statements to a spouse or guardian to be reason enough to pull the plug. And, as I understand it, several other people mentioned that Terri expressed the same sentiment to them. Although again as I understand, all of those who alleged same had a last name of Schiavo. Terri’s family, the Schindlers, deny that Terri, a devout Catholic, would ever express such a sentiment.

Now we tread softly into more rumor and innuendo. There’s a cloudy suspicion all about that Michael himself had something to do with Terri’s “heart attack”. I’ve seen allegations of an unexplained fractured skull and broken bones. I heard one friend state, again on Greta, that she saw bruises on Terri’s upper arms and thighs. I also heard Terri’s brother state that the Schindler family requested an investigation into the incident and indeed, the police report on that night called Terri’s incident a “homicide”. Anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders do cause chemical imbalances and lead to death. According to a medical doctor on Greta, such condition would not lead to bruises and broken bones. A chemical imbalance could cause a heart attack but again there’s a gray cloud hovering with a rumor of evidence of strangulation. Also rumor has it that Michael Schiavo, a registered nurse, did NOT administer CPR before the paramedics arrived. Although, fair and balanced, I have seen no proof anywhere about this.

However, emphasizing here, nothing about this cloud over Michael Schiavo has been proven. Or even investigated and there’s the shame.

By checking out the timeline below we have incontrovertible proof that Michael did receive money from a malpractice suit. Before he got the money he was all in favor of rehabilitation. After the award and as allowed per Florida state law, Michael knew he was allowed to keep any money from Terri’s trust fund left AFTER her death.

Also, not innuendo or rumor but very true, Michael has himself another love with whom he has two children.

To want Terri to live is not necessarily to espouse any public policy that would have us using taxpayer funds to artificially feed or hydrate brain dead people for the rest of her life.

As for those alleged “nineteen” judges having reviewed Terri’s case, go on. This is spin by Michael Schiavo and his attorney. In fact, several of these judges, see timeline below, ruled in FAVOR on the Schindlers. Other judges were involved merely to review the judicial actions that they adhered to Florida requirements and a judge or two refused to even hear the case. That “nineteen” judge bit being bandied all about is all spin, if not outright lies. Only one judge, until today, has been involved in this Schiavo case. Who would be Judge Greer.

Finally, there’s a bevy of health caregivers who have gone on record as stating a variety of things that again cast doubts on this case. I’ve read of depositions by caregivers who were concerned that every time Michael Schiavo visited his wife there was a medical emergency immediately afterward. I’ve witnessed with my own eyes a few of these same caregivers who state emphatically that Terri could communicate with them and did so frequently. Terri’s family, yes they’re prejudiced, swears that she recognizes them and communicates with them.

 


As for the doctors and various “expert” medical folks, well from what I’ve heard, and this is just my opinion with no medical training, the prognosis doesn’t look bright for Terri.

However, we have a “guardian” who wants Terri to die and has wanted this for quite a while, review the timeline below. A guardian who, by the most basic of criminal laws, has an interest in his wife’s death. To include freedom to marry his current lover and a whole bunch of money should Terri die. Any prosecutor would make hay with this all over the place.

We also have an immediate family and a bevy of volunteers who are willing, at no cost to the taxpayers, to take care of Terri.

Given all of the questions, what is the problem with keeping Terri alive a bit longer? Why not clear up the cloud hovering over the entire incident? Note that already Michael Schiavo has permission to cremate Terri. Cremation is against Catholic belief. Why was getting cremation granted, way BEFORE Terri is even dead, so important to Michael Schiavo?

Most important, let’s get this case OUT of the state of Florida. It is Florida laws causing all the problems. Congress met in an emergency session and passed a law giving Terri access to federal judicial review. As of this writing, a federal judge, in FLORIDA, has ruled that Terri’s feeding tube not be re-inserted. Appeals will quickly be filed. The case might likely go up to the Supreme Court. IF Terri lives long enough.

Death by dehydration and starvation is hardly kind. We’d put our own pet dogs and cats to death with a gentle needle before doing such a thing. But of course Florida doesn’t want to do such a thing for the bad publicity that would ensue. But if we’re really being merciful here …

Why, I must ask, won’t the judge allow Terri to be given water by NORMAL methods? The woman can swallow her own saliva. My husband once got a piece of meet stuck in his gullet and he choked on his own saliva until we got medical treatment. Indeed many medical personnel state emphatically that Terri can learn to eat and drink with rehabilitation. Rehabilitation her “guardian” does not allow.

In the end, indeed, the decision to remove Terri’s feeding tube might well be the correct decision.

You can always kill Terri Schiavo. You can’t bring her back to life.

Why not answer and address all concerns before she dies and is cremated as her guardian desperately wants?

The timeline below from:
HERE

1990

· Feb 25: Terri Schiavo has a heart attack, temporarily cutting off oxygen to her brain. Cause is believed to be a potassium imbalance, likely brought about by poor diet.
· May: Terri is discharged from Humana Hospital in St Petersburg, Florida.

1991

· Jan: Terri is moved to Bradenton Mediplex Rehabilitation Center.
· Apr: Terri's condition is assessed as improving. Her husband is advised to move her to Gainesville Rehabilitation Center to receive advanced therapy so Terri can continue her recovery.
· July: Michael Schiavo has Terri moved to Sable Palms Nursing Home.

1992

· Aug: Terri is awarded $250,000 in malpractice settlement.
· Nov: In a medical malpractice suit, Michael asks a jury to grant $20 million to pay for Terri's future medical and neurological requirements, based on her life expectancy, which he and his attorneys estimate at 51 years. His attorney tells the court: "She can't respond much but she can respond, and she does respond a little bit, not much. But enough to give him hope."

1993

· Jan: A Pinellas jury awards about $1.4 to Terri and $600,000 to Michael in malpractice suit filed because her gynecologist failed to ask about her medical history while treating her.
· Feb: Michael refuses recommended rehabilitation treatment.
· Feb 14: Michael, and Terri's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, have a falling out over her rehabilitation. Michael orders nursing home personnel to keep all information about Terri's condition away from her family.
· Apr: The value of the trust fund for all of Terri's future care and rehabilitation stands at $776,254. State law guarantees that Michael would be granted any of what remains if Terri dies.
· Aug: Michael instructs medical professionals to not treat Terri for a potentially life-threatening urinary tract infection, and invokes a "do not resuscitate" order.
· Sept: The Schindlers petition the court to remove Michael as Terri's guardian.
· Nov: Michael testifies that he knew withholding treatment of infection would likely result in Terri's death, but reversed his order when staff at Sable Palms Nursing Home told him refusing such treatment violated Florida law. Michael says he would withhold treatment in the future if he didn't believe it was illegal.

1994

· Feb: The Schindlers' guardianship challenge is dismissed.
· Apr: Michael has Terri moved to Palm Gardens Nursing Home.

1995

· Sept: Michael orders Palm Gardens not to treat Terri for another potentially fatal infection.

1996

· June: Terri's parents obtain court order for access to their daughter's medical records.

1997

· May: Judge Shames approves Michael's action to remove the feeding tube that provides Terri's nutrition and hydration.
· Summer: Michael hires attorney George Felos to represent him in his efforts to have Terri's feeding tube removed. Felos has history of supporting "right to die" causes.
· July: Michael announces engagement to Jodi Centonze.
· Aug: George Felos notifies Terri's parents of action to remove her feeding tube.

1998

· Apr: The value of Terri's fund stands at $713,825.
· May: Michael files a petition to remove his wife's feeding tube.
· June: Court appoints guardian ad litem to investigate Terri's case.
· Dec: guardian ad litem recommends the court not approve Michael's petition.

1999

· Feb: Felos files bias charges against guardian ad litem.
· June: Court dismisses guardian ad litem.

2000

· Jan 24: Trial begins in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court over the removal of Terri's feeding tube.
· Feb 11: Judge George Greer rules that the feeding tube can be removed. Terri's parents appeal.
· Feb: Three doctors file affidavits stating Terri can swallow and is not in a persistent vegitative state. Judge Greer denies petition to allow Terri swallowing tests.
· Apr: Michael has Terri moved to Hospice Facility. Judge Greer denies her parents' motion to have her returned to Palm Garden Nursing Home, and imposes a restricted visitor list.
· July: Terri's parents file appeal with Appellate Court to overturn Greer’s verdict.

2001

· Jan 24: The 2nd District Court of Appeal upholds Greer's decision to to have feeding tube removed.
· March 29: Greer rules that Michael can remove the feeding tube at 1 p.m. Apr 20.
· Apr 18: The Florida Supreme Court declines to intervene.
· Apr 20: A federal judge grants the Schindlers until Apr 23 to exhaust their appeals.
· Apr 23: The U.S. Supreme Court refuses to intervene.
· Apr 24: Terri's feeding tube is removed.
· Apr 26: Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Frank Quesada orders doctors to reinsert Terri's feeding tube so her parents can pursue a lawsuit against Michael. The suit accuses him of committing perjury and cites a former girlfriend who claims he told her he lied when he testified that Terri did not want to be kept on life support.
· Apr 30: Michael's lawyers file an emergency motion with the appeals court, asking the court to again order Terri's feeding tube to be removed.
· May 2: The 2nd District Court of Appeal defers a ruling, allowing Terri's feeding to continue.
· May 8: Michael's former girlfriend refuses to testify against him, claims she is afraid of him.
· June 25: The 2nd District Court of Appeal hears arguments in Michael's request to have feeding tube removed.
· July 11: The appeals court rules that Terri's feeding tube cannot be removed until after July 23.
· July 18: Terri's parents ask Greer to let their doctors evaluate her before deciding whether her feeding tube should be withdrawn.
· Aug 7: Greer orders the feeding tube to be removed Aug. 28.
· Aug 8: Terri's parents again ask Greer to allow doctors to evaluate their daughter.
· Aug 10: Greer denies the Schindlers' request for evaluation and their request to have Michael removed as guardian.
· Sept. 26: In arguments before the 2nd District Court of Appeal, the Schindlers' attorneys cite testimony from seven doctors who say Mrs. Schiavo's idle cells might "wake up" with the right treatment. Michael calls the claims ridiculous.
· Oct 3: The appeals court delays the removal of the feeding tube indefinitely.
· Oct 17: The appeals court rules that five doctors can examine Terri to determine whether she can recover: two from each side and one picked by the court.
· Dec 19: Attorneys meet with a mediator in an attempt to agree upon the tests to be performed.

2002

· Feb 13: Attempts at mediation fail. Michael again seeks to have his wife's feeding tube removed.
· Mar 14: The Florida Supreme Court denies Michael’s appeal.
· July 10: Court hearing again to allowing certain medical tests that were requested to evaluate Terri’s true medical and neurological condition.
· July 22: Judge Greer approves three of the neurological tests her parents requested and rejects a dozen others.
· Oct 2: Michael files petition to prohibit the media from seeing Terri’s recent neurological examination videotapes or airing the videos to the public after they have been presented to the court as evidence. He also petitions the court to authorize Terri’s cremation.
· Oct 12, 2002: A week-long hearing begins. Three of the five doctors testify that Terri cannot recover. Two picked by the Schindlers say she can.
· Nov. 12, 2002: The Schindlers' attorney says medical records suggest that Terri's vegetative state may have been caused by a beating and seeks time to get more evidence.
· Nov 15: Greer conducts a hearing in response to a motion Terri's parents filed requesting time to investigate recent evidence suggesting her heart failure may have been caused by physical abuse. The petition also charges Michael with violating a dozen or more Florida laws while serving as Terri’s guardian.
· Nov 22: Greer rules that no current medicine can rehabilitate Terri and orders the feeding tube removed on Jan 3, 2003.
· Dec 13: Greer delays the feeding tube removal to give the Schindlers one last chance to appeal.
· Dec 18: Michael files a motion with the 2nd District Appellate Court to overturn Greer’s Dec 13th "stay" order.
· Dec 23: The 2nd Appellate Court denies Michael’s motion to overturn Greer’s order

2003

· June 6: The 2nd District Court of Appeal rejects the new appeals and orders Greer to set a date for the removal of the feeding tube.
· Aug: Terri hospitalized. Michael refuses to give parents information about medical condition. Also refuses to allow Terri's priest to visit and perform last rights.
· Sept: Emergency hearing to allow Shindlers to visit and to obtain current medical information. Request is granted.
· Sept 17: Greer orders the removal of Terri's feeding tube at 2 p.m. on Oct 15.
· Oct 15: Terri's feeding tube is removed. Disability rights advocates and "right-to-life" supporters hold candle-light vigils and start sending tens of thousands of emails, letters and phone calls to Florida lawmakers and Governor Jeb Bush.
· Oct 20: Gov. Bush introduces "Terri's Law", allowing him to have Terri's feeding tube reinserted and a temporary guardian appointed. Florida Legislature meets in special session to review the proposed law.
· Oct 22: "Terri's Law" is approved and signed into law. Gov. Bush issues executive order to have her feeding tube reinserted.
· Oct. 28: President George W. Bush says he agrees with the decision by his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, to order an end to Terri Schiavo's starvation.
· Oct. 29: Attorneys for Michael Schiavo and the American Civil Liberties Union ask Pinellas County Circuit Court to declare "Terri's Law" unconstitutional.
· Oct 31: Pinellas County Chief Judge David Demers appoints Dr. Jay Wolfson as temporary guardian
· Nov 4: Pinellas County Circuit Judge W. Douglas Baird denies Schindlers' request to join case with Governor Bush
· Nov 5: Gov. Bush asks court to throw out challenge to "Terri's Law". Judge Greer allows parents to sue for guardianship change
· Nov 7: Judge Baird rejects governor's request to dismiss Michael's constitutional challenge to "Terri's Law"
· Dec 2: Wolfson recommends swallowing tests for Terri

2004

Jan 9: Pinellas County Chief Judge David Demers refuses to reinstate independent guardian for Terri