Fight4Terri

When Lawyers Define Life

2005-11-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

When Lawyers Define Life

By Sovereign Dave

dwissel@adelphia.net

I now take the opportunity to save something valuable from Terri’s fiasco: That is education to save the rest of us. Jay Wolfson most likely did do a very complete job of research; even going beyond the call of duty by examining different philosophies. This is admirable and probably serves well as justification for actions. All we can do is the best with the information and duty we have at hand—even if we might be ignorant to wiser concepts at that time. But just as a scalpel in the hands of an unskilled surgeon is dangerous, so too are lawyers who try to fit the definition of life within the box called law for government. Both might have the best of intentions yet the effect is something even lawyers can understand: damage.

In this case I suspect we are witnessing something far worse with Jay Wolfson--sent in as a last-ditch prop when numbers of people started questioning the fabric of government. In this case the fabric of government stretched their theft of unalienable rights to the point of becoming revealing to a large proportion of the population when they tried to “socialize” the theft in the name of public good. If history is to teach us anything, it is always to be vigilant that we too are not becoming acceptable of the theft of any unalienable right—even if our majority supports same in the name of public good. Mr. Wolfson instantly became the pawn in the game of actually two social agendas; the victims in the war were Terri Schiavo and unalienable rights.

The lesson: One has to remember that government’s only power is obtained through consent—your consent. When you start to question consent to be governed by government you now relegate yourself to the likes of some famous people: Jesus, Ghandi, Buddha, Paine, Adams, Jefferson, King, Parks, etc. The truth popularized by government is that “we consent to be governed.” The myth is that we consent to be governed….by them and their law for government called statutory law.” The myth portion is the democracy and is nearly diametrically opposed to the concept of unalienable rights. [Reflect upon that for a moment and one realizes if myth is true, society degenerates into the powerful group depriving the individual of rights—not unlike Terri Schiavo’s case.]

For years those in “lawyer-land” [black-robes, lawyers and their derivatives—politicians] have led you astray. In the name of social agenda they have tried to shrink-wrap the law that applies to people within the law that applies to government: to make matters worse they have “force-fed” that back to you by the argument of the lesser of two evils. You are told: “Well if there is no law, anarchy prevails.” In our ignorance, we accept this tale of half-truth and give consent of the whip to our slave. But how can I say this is a half-truth? Well this is quite simple: there are two forms of law! There exists common law—the law for the people—and there exists statutory law, the law for government. The common law contains the most “common-sense” of laws: murder, theft, etc. It is the common law to which the people gave their consent to be governed. It is common law to which people still to this day largely govern their actions. Common law is so powerful that many states strictly construe statues of statutory law [i.e law for government] that are in derogation of it. Think about this: On a percentage of the population basis the people of New Orleans’s Katrina behaved quite well under the common sense of their common-law heritage of “Thou shalt not steal nor kill”. Yet where were the statutory law enforcers in the wake of Katrina? Non-existent! In summary: The problems of today can be traced to the sinful evils when law for government (statutory law) is misapplied to the people under the disguise of public good and as a replacement for common law. Sadly it takes incidents like Terri to “wake-up” the population: unto itself a derived testament to how well people behave under common law.

Within the context of this explanation of two laws, let us examine this quote by lawyer Jay Wolfson:

“We can take the best law we can and apply it in the best way we can.

That is all we can do.”

To which law is Mr Wolson referring? [Hint: All lawyers are trained primarily in terms of statutory law: law for government.]
As you have discovered, while he makes a truthful statement it is a half-truth by virtue of three possible reasons: ignorance, sin of commission or sin of omission.
If the people have common law, why is government applying the other law to you? Isn’t this really mis-applying?
If the best law they have in government law doesn’t save an unalienable right, isn’t that an acknowledgment of its inherent limitations when it is mis-applied to people? In other words, Mr. Wolfson’s comments are an admission of the weakness of government laws. {Thankfully]
I won’t dive into the definition of life or social agenda. In this issue, this is the DISTRACTION. This distraction only popularizes the myth of “consent to be governed by government.” The real issue is, “What right does government have to define life?” In the supreme law for government called the Constitution, I do not see this as a grant of power to government! When you grant them this power, those in power take your acceptance as consent and justification for the theft of more power. In essence you transfer a little more of the whip from your hands to that of your slaves.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Fight4Terri@aol.com [mailto:Fight4Terri@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 1:06 PM
To: Fight4Terri@aol.com
Subject: Terri Schiavo guardian shares his experience at lecture

RN Ford Comments:

If he cared enough, why would Wolfson not have recommended calling in the true medical experts to evaluate Terri as was requested of him to do? Why did he suddenly disappear off of the case when Governor Bush sent him interrogatories to answer?

Sorry Jay.......your caring about Terri is not sincere and just doesn't fly with those who knew better. She is gone now...... please allow her to rest in peace and for her sake, go and find yourself another tragic story to talk about. You did not care enough then....it's too late now!

Sadly folks, guilt certainly has a way of never leaving those who have assisted in victimizing others.

Terri Schiavo guardian shares his experience at lecture
Guest Speaker: Jay Wolfson, Dr. P.H., J.D. spoke about his now former client, Theresa Schiavo. courtesy photo

"I would sit with her and stroke her hair and hold her hand and I would take her head in my hands and beg her to help me help her," said Jay Wolfson, Dr. P.H., J.D. about his now former client, Theresa Schiavo.

As he talked about his personal thoughts and experiences of brain-damaged Schiavo\'s case Nov. 10, the FIU community sat, and stood, in Graham Center 140, silently listening to Wolfson\'s every word.

Although the fight for Schiavo\'s future had been going on for years, Wolfson, professor of public health and medicine at the University of South Florida, came into the picture in 2003 as the court appointed Special Guardian ad Litem.

He was the legal representative for Schiavo. He had a month to look through all of the legal and medical documents "of a woman I didn\'t know." He reported to Governor Jeb Bush and the courts as to whether or not Schiavo should have more swallowing tests administered. This would guide the governor in his decision-making about the case.

"I didn\'t follow the O.J. or the Schiavo case," said Wolfson. "All of a sudden, I am asked to inject myself into this thing."

Wolfson did more than just read 30,000 pages worth of documents. He turned to famous philosophers and writers such as Dante, Descartes and Nietzsche for answers. He spent time with Schiavo\'s family, the Schindlers and with Michael Schiavo, her husband. Wolfson also spent one to four hours a day with Schiavo.

"I was seeking both information and knowledge," he said.

Wolfson had many special tasks as Schiavo\'s Guardian ad Litem. One of them was to serve in the best interests of his ward. Wolfson said that the problem he had with that task was whether or not he should do what he, or someone else thought was best for Schiavo.

Another task Wolfson had was to determine if there was "feasibility and value in swallowing tests and swallowing therapy given the totality of the circumstances." Wolfson\'s problem with this was that value can be relative.

Wolfson had to make a decision concerning Schiavo\'s fate.

"The scientist in me had to come in," Wolfson said.

The rules given to Wolfson for his decision-making were clear. He had to give competent, clear and convincing evidence.' '"We can take the best law we can and apply it in the best way we can. That is all we can do," Wolfson said.

Wolfson explained that when Schiavo had her accident, she fell and her brain was without oxygen for 12 minutes. She had slipped into a coma and was put on a respirator for a month. Two months later, she was considered vegetative. Schiavo could not swallow liquids.

Wolfson showed on a projector a picture of Schiavo\'s cerebral cortex. He explained that this was where reasoning is. It was where the consciousness may be and it was beyond reflexes. Schiavo\'s cerebral cortex was found to be all liquid.

"Her cerebral cortex was gone," Wolfson said.

Finally, Wolfson\'s decision was made. He decided that additional testing could and would be done if everyone agreed in advance as to how the results were to be used. An agreement was never made.

From within the whirlwind, Wolfson discovered two things.

"I wound up learning that there was something about this case, and it involved a certain chemical - hope," Wolfson said. "Is hope maybe the ability of human beings to have something beyond yourself that is a part of you?"

Wolfson called this ability the divine spark.

"It\'s that special thing which makes us human," Wolfson said.

The second thing Wolfson discovered involved perspective.

"Much of what we see and hear is just the tip of the iceberg, and everyone will have different perspectives of the tip," he said. "What I do know is that things that are said and are represented are not the same."

As the lecture came to an end, Wolfson said he could see why life is so important to people. "The alternative is the unknown and could be not being," he said.

Vision4Children

2005-11-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

A friend and supporter of Terri has taken on a mission to help bond and unite children with both of their parents. Please take time to read the mission statement for Vision4Children and then visit their website.
Thank you,
Cheryl

Our vision is to create an environment where all possible supporters of equal parenting can come together to enjoy the benefits of sharing information, experience, and a range of perspectives while at the same time remaining independent. We will provide support of an international organization dedicated to the promotion of an equal and secure environment in which children will benefit from the influence of a loving relationship with both parents and their extended families. The general disregard for equality in parenting causes the loss of parenting arrangements that promote widely accepted family values that are key to establishing stability in children who have the temperament and capacity to respect human dignity and enjoy loving relationships. A presumption of equal parenting within any definition of parenting is necessary for children to learn to get along with others in a fair and equitable manner. Emotional and instructional stability is difficult to establish when both parents have access to adversarial systems that promote lack of cooperation. What is required is an environment where the values of both parents will be respected, and where equal decision-making authority is defended- an environment in which “equal responsibility” is enforced fairly and equal time sharing with the children is facilitated and encouraged. The ultimate goal is to create a working environment in which both parents are valued and required, to ensure the best possible conditions for the upbringing of every child, which will in turn benefit future generations. There are many factors that contribute to the deterioration of equal parenting that need to be addressed in various ways. To that end, all groups who support equal parenting are welcomed to share their understanding of the complexities and extent of the problems and the issues. Together we are more likely to find effective ways of improving the parenting environment for the benefit of the children, the parents and ultimately for all of society. We are attempting to strike an appropriate balance between unity and diversity, respecting both the influence of unity and the creative dialogue of diversity.

http://vision4children.forumup.org/?mforum=vision4children fightingjudicialmisconduct@yahoo.com

Michael Schiavo speaks at local medical ethics conference

2005-09-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

RN Ford Comments:
Despite years of his trying to convince the world that it was "Terri's wishes" to die, six months following her death, his slip up with words finally reveal how it was not Terri's wishes.

'' It was only after years of futile effort to revive her that he decided to end her treatment. He said that's what she would have wanted."

If Terri truly had such wishes as Schiavo has stated all of these years, Schiavo should have said, that's what Terri had wanted, as opposed to that's what she "would" have wanted.

One can easily see how his mind functions. Despite her suffering for 13 days, as he deprived her body of food and water...the mere gesture that he laid a rose in her hand, comforts and reassures him that her death was not awful.

Unbelievable!

"His address was met by a standing ovation from the more than 200 people in attendance."

He should have attended Terri's memorial because thousands would have had quite the opposite reaction to his address!

Don't pat yourself on the back all too quickly Michael Schiavo. The selected few death advocates in your fan club, such as Cranford, are by far, NOT in the majority of those who still support Terri Schindler.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5631487.html

Michael Schiavo speaks at local medical ethics conference
Last update: September 23, 2005 at 4:52 PM
Michael Schiavo speaks at local medical ethics conference
Maura Lerner, Star Tribune
September 24, 2005 SCHIAVO0924

In his first public comments since his wife's death, Michael Schiavo said today that ''I never, in my entire life, thought I would be thrown into such a national debate.... All I wanted to do was carry out my wife's wishes.''

Schiavo spoke at a conference in Minneapolis on medical ethics as several dozen protesters marched outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel where the conference was being held.

Wiping away tears, Schiavo described his last moments with his wife, Terri, who died in March after a dramatic court battle to remove her feeding tube.

''Terri didn't die an awful death,'' he said. As she died, ''I laid a red rose in her hand and said goodbye.''

Schiavo, in recounting his 15-year ordeal, said he refused for years to believe his wife was in a permanent vegetative state after she suffered brain damage when her heart stopped in 1990.

When doctors told him in that first year that she would never recover, he said, ''I told them they were wrong. I was going to bring my wife home and we were going to get on with our lives.'' It was only after years of futile effort to revive her that he decided to end her treatment. He said that's what she would have wanted.

Schiavo came to the Twin Cities to speak at a conference honoring Dr. Ronald Cranford, a Minneapolis neurologist who was a medical advisor to him during Terri Schiavo's case.

''I just wanted to thank Dr. Cranford for your help. You gave me a lot of encouragement. You gave me the power to be the person I am right now.'' His address was met by a standing ovation from the more than 200 people in attendance.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF

"OUR FIGHT4TERRI"
at
www.Fight4Terri.com

Tentative Release Date from Trafford Publishing Week of September 26, 2005

The first expose and sourcebook on the Terri Schindler-Schiavo case! Discover the true facts behind the most significant legal battle over constitutional rights of the disabled in history. Read the actual documents. Discover the dangers all Americans face with Terri's death!

Cheryl Ford, RN (www.Fight4Terri.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.

"We Will Not Perish In this House, We Will Survive"

2005-09-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Normally, I do not post anything on this BLOG that does not pertain to Terri. However, this story is another example of the sad situations that occur in this country.

Written by Cheryl Ford RN
© 2005

September 21, 2005

"We will not perish in this house, we will survive." Those were the words that were shared with me yesterday after having a long telephone conversation with Rechell Carter, a 41 year old single mother who survived for three days in an attic with her 14 year old daughter Brianna, her elderly parents, and six other people after their home was flooded in Violet, Louisiana.

In the last few weeks, while volunteering my time with the Katrina Caravan, I have encountered many sad stories. Rechell's courageous, yet tragic experiences inspired me to write about her families survival.

The worst of Hurricane Katrina had passed. The streets were dry, and the sun was shining again. Rechell Carter, recalled how she was standing in her kitchen relieved that her home had only suffered one broken bedroom window as a result of the storm. It was 9:00 AM, the morning after Katrina's winds had shaken the old wooden frame home all during the night. Rechell Carter was preparing breakfast for her daughter. The comfort of knowing they had survived the hurricane without much damage was interrupted by the sound of a woman's voice on a megaphone coming down the street. The voice had yelled,"Mandatory evacuation, expect 15 to 20 feet of water."

Rechell recalls how the woman's voice echoed in the distance as she traveled in a police vehicle with the lights flashing up and down the other streets in her neighborhood. She said, the police car never returned again after the one announcement. Not clearly understanding why there was an announcement for them to evacuate, knowing the storm was already over and the sun was shining, Rechell panicked after hearing that 15 to 20 feet of water was coming.

Rechell explained, that they did not have any extra money to evacuate. Disabled herself, she lives on a very limited income of $700.00 a month. She didn't know what to do. There were still no buses running as a result of Hurricane Katrina, and she is not an owner of a vehicle. Not certain when to expect the 15 to 20 feet of flood waters, or, knowing how long they had to prepare, she immediately called to her daughter Brianna. She and Brianna decided to flee to her parents home, located one block away. Rechell's home did not have an attic, however, her parents home did.

When she arrived at her parents home, she had found her parents and other family members still in bed. She called to her family and told them to get
dressed right away, yelling, "There were supposed to be flood waters coming."

She said, about 40 minutes had gone by since first hearing the lady on the megaphone in the police car, when all of a sudden she heard a very loud explosion. "It sounded like a big boom, like something had been blown up." Rechell explained that she and her family did not know what had caused the explosion.

Hurrying to pack some food and water for her family, not knowing what they were going to do, or where they would go, her mother had come into the kitchen and shouted, "Rechell, what is that water on the kitchen floor!" Before Rechell could grab for a towel, the water was already up to their ankles. She frantically ran for her elderly and obese father, helping to push him up into the attic. Rechell cried as she told me how within 15 minutes after hearing the loud explosion, the water had already reached the ceiling in their house. Rechell shared how she and her family had barely made it into the attic before the house was overcome with dark, oily water.

Rechell continued, "After hearing the explosion, it all happened so fast, it was like someone had opened the entire river and poured it on us. There was no time for any of us to do anything after that woman had come down our street telling us there would be 15 to 20 feet of water." In between Rechell's tearful gasps for breath, she told me how their family cat had just had kittens, and how there was no time at all to save them.

Balancing and holding each other up on the attic beams, they each prayed for three long days that they would not fall asleep and fall backwards through the ceiling into the 20 feet of murky dark waters that had filled their home. They had managed to knock out 5 holes in different sections of the roof, so two heads could poke out of each of the holes and wave their shirts for help. All the time, hoping that the beams in the attic would not collapse. During the three days, they had witnessed one red helicopter come and rescue three neighbors from their roof. After that, every time they would hear a helicopter fly over, Brianna, 14 years old, would look at her Mom and say, "Listen Mommy, they are coming back to save us, please don't cry." However, the helicopters would pass them by. She said, there were many other families who were also stranded on the rooftops. Neighbors would often yell from one roof top to another asking, "how everyone was doing?"

With only a bag of chips, a few pieces of bread and a bottle of water that was sparingly shared amongst ten people, the three days ended when they heard a voice calling to them, "Are you in there?" The voice was Brianna's father who had swam through the murky and foul waters pulling a boat on a rope to their home. "My daughter's Daddy saved our lives," said Rechell. They all slid from the rooftop into the boat.

Their nightmare was long from over. Brianna's father managed to bring them in the boat to the top of a dry levee. There, the family remained surrounded by the dirty flood waters. Hundreds of others who had escaped the flooding in their homes had tiredly made it up the levee as well. Rechell continued, "it was horrible, we all felt like it was the end of the world, we had nothing but each other. We were all dirty, wet, tired, thirsty and hungry. Children were crying and parents were upset not knowing how to help them."

Rechell recalled how the men who she would have normally referred to as the "thugs" in her neighborhood, ended up being the "unsung heroes;" the people who had helped to save the adults and children on the levee from thirst and hunger. She said she witnessed them leave the levee and wade out into the dark, dirty waters and push their fist and arms threw panes of the local store windows, often cutting their arms up badly, in an effort to bring the people and crying children food, water, diapers and juice. Another two nights had gone by according to Rechell, and there were still no signs of helicopters or rescue people coming to help the people stranded on the levee.

Mid morning day three, Rechell recalls how a local man had driven into the water in a huge dump truck. She said the people were so desperate for help and medicine by that time, they jammed as many as they could into the back of the truck. She said, "I thought the truck was going to fall over, there were so many people in there." The man drove them out of the water to dry land. From there, they had walked about three miles before they saw a large barge where hundreds, if not thousands of people, were sitting closely together. There were police officers surrounding the barge. She said they gave them life vests. They sat in the hot sun on the barge for another day, or so. She said after three days in the attic, and two nights on the levee, she began losing track of time. She did recall how they were told not to move around on the barge because it had no side rails and they did not want the people to fall over board. She remembered that from the barge they were transported to Algiers and then escorted to buses where they were driven for 9 hours to the Astrodome in Houston.

Rechell explained, "the people from Houston certainly tried, they gave us water, food and juice, but being at the Astrodome, was just like reliving a different kind of nightmare." She said, when in the Astrodome, they could not help but to feel like animals being herded into an overcrowded pasture. Rechell explained, "It was incredibly loud all of the time, and it was obvious that no consideration was given to the kind of people who were allowed in the Dome, or, who were being placed next to us on cots. There were people from all walks of life."

After 12 long days living in what Rechell describes as another...
"frightening and inhumane experience," she explained how her fears were heightened when she and her daughter Brianna had gone to the showers stalls, to find they had been roped off with tape. A man had told them to go away because the showers were being isolated as a crime scene. She learned that a young girl had just been raped in the showers.

Rechell conveyed how 12 days of living in the Dome was about all she could take before finally breaking down into uncontrollable hysterics. Her uncontrollable tears had brought a volunteer to her side, who then had made arrangements for the family of four to be taken to a smaller shelter in what used to be a boys home.

Rechell told me that she was still not sure where her parents, or other family members were. She said, they had all been separated in Louisiana when they boarded the buses to Houston.

Rechell said FEMA had given them some money, but it wasn't enough for the four of them to relocate into another home in an unknown city, to find transportation, or to eat while waiting on new jobs. She said they have nothing, all is gone, but they are very grateful to God that they have each other. She ended by saying.......... "once we locate a home, my main worry will be to find my Brianna counseling." She said, Brianna is afraid to leave her side, ........."Every little noise is a memory of the loud explosion she heard before the waters came and rapidly filled her Grandma's home."

Needless to say, Rechell's story took my breath away. To think, there are thousands of devastated and homeless families right now in America as a result of a city who did not pay attention to the potential levee problems they were warned about many times over, is beyond belief!

After hearing Rechell's story, I, as a concerned citizen and taxpayer, have many questions ringing through my mind. What was the explosion the family heard right before the flooding had rapidly filled their home? Why did the police woman appear to know exactly how much water would be flooding into Rechell's neighborhood, if there was supposedly only an initial leak (as the news had reported) in the levee? Would a leak actually cause a barrage of 15 to 20 feet of water to pour into the neighborhoods so quickly? Why did the police woman with her megaphone appear to know she could safely drive up and down the streets giving warning to the neighborhoods and then leave, before the water would flood the people out? Why did there appear to be some sections of the city that were flooded, and others, such as the French Quarters, that were spared massive flooding? After all, isn't the entire city in a bowl? I am not certain what actually happened in New Orleans, however, after hearing Rechell's story, it seems to me there are situations that occurred with regard to levees that should be of major concern to all people in America. Many people are now homeless and destitute. Besides those who have lost their lives as a result of an engineering nightmare that should have been dealt with many years ago.

If the Mayor of New Orleans, the Governor of Louisiana and the Congressional Representatives from Louisiana are now demanding that the United States citizens pick up a 250 billion dollar tab, that they alone have determined to be the cost for what happened to the thousands who have lost their jobs, homes, neighborhoods and lives in Louisiana, it seems appropriate that the citizens of America be allowed to investigate what actually happened with regard to the breaks in the levees.

I have taken Rechell's phone number and address, and I have given her mine. Somehow, someway, with the help of God, I will find a way to help Rechell's family. They have nothing but each other, and, whatever donations they receive from the generosity of people. They have no identification with them, because there was no time to retrieve anything. Therefore, until they can obtain picture ID, they are unable to cash checks, or money orders.

They were able to use some of the funds provided to them from FEMA to buy some new undergarments. They also purchased a cell phone so they could try and find other family members, and to hopefully, help them to make the necessary contacts in order to rebuild a new life somewhere.

If you are wishing to help Rechell and her family, please contact:
Cheryl Ford RN by email at: Fight4Terri@aol.com or, you can forward donations directly to: Rechell Carter, PO Box 6833019.. Houston, Texas 77268
Any thing you can give to help Rechell and her 14 year old daughter Brianna rebuild their lives, I know, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

About the Author: Cheryl Ford, RN (www.Fight4Terri.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.

Michael Schiavo to tell his side of the story in book

2005-09-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

RN Ford Comments: The article reads ....
"Brian Schiavo said the book will be his brother's "opportunity to talk and explain the real truth of what happened."

The REAL truth? What Brian Schiavo fails to recognize is the only person who could have told the REAL truth about her UNEXPLAINED collapse in 1990, Michael Schiavo made certain to have eliminated. Michael Schiavo NEVER provided Terri with the opportunity to tell HER side of the story, or HER wishes. How typical of Michael Schiavo to think society would share in his ignorance. The TRUTH is what the WORLD witnessed on national television on March 31, 2005, when he inhumanely dehydrated and starved an innocent brain injured, but otherwise HEALTHY human being to her death!

* People have NOT forgotten the TRUTH Michael and Brian Schiavo! *
----

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/breaking_news/12680336.htm

AP Wire | 09/18/2005 |
Michael Schiavo to tell his side of the story in book
Posted on Sun, Sep. 18, 2005

Associated Press

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Vietnam veteran Michael Hirsh, who has written three books about the military, is co-authoring a book with Michael Schiavo to tell his side of the story in the end-of-life case that divided much of the country.

Schiavo's wife Terri suffered a brain injury in 1990 that left her in what some doctors called "a persistent vegetative state." She died earlier this year after a bitter court battle between her husband and her parents.

Hirsh, 62, expects the 280-page book, "Terri: the Truth," to be available just before the first anniversary of Terri's death. Dutton Publishing publicity manager Jean Anne Rose confirmed that the company is publishing the book in March.

Michael Schiavo's decision to remove a feeding tube that kept his brain-damaged wife alive alienated him from her parents, drew a Congressional intervention and even prompted criticism from President Bush.

But it was Gov. Jeb Bush's order in June for an investigation of whether Schiavo delayed calling 911 when his wife collapsed that motivated Hirsh to become involved.

"There are people who did or said unconscionable things about him, and they started with the president of the United States and worked their way down," said Hirsh, a former Los Angeles television producer.

Brian Schiavo said the book will be his brother's "opportunity to talk and explain the real truth of what happened."

ORDER YOUR COPY OF "OUR FIGHT4TERRI" at www.Fight4Terri.com
Tentative Release Date from Trafford Publishing Week of September 26, 2005

The first expose and sourcebook on the Terri Schindler-Schiavo case! Discover the true facts behind the most significant legal battle over constitutional rights of the disabled in history. Read the actual documents. Discover the dangers all Americans face with Terri's death!

Cheryl Ford, RN (www.Fight4Terri.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.

Coming Soon, week of September 26, 2005, New Release, Our Fight4Terri

2005-08-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

Introducing the FIRST expose and sourcebook on the Terri Schinder-Schiavo case!

Anticipated Release Date, September 26, 2005

Our Fight4Terri

Order your copy at www.Fight4Terri.com

We hope that many of you will find the information in our book about Terri helpful in gaining perspective about the true facts and findings that went into our personal involvement's in helping fight for Terri.

Thousands of hours of legal and medical expertise from those directly involved here in Florida have gone into the findings you will read about in the book Our Fight4Terri.

Information and excerpts from a manuscript of Our Fight4Terri book was personally provided to television reporter Sean Hannity when he came to Florida during the last nine days in March as Terri laid dying of starvation and dehydration. Hannity used some of the research you will read in the book
Our Fight4Terri on his 9 day television broadcast to help him expose Terri's travesty.

Carla Sawyer Iyer, the nurse who personally cared for Terri reports........
"Mark Furhman just arrived in Florida last week and called me for information about Michael; it appears all the research we have done in Our Fight4Terri has finally taken on enough interest to draw even Mark Furhman's attention." Other medical experts who have contributed freely of their knowledge and expertise to Our Fight4Terri have also notified us of recent contact by Mark Furhman.

Discover the true facts behind the most significant legal battles over constitutional rights of the disabled in history. Read the actual documents in
Our Fight4Terri.

Discover the dangers all people face with Terri's death!

Trafford Publishings tentative release date the week of September 26, 2005

Read more at: www.Fight4Terri.com

Sherri sends her comments to the Florida State Guardianship Association and Ken Goodman

2005-08-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

HOW DISGUSTING and you preface it with the comment below. Hell no he didn't, he had to cover his tracks and make sure she could never speak or write or communicate that it is Michael Schiavo who put her in the situation she was found in. He wanted to make sure she took it to the grave with her and that he and his cronies covered up their crimes.

"We see a lot of situations where family steps away," said association president-elect Michelle Kenney, a care manager and professional guardian in Broward County. "He stuck by. He didn't walk away."

Obviously you condone LEGALIZED MURDER and you chose to OVERLOOK THE LACK OF TREATMENT HE DIDN'T GIVE HER AFTER HE GOT THE MONEY TO CARE FOR HER. DO NOT RESUSCITATE OR ALLOW HER EVEN ICE CUBES OR DENTAL CARE? Come on. Cut the crap.

Controversial doesn't even begin to describe your choice. YOU SELECTED HIM BECAUSE YOU CONDONE MURDER yet you wish to call it CARE AND COMFORT. You deserve no better than to SUFFER WHAT TERRI SUFFERED, and I can only hope that you reap what you sowed. As For Michael, I hope he rots in hell and anyone who helped him hopefully will get the same as you certainly DO NOT DESERVE PRAISE, ADMIRATION OR ANY REWARDS. YOU ARE DESPICABLE.

SherriCorrell@msn.com

Mongold sends her opinion to the FSGA about Michael Schiavo

2005-08-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Sirs: 8-11-05

It is unbelievable to me that a group such as yours would choose to so brazenly offend those who are in mourning by honoring Michael Schiavo in the face of this highly charged battle of life and death. Regardless of your obvious support for Michael Schiavo, it would have showed more grace and class to refrain from public gloating. Has your pro-death agenda blinded your group so callously that you have forgotten that a person is dead? If Mr Schiavo in fact loved his wife as he said he did, I should think he would not be in a banqueting mood.

The actions of your group reveal your heart and your motives as well as those of Michael Schiavo by his acceptance of this award. He got what he wanted, why does he have to cruelly dance to the music of death, and why do you pipe the tune?

S Mongold
N.C.

Mr. Fredi D'Alessio's letter to the Florida Guardianship Association for their honoring Michael Schiavo for Terri's death

2005-08-11T05:24:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Florida Guardianship Association!

According to your website:
FSGA is dedicated to promoting the protection, dignity, and value of incapacitated persons through a code of ethics, advocacy, and the dissemination of information. FSGA's mission also includes a focus on furthering the professionalization of guardians as accountable court representatives through education, networking, and legislative action.
A guardian is directed by ethics and statute to make decisions in the best interest of the ward.
And to be nominated for the Distinguished Guardian of the Year:
The awardee must:
meet the criteria for a Guardian set in FL Statue 744
demonstrate leadership and contribute to the Profession of Guardianship
The awardee should:
be recognized by his/her peers as a positive reflection of the profession
demonstrate a working knowledge of the FL Statues
represent his/her wards with service that improves the wards quality of life
The public stand you took in selecting Michael Schiavo for your Distinguished Guardian of the Year award is indeed a public service as it reveals just how far you have drifted from your original (I presume) good intentions. Thank you for no longer concealing the fact that you have nothing but contempt for everything and everyone you claim to stand for. Do complete this act of openness by updating your website accordingly.

Sincerely,

Fredi D'Alessio, California

Ellen Prouty is appaled at the honoring of Michael Schiavo by the Florida State Guardianship Association

2005-08-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

I am appaled that you selected Michael Schaivo as the guardian of the year.

There was a conflict of interest, he may have been "the legal husband and guardian" of his wife, but he had a "marriage-relationship" and other family.

He had testified that he wanted to take care of her during the malpractice trial and upon the settlement of the case it was then he remembered that his wife would not want to live in as an invalid.

This whole situation is a black mark against not only Florida's guardianship regulations, Florida judicial system and indeed our whole country.

Ellen Prouty

Ms. Carber questions the actions of the Fla State Guardian Association

2005-08-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

What is your justification for organizing a banquet to honor this man? He is not an employee of the State of Florida, he has done nothing for Florida, he has brought a mountain of controversy to Florida. Your organization of such runs counter to the efforts of the Governor of Florida. What is your reasoning?

Veronica Carber
Zachary, LA 70791

Ms. Elsie Roger Joiner criticizes the Florida State Guardian Assoc for honoring Michael Schiavo

2005-08-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

To the "Guardians":
Human nature never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think people have reached new lows, someone lowers the bar yet again, and there are seemingly no barriers; no conscience, for these people.
Kenneth Goodman is in good company with his publicly lauded hero, Michael Schiavo...and your organization. Michael Schiavo is a hero to thousands?? Dear God! What a claim to fame...much like Hitler is still revered by many deluded people. Michael Schiavo is a MURDERER, sir! Most people I've talked to have a disgust for him which he's well earned. He claims to have "honored Terri" with his hard-fought battle to have her dead; the man knows NOTHING about the word 'honor'! Had he truly believed her to be incapable of thought and awareness, what harm would it have done to allow Terri to live, in response to her birth family's pleas for her life to be spared? Doesn't he think that if Terri could have been aware of the suffering her family was enduring, she'd have begged him to allow her to live if only for THEIR sakes? He couldn't possibly honor Terri and show her family such DISHONOR through their pain and grief! Michael Schiavo used every opportunity he dared to use to strip them of every concession possible where Terri was concerned. I pity those who can't see this blatant hatred and striking out at them...such as showing up in her room conveniently just before she died, then having her real family removed only minutes before her death, and claiming that he didn't want her last moments to be spent with a police officer having to maintain the room. What a crock!! He'd planned all along to deny them being there at the moment she died, just as he planned and plotted to keep them away from the disposal of her body...and if I had my guess, I'd wager that Terri's remains aren't even in that grave. No sir, if I were a maniac of Michael's type, I'd know that this would be the last chance I'd have to best the Schindler family and deny them something they desperately needed to content their poor hearts...I'd bury something else and flush Terri's ashes down the toilet, then sit back and secretly laugh at her family about it. Then I'd deliver my knockout punch: her tombstone wouldn't even pay tribute to her; it'd focus on ME. I'd have it put on the headstone "I kept my promise." I wish an exhumation could be done, and you might just realize the depth of this man's sick depravity...but no, I doubt this, because you'd doubtless justify it somehow.
I admit to not being the brightest bulb on the string of lights, but even I can see right through this anomaly called Michael Schiavo! Hero? Indeed! I feel so sorry for those whose heroes must be garnered from depths so low they're almost already in hell.
I'll bet the ACLU is an honorable organization, in your opinion. Sad. Just sad.
You'll note, please, that I didn't preach a religious message to you -- this isn't about religion. It's about simple, common decency and values...or the lack thereof. Too bad that Terri's supporters were discounted by some to be "religious zealots." Many of them I know have no faith whatsoever; they're just people with honor.

Elsie Rogers Joiner
Alabama

The Ferguson's from South Carolina write the Florida Guardianship Association

2005-08-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO REPRESENT THE DISABLED PEOPLE OF FLORIDA. YOUR ORGANIZATION SHOULD HAVE FOUGHT FOR TERRIS LIFE. THERE WAS NEVER ANY WRITTEN INDICATION, OR ANY OTHER BELIEVABLE INDICATION THAT TERRI WOULD HAVE WANTED TO TAKE SUCH DRASTIC MEASURES TO END HER LIFE AS A DISABLED WOMAN. SO MUCH MORE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE FOR HER AND IF YOU CARED, YOU WOULD HAVE READ THE WHOLE AUTOPSY WHICH SHOWED THAT TERRIS FRONTAL LOBES WERE FULLY INTACT AND WORKING FINE. SHE FELT THE PAIN OF STARVATION AND DEHYDRATION, WHICH IS WHY THE DRUGS WERE ADMINISTERED. SHE GASPED FOR BREATH WHILE YOU WERE PLANNING ON AWARDING THIS POOR EXAMPLE OF A HUMAN BEING NO LESS A HUSBAND AN AWARD? SHAME ON YOU.

I PRAY YOU WOULD REALIZE HOW INAPPROPRIATE IT WAS TO DO WHAT YOU DID, AND HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL GRIEF YOU CAUSED EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED TERRI'S FIGHT FOR LIFE, WHICH ACCORDING TO ZOGBY'S POLL, THE ONLY ONE WRITTEN WITHOUT A BIAS SLANT, OVER 80 PERCENT SUPPORTED LEAVING TERRI ALONE TO LIVE WITH HER PARENTS. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DESERVED THE AWARD. THEY WERE TRUE TO THEIR DAUGHTERS BEST INTERESTS AND FOUGHT FOR HER TILL THE END. THEY WERE THEY ONES THAT EXEMPLIFIED WHAT A TRUE GUARDIAN SHOULD BE AND DO. NOT A MAN WHO HAS NOT EVER AGREED TO GO ON THE RECORD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT OF TERRIS INJURIES. HE REFUSES TO BE QUESTIONED, AFTER INTERVIEWS HE HAS GIVEN OVER THE YEARS CLAIM MANY DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE EVENTS THAT LED TO TERRIS BEING DISABLED. THIS MAN STAGED THE STORY OF WHAT WOULD BE RELEASED ABOUT HIS WIFES LAST MOMENTS, GRABBING THE STUFFED CAT OF TERRIS AND SHOVING IT UNDER HER ARM, "CRADLING" HER BODY THAT RESEMBLED A HOLOCAUST VICTIM, WITH MICHAEL GIVING HER A ROSE, WHEN TERRI WOULD HAVE BEGGED FOR THE WATER IN THE VASE IF SHE COULD HAVE. HE RELEASED THIS SCENARIO BY ACCIDENT TO A NETWORK WEBSITE, WHO POSTED IT BEFORE TERRI DIED! THIS IS THE MAN YOU HONORED!!

THE SAME MAN SO BITTER ABOUT THE MONEY HE WAS LOOSING IN TERRIS BANK ACCOUNT EVERY DAY, THAT HE WOULD CAUSE SO MUCH PAIN FOR HER PARENTS FOR SO MANY YEARS. THE MAN WHO COULD NOT LET GO OF HIS MEAL TICKET, EVEN IN DEATH. HE IS NOW LOOKING FOR A PUBLISHER FOR HIS BOOK, AND SELLING THE RIGHTS TO TERRIS STORY, ACCORDING TO HIM. HE WILL MAKE A LOT MORE THAN THE PALTRY MILLION OFFERED HIM TO LET TERRI LIVE. HE KNEW THAT. IF HE HELD OUT, HE WOULD GET 10 TIMES THAT, AND HAVE A LUCRATIVE SPEAKING CAREER AS WELL. tHIS FROM THE MAN EVERYONE SAID HATED TO WORK TO MAKE A LIVING. TERRIS DEATH MADE SURE HE HAD IT MADE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. LETTING HER LIVE WOULD NOT HAVE YIELDED THE SAME INCOME. I AM SO SADDENED THAT NO ONE CARED ENOUGH TO AT LEAST SPARE HER PARENTS THE EXTRA GRIEF FROM THIS SLAP IN THEIR FACE, AND HONOR TERRIS LIFE WITH THOSE WHO TRIED TO PROTECT IT. IF THERE WERE CONCRETE PROOF THAT TERRI WANTED TO DIE, THAT IS ANOTHER STORY. BUT THAT WAS NOT HER STORY.

YOUR DIRECTOR SHOULD BE FIRED AND SOMEONE SHOULD ISSUE AN APOLOGY TO THE PARENTS OF TERRI SCHIAVO AND THE OTHER AMERICANS WHO PRAYED THAT THIS MAN WITH NO INTEGRITY WHATSOEVER WOULD GO AWAY SIMPLY LET HER LIVE. HOW YOU COULD DO THIS, I HAVE NO IDEA . IF I WERE A DISABLED PERSON IN FLORIDA, WHO HAD NOT RELOCATED YET AFTER TERRIS DEATH, HOPING FOR THINGS TO GET BETTER. . . I WOULD CALL FOR A U HAUL IMMEDIATELY

Chris & Deb Ferguson
3503 West Hampton Pt. Dr.
Florence, SC 29501
Ferg7810@bellsouth.net

Gayle Miller from Colorado voices her opinions about the honor Schiavo received at the FSGA

2005-08-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

Dear executive office at Florida State Guardianship Association,

Florida is a very unique state. In Florida, the purpose and raison d'etre
of a guardian is to deny rehabilitative therapy to the disabled, subject the
disabled to sensory deprivation for however many decades it takes,
and eventually torture the disabled to a slow death by deprivation
of hydration and sustenance.

Your arrogant support for finding the most adverse guardian possible
to the wishes, religion, and needs of the disabled of Florida is
remarkable.

Your perversion of the word "guardian" is a testament to the
hypocrisy and crassness that temporarily controls Florida.

You are a cancer, and you will be removed.

Best regards,
Gayle Miller
Colorado Springs, Colordao

Bish Craig II feels sadness for America and for those who Honored Michael Schiavo

2005-08-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Michael Schiavo HONORED for Terri's death?! This is a sad time in American History. Especially for those of us who have fought so hard to save human LIFE most of our lives.

"Bish Craig, II , Bishop Craig Ministries - A Worldwide Prayer Chain www.bmc2.info

God Bless you Cheryl Ford,RN

Mrs. Fogarty voices her opinion to the Florida Guardianship Association

2005-08-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

Florida Guardianship Assoc.

Mr. Schiavo did not file annual reports in compliance with Florida guardianship laws. He did not allow Terri the needed ongoing physical and swallow therapies. She was not given the requirements of gynecological and dental care that was needed; and he summarily tortured her from disallowing her flesh and blood caring family from visits with her from time to time. Basically out of sheer malice for her family. Thus, torturing not only her family, but Terri herself.

Guardianship law requirements are not set simply to be ignored by anyone. There is no logical explanation for giving Mr. Schiavo an award other than to make a point. The point you made was to send a clear message to Florida guardians and the disabled community that requirements do not have to be followed, and guardians may have carte blanche in ignoring laws. This sets yet another dangerous precedent of malicious and negligent behavior towards their wards. Terri did not have a progressive terminal disease, nor was she on a ventilator or dialysis, she simply needed food and water sustenance. Yet, she was a pawn in the death culture of our time, slated for the kill of the most vulnerable, given no protection from being tortured for two weeks and made to die. How dishonored you are now that you blatantly give honor to such a barbaric and horrific murder.

I've learned a lot in the past few years regarding 'bioethicists,' they have no requirements for intelligence or compassion, as Kenneth Goodman so clearly shows. Ignorance is only bliss when it does not spread to others, as it has done in such a fashion in the 'florida guardianship association.' Our family and friends will never again step foot on Florida soil. Not only does ignorance reign, it is touted proudly.

Sheila Fogarty
Elkhorn, NE 68022
exp55grace@yahoo.com

Mrs. Lalley of Kentucky conveys her written words to the Fla State Guardian Association

2005-08-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Sir/Madam,
It is nothing short of amazing that, in Florida, one can be appointed Guardian over another person's life and limb, violate numerous laws regulating Guardians, and walk away free from prosecution, inheriting all that person has -- after ordering an agonizing death for them. It just defies the imagination of any right-thinking person. Then, just to throw salt in the wound, the Florida State Guardianship Association comes along and insults the sanity of the entire world by "honoring" that Guardian as "Guardian of the Year".
If, in Florida, you can tolerate this type of guardianship, you only show your disdain for the helpless. In putting forth the ridiculous notion that this person could receive an award for his merciless control of this patient, you are snubbing your nose at all law-abiding citizens who
trust that the State will look out for those who cannot look out for themselves. You also show the uselessness of your entire organization. What is your purpose if not to see that regulations are applied correctly by those appointed under your watch?
The case of Terri Schiavo was a wake-up call to millions of people. It is still an open wound in the hearts of all who followed the case. The shock of it is so deep that no amount of cover-up by all who had any involvement will ever diminish it's horror. That this nation, America under God, could turn it's back and allow a helpless person to go without aid for their condition for over a decade, lie alone and untreated for years in a hospice room meant for the terminally ill while our government paid the bill allowing the "Guardian" to inherit millions won for her care, and then pay snipers on the roof to keep watch lest anyone try to help her while she is starved and without water for 13 long days -- just staggers the imagination!
This "Guardian" lied to win the money. He killed her to claim the money while lying to the public that there was no money left. He claims he kept his promise to her; guess that doesn't mean his marriage vow. The "promise" he claims he kept was just something that grew out of a comment she supposedly made while watching a movie. The story began to take on it's own life and grew into the whole motive for her murder. Do you know any healthy 26-year old who has ever made anyone promise to kill them by starvation? Does anyone even care that starvation wasn't considered "life support" at the time she supposedly made this comment? How, then was this "promise" given to her? Common sense never had a place in this outrageous case of abuse.
The State of Florida has shown itself consistently to be a scary place for anyone to live or die. It's as if all the devils from hell are all over it. Murders of all kinds, -- each one more gory than the other, are taking place there. Insanity abounds. The State protects the evil doers. There is definitely something wrong there. By this award for the vilest Guardian anyone could hope not to have, you have shown that you are part of the problem and are not even wanting to be part of the solution. Don't think you are dulling the memories of those who watched this sad saga play out through your corrupt courts and your corrupt state offices by offering this stupid award to the perpetrator. The case of Terri Schiavo cannot be wiped from our minds and memories. It will forver be in our hearts because WE WON'T FORGET! The State of Florida cannot live this one down.

Sheree Lally
Louisville, KY

Mr. Bolt tells the FSGA what he thinks about them honoring Michael Schiavo

2005-08-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Executive Director
Florida Guardianship Assoc.

It has become obvious to me, now that you've disgraced the value placed upon being recognized by the Florida Guardianship Association by honoring Michael Schiavos for allowing you to participate and share equal credit in the unnecessary taking of yet another life. You and each member should feel shamed by your disregard for patients rights and human dignity.

These days, as I browse a site I created in Memory of Terri, I am flooded with the images of those finale days. Images of a police presence surrounding Terri's room. Had they been there to protect her I could admire them, but their presence like yours was to insure Terri would not be saved by those who felt compassion and love for Terri in her helplessness.

Even a simple desire by a small child wishing to save a life...with a very small amount of water cupped in his tiny hands led to his wrongful arrest, while the shadow of a murderer lurked nearby. Not even a child's innocence was going to prevent Terri's legal guardian, helped by the Florida Guardianship Association and Florida's judicial system in carrying out the murder of his wife. One lone woman, cut off from the world, unable to resist the abuse being done her. No, not by a stranger, but by her own husband, and the staff of the hospice in which Michael had imprisoned Terri.as he manipulated and connived to complete his diabolical goal.

America, Forced by the full might of government to watch helplessly as they protected those inflecting cruel and barbaric pain upon Terri, denying her of even the most basic of needed items to sustain life.

World Events forgotten as the media focused America's attention upon one women imprisoned in a house of horrors in a place I've never heard of before, tucked away in Florida. Oh the media loved it, and spared no expense in surrounding it with a circus like atmosphere. They even created polls to keep track of public feelings, did you know, only 1 of every 3 people polled supported Terri's right to life? I can guess where you stood in the polls.

May God have mercy upon you

Wm H Bolt

Mary Ann Kreitzer, President of Les Femmes shares her opinions with FSGA

2005-08-07T23:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Sir:

Many people are shocked at your naming Michael Schiavo "guardian of the year." I confess I could only wonder what kind of guardian you would censor? Michael Schiavo treated Terri with contempt and it is all a matter of public record. He kept her a virtual prisoner in her room, refusing her parents permission simply to take her out in a wheelchair on a fine day. He refused to comply with state-mandated requirements for guardians including an annual plan. He denied her any therapy, dental exams, routine medical exams, etc. for over ten years.

In the end he even denied her the comfort of her Catholic faith.

You claim he carried out her wishes? Since she never left a written record and friends testified that she intended to divorce Michael, how can you possibly conclude she wanted to be starved and dehydrated to death?

Your award to Michael Schiavo makes a mockery of those guardians who provide compassionate care to their loved ones.

Terri's parents were the ones who cared about their daughter and tried to protect her from what can only be described as an abusive situation. Michael, who gained financially from her death, had numerous conflicts of interest. He had moved on with his life but insisted on dehydrating Terri to death. Had he done it to a pet he would have been jailed for cruelty.

Most people have no idea that their living wills condemn them to a dehumanizing and agonizing death if they become dependent. Food and water are NOT medicine and never will be. And if a dehydration/starvation death is "euphoric" as Michael Schiavo and his lawyer claimed, then Adolf Hitler was a huminatrian for feeding prisoners in the death camps starvation rations and condemning some prisoners to starvation and dehydration in death bunkers.

Your award is offensive to all people who respect the dignity of human life.

Mary Ann Kreitzer
President, Les Femmes
1216 Mill Rd.
Woodstock, VA 22664
www.lesfemmes-thetruth.org

Betty Furey tells the FSGA what she thinks!

2005-08-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

What happened to Terri will never be forgotten. I never want to visit
Florida again. We are selling our Time Share in Orlando and have
purchased a second home in South Carolina. Those of you who are planning on giving
an award to Michael Schiavo are mentally ill. Follow the facts. Follow the
evidence. Don't sugar coat what happened to Terri. Terri, a disabled
woman, was horribly starved and dehydrated to death. There was no need for Terri
to die. Her parents wanted to care for her. Murder must not go unpunished. You all need to pray for your redemption. You disgust me. What goes around
will come around. The day may come when you too will die slowly as Terri
died. Terri was not dying until her tube was removed. All elderly and
midlife people should get the hell out of Florida. What was once a
beautiful place to visit, has now become a land of vultures just waiting
for the next victim to fall into your clutches. You are all a disgrace to the
human race.

Betty Furey
New Hampshire, South Carolina

MRS. ANGIE BORNE SHARES HER OPINIONS WITH THE FSGA

2005-08-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

HOW CAN THIS BE SO?????????????

MICHAEL SCHIAVO IS NOTHING BUT A FIRST DEGREE MURDERER. THIS IS WHAT MICHAEL WANTED, NOT TERRI. HE CONTINUED TO LET THE POOR SOUL ROT TO DEATH, BE DENYING HER REHABILITATION TREATMENTS ALL THOSE YEARS. I BELIEVE TERRI COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED EARLIER ON.
MICHAEL WENT ON WITH HIS SINFUL LIFE, HAVING A GIRLFRIEND AND THEN CHILDREN, WHILE NOT EVEN DIVORCED FROM TERRI.
TELL ME, HOW CAN YOU HONOR A MAN LIKE THAT??????
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?????????????///
i KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, MICHAEL IS A MURDERER, AND WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY COMING TO, TO LET THIS HAPPEN?
IS THIS WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO, IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS WAS TO HAPPEN TO ME, OR ANYONE ELSE?
MICHAEL SHOULD HAVE RELINQUISHED HIS RIGHTS TO TERRI AND GIVEN HER BACK TO HER PARENTS, WHO LOVED HER DEARLY AND MADE HER SMILE.
I AM SAD TO SEE THAT THIS COUNTRY ALLOWS THIS TO HAPPEN TO PEOPLE.
I AM SO GLAD THAT I DO NOT LIVE IN YOUR STATE, AND UNDER YOU AUSPICES.!!!

MRS. ANGIE BORNE
CALIFORNIA

Dr. Stern writes to the Florida Guardianship Association

2005-08-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

It is reprehensible that your organization would present an award to Michael Schiavo, the monster who condemned his wife to a slow death by dehydration. He claims that he was acting in accord with her wishes, but those wishes were never put in writing or heard by anybody other than he. Even if they were authentic, it is not our job to kill another human being. Your president-elect characterized Mr. Schiavo as having stuck by his wife. Sticking by one's wife does not include carrying on an affair with another woman for over ten years and fathering two illegitimate children. While few would have faulted him if he had divorced his wife and gotten on with his own life, his actions show that he was not an appropriate guardian. It is frightening that in Florida, when one's wishes were never expressed in writing, death is now the "default option."

Zev Stern, Ph.D.
1543 E. 23 St.
Brooklyn, NY 11210

Vicki Shaffer shares her opinion with the FSGA

2005-08-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

It is a hard job to be a guardian of a person with a disability. It is almost like a full time job. I do not understand why you would nominate someone such as Micheal Shiavo as guardian of the year. He did not care for his wife Terri Shiavo, nurses did. He did follow guardianship rules or file the yearly guardianship plan. He wasn't with Miss Shiavo everyday. He had moved on to a new family. Terri Schiavo was not dying. She was instead allowed to be murdered by Micheal Schiavo. A murderer is by no standard definition a hero. It is embarrassing that the state of Florida Guardianship Association would award someone who kept his wife locked in a room, let her teeth rot, didn't do the necessary repairs on her wheel chair, and last but not least did not allow the true people who love her to take her and care for her like the true human being she was. Could you please offer me an explanation as to why you would honor Mr. Schiavo as Guardian of the year?
Sincerely,
Vicki L Shaffer
West Virginia

Eleanor White conveys her feelings.

2005-08-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

If I lived in the vicinity of where Terri's ashes are buried,
I would sneak in some night and epoxy a bronze plaque
below where michael the cockroach engraved "I Kept
My Promise", with this text:

"You did keep your promise, Michael, and now,
God will keep HIS promise!"

Eleanor White
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada

Attorney Pat Anderson request a response from Bioethicist Kenneth Goodman after he recently Honored Michael Schiavo for Terri's death!

2005-08-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Goodman,

As Bob and Mary Schindler's former attorney, I have a passing fair familiarity with the facts of Michael Schiavo's conduct as a guardian for Terri Schiavo.

Did you know that FOR TWELVE YEARS -- from 1990 until 2002 -- Mr. Schiavo steadfastly refused to take the statutorily-mandated training all private guardians must undergo? Did you know his refusal came in the face of annual demands from the Clerk's office that he do so?

Did you also know that Mr. Schiavo did not file annual reports and plans in a timely fashion year after year and, for at least two years, filed no report and plan at all?

Did you know that when Mr. Schiavo did grudgingly and belatedly file plans -- there was no plan at all for her improvement?

Did you know the experimental surgical treatment that you specifically mentioned as praiseworthy occurred in NOVEMBER, 1990? Did you know that after the summer of 1992, Terri never received another minute of therapy of any kind -- including routine physical therapy -- up until the moment of her death, on Mr. Schiavo's orders?

These are facts documented in the court file, Mr. Goodman. They are not unwarranted "attacks" on Mr. Schiavo, simply facts that anyone who makes an effort can discover. The further fact that the Court did not ever sanction Mr. Schiavo for his shortcomings as a guardian is more a testament to an overloaded court docket than a testament to Mr. Schiavo's dedication.

Don't you think honoring Mr. Schiavo as "Guardian of the Year" is insulting to the thousands of honest, hard-working guardians who follow Florida law in act and spirit? There is much more to being a guardian than insisting on the ward's death, Mr. Goodman.

I would like to know how many of the Florida guardians voted on this year's award. Was it the entire membership or a committee of a handful of people?

Please do me the honor of a reply.

Pat Anderson
7116 Gulf Boulevard
Suite D
St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
727 / 363-6100

Angel sends a letter to the Florida State Guardianship Association about honoring Michael Schiavo!

2005-08-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

I am appalled that you are honoring Michael Schiavo. What he literally committed was legalized, state-sanctioned murder. He did not allow her the therapy that he promised she would get. There are testimonies of care-givers for her that document this fact. He would withhold antibiotics for live threatening infections, hoping for her quick demise. He has been engaged for a while now and has two children with his parramore. And you are honoring this person for his guardianship? How would you like to have him for your guardian? A scarey thought. SHAME ON YOU. You have a phone message from me also, and in it I mention a young lady by the name of Sarah who woke-up from a similar situation. Had Michael been her guardian she would not have had that option. We are not God; there is only one God and His name is not Michael. Or Elizabeth either.

Angelmist

Bykr shares an opinion about the FSGA

2005-08-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

My husband and I went swimming today. We left early, because someone vomited in the small roped-off swimming area of the lake. Then I came home and found this e-mail from you about the Florida State Guardianship Association honoring Michael Schiavo. I’m assuming the person who vomited in the lake saw your email before me.
Signed,
Bykr

M. Porter shares her views with the Fla Guardianship Association

2005-08-07T01:38:00.000-07:00

You people are clearly out of your minds.

A quote from one of your cronies:

"We see a lot of situations where family steps away," said association president-elect Michelle Kenney, a care manager and professional guardian in Broward County. "He stuck by. He didn't walk away."
Riiiight. Shacking up with his girfriend and having two kids with her was considered "sticking by" his wife?

You are glorifying a murderer. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Sincerely,

M. Porter
beatlemyn02@sbcglobal.net

Cynthia Caron emails her comments to the Florida Guardian Association

2005-08-07T01:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Florida State Guardianship Association,

I was stunned when I read that your group upheld and presented Michael Schiavo as a "hero" for his efforts to see his wife put to death by dehydration/starvation. I vote your Association as the most "Hypocrite Decision of the Year Award". What exactly did Michael Schiavo do that deemed him a "hero" in your eyes?

He swore under oath that if he was awarded malpractice money that he would use his nursing skills to care for his wife. He didn't.

He stated that he would buy a house, if awarded a malpractice award, and bring Terri home to care for her. He didn't.

He pledged, under the Catholic Church, to love, honor and cherish his wife as well as his pledge to fidelity through his vows. He didn't.

We are speaking of the same man that placed his wife in a hospice facility who was not terminal, dying, nor in poor health. She was merely a brain injured patient.

We are speaking of the same man that publicly posted another woman as his fiance' in his own mother and father's obituary column, on two seperate dates of course, and left his wife Terri's name out of the column as a member of the family.

We are speaking of the same man who could not keep his stories straight on the night of Terri's collapse. He has stated in various court affadavits and hearings conflicting statements from the time he came home, the time he woke up, the time he phoned for help, who he phoned for help, and including one testimony of finding her face down on the floor and another he stated he found her lying on her back, face up.

We are speaking of the same man that has manipulated the system from not filing required guardianship papers, to not following court orders in notifying the family of Terri's conditions, when changes, and who also used a hostage approach to keep her from her flesh and blood family.

And you call that a hero? What is wrong with you people in Florida? A hero is the caretaker who spends days and hours caring for their sick and ederly parents. A hero is the young mother advocating for her disabled child's rights. A hero is the local fire department who put their lives on the line to save lives under any and all conditions. A hero are the people who love others unconditionally and without prejudices and wish to care for those who cannot care for themselves....certainly not Michael Schiavo!

Cynthia Caron
New Hampshire

Carol Hvolboll forwards her written opinions to the Florida Guardianship Association

2005-08-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

I do not agree with or will I ever agree with the way Michael Schiavo treated his wife Teri. He should have let her go and let her parents take care of her instead of playing God and taking her life the way he did. Seems like a cover-up to me. Maybe, for a change, it would be nice if someone would really investigate what happened to Teri that day she went unconscious. Michelle Kenny"s comment abot Michael sticking by his wife would be funny if it wasn't tragic. He only wanted Teri out of the way and could'nt even wait to have an illigitmate relationship and have children with someone else while Teri was still alive. He has no character and as far as I am concerned committed murder and got away with it. You can give him all the awards you want to, but that doesn't change the facts. I want you to know many feel the way I do and do not reward murderers.
Thanks for reading this.
In Jesus love,
Carol Hvolboll
Orosi, Ca.

Kasia Coe sends an opinion to Florida Guardianship Association

2005-08-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

I read that Michael Schiavo was given an award. I have three disabled children. This is such an INSULT and a slap in the face to all of us. He's not a man who "stood by Terry." He PROFITED financially in a case where he sued to get money to take care of her to REHABILITATE HER. He melt down her wedding ring to make a ring for himself. He euthanized her pets, maybe in practice for her. He fathers illegitimate children with another woman while claiming to be such a devoted husband. The man is an infidel and I am sure will burn in hell. How can you give him an award? What's wrong with you people?

Kasia Coe
Freed From Evil@aol.com

Marilyn responds to Florida Guardianship Association

2005-08-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

Michael Schiavo stuck by Terri like an overhead circling vulture sticks by an injured animal.

Marilyln
mdb123@earthlink.net

Linda Cruz writes letter to Florida Guardianship Association

2005-08-06T15:51:00.000-07:00

You were hoping to gain notoriety by selecting Michael Schiavo as your award recipient, and so here in I add my voice to the din.

Mike Schiavo is no "hero". Perhaps it could be argued that he was in fact a "hero", if indeed he was upholding his wife's "wishes"; but there is not one shred of evidence--no testimony by anyone other than Mike and his brother, to suggest that Terri would have "wished" to die rather than live in the state she was in.

To the contrary, Terri's friends and blood family testified to the exact opposite! They testified that she had clearly stated that Karen Ann Quinlan should NOT be taken off life support, because "where there is life, there is hope", were her very words! Mike himself stated in his medical malpractice suit that he wanted to be a nurse so that he could care for Terri the rest of HIS own life, at home. No mention was made of Terri wanting to die, during his lawsuit. Check the transcripts.

The actual fact is, that Terri herself very clearly stated her "wishes" on the subject PUBLICLY, several times. Terri is a life-long Catholic. Terri publicly was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic religion. She followed that up with the public marriage sacrament of the Catholic church--in front of all her friends and family. These acts were strong declarations of her faith and affiliation to the Catholic church. Terri "wished" to be a Catholic. She did not publicly or privately renounce her faith or religion before her "accident". And in her religion, her religious leader, The Pope, had clearly condemned the starvation and dehydration of an individual as a sin. Suicide is clearly a sin. Terri would not agree to starving herself to death, as this act would be against her publicly declared and witnessed religious beliefs.

These public, and witnessed acts and declarations of faith should have held much more weight as to what Terri's wishes would be, than the single, unwitnessed declaration of a adulterous husband, seven years and a 1.6 million dollar settlement after Terri's "accident"!

Laci and Conner Peterson as well as Lori Hacking cry out and remind us that a "husband" does not always have their wife's best interests at heart--and should never have authority over his wife's body! For a husband to treat his wife as property to be disposed of, sets women's rights back to the 18th century!

Why celebrate a man who clearly did not keep his publicly witnessed marriage promise to Terri; for keeping an unwitnessed alleged murder "promise"?

Schiavo is no hero. He did nothing heroic, but rather he acted in a malicious, vengeful manner, that should be condemned, rather than celebrated. Shame on you for promoting his stubborn retribution against his in-laws.

During the time of Terri's plight my Aunt lay dying of Pancreatic cancer. I was there to witness my cousins feeding her, washing her, dressing her, singing to her, reading to her and lovingly caring for her in her own bed until she passed on. Their lives were put on hold. They did not sleep. They had cots on her floor. Their spouses stayed alone and were left to care for their children, as my cousins made my aunt as comfortable and happy as she could be, until her body could take it no more. Her bed sores were treated; when she could not talk, they talked for her. When she could not move, they moved her. She died surrounded by everyone who loved her. She died at home with those who had selflessly set aside their own comforts and needs to put her best interests in the forefront.

My cousins are the heroes who should be celebrated.

Nancy Reagan who lovingly cared for her husband, respecting his religious beliefs, and did not selfishly starve him to death, is a hero and should be celebrated.

Mother Teresa who lovingly cared for those whose society thought did not deserve to live, is a hero who should be celebrated.

Mike Schiavo is a self centered vengeful murderer.

~Sincerely,
Linda Cruz

John Sipos Sends Letter To Florida State Guardianship Association

2005-08-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

Members of the Florida State Guardianship Association

Who in God's name — no, let's go all the way and say, in Christ Jesus name — are you amoral animals who pause to applaud murder?

Terri Schindler Schiavo, an aware of self human being, knowing that people were coming to murder her, in the moments before she was painfully stabbed in her fleshy belly in the corrupt removal of her lifeline to natural food and natural water delivered through a natural gravity tube, was asked to say she didn't want to die. With conscious, deliberate, intellectual precision she first spoke softly, but knowing that would not be sufficient to convince anyone, she SCREAMED loud enough to be heard in the hallway outside her room at the hospice center for judicially sanctioned MURDER in Pinellas Park Florida, "I wahhhhhhhhhh..." to live. They she started to cry. Flash forward 13 days, as late as 10 o'clock the night before her murder was completed at the order of a pervert in judicial black robes -- the woman was still interacting with environment and with a girlfriend who by some miracle remained on the short visitors list.

Who in God's name are you amoral animals that you pause to essentially WORSHIP those who commit MURDER under color of guardianship laws corrupted? Your deviancy will be put to shame.

John Sipos
Tampa Bay Florida
jsipos@ij.net

Bcc: Jeb Bush, Bernie McCabe, FDLE, David Gibbs and others at his firm, the Schindler family, Pat Anderson, Deborah Berliner, Ken Connor, ACLJ, and other friends who love truth.

FLORIDA STATE GUARDIANSHIP ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 13978
Tallahassee, FL 32317
Email: executiveoffice@floridaguardians.com

Michael Schiavo Honored for Terri's Death!

2005-08-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Cheryl Ford RN Comments: He "stuck by her," Kenny states?
Schiavo has been carry on in an adulterous relationship for over ten years and has fathered two illegitimate children. Immediately after Terri's unexplained tragedy, he had dated several other women. Have the vows and definition of commitment and "sticking by" someone since changed in the last two decades? I don't think so! It is clear that Michelle Kenny is a part of the ignorant clan who paid no attention to the true FACTS behind Terri's situation.

It should not come as a surprise to me that it would be the Florida Guardian Association and the ignorance of its keynote speaker, Kenneth Goodman, who would acknowledge a person like Michael Schiavo. Goodman and I were guest speakers on a Ft. Lauderdale radio talk show a few months back. I decided to use the opportunity to publicly question him about just how much he knew about the specifics of Terri's case. When he could not appropriately respond to my questions on LIVE talk radio, stating he did not have the papers in front of him, it became clear to me that I was wasting my time speaking to a person who did not research the facts regarding Terri Schindler's case. People like Goodman migrate to Florida because of the obvious ease they can make a living advocating for the death of the innocent and disabled. The only "PRIMITIVE" in my opinion, is the thinking of the University of Miami BIOETHICIST, Kenneth Goodman!

It still remains despicable that an organization such as The Florida Guardianship Association would have the audacity to publicly support the cruel murder of a human being, that they would go so far to organize an award for a person like Michael Schiavo!

I surely hope that all the people who wrote and supported Terri throughout her inhumane death will take the time to write and show just how many "THOUSANDS" there are who did not agree with what Michael did to Terri!

kgoodman@miami.edu
Tel: 305-243-5723
Fax: 305-243-6416

Mailman Center for Child Development
Suite 2050
P.O.B. 016960
(UM M-825)
Miami FL 33101

FLORIDA STATE GUARDIANSHIP ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 13978
Tallahassee, FL 32317
Email: executiveoffice@floridaguardians.com

KRT Wire | 08/05/2005 | Guardians laud Michael Schiavo for fulfilling wife's wishes
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/12316077.htm

Posted on Fri, Aug. 05, 2005

Guardians laud Michael Schiavo for fulfilling wife's wishes

BY MAYA BELL

The Orlando Sentinel

DORAL, Fla. - (KRT) - He has been rebuked by the Vatican, castigated by Congress and slandered on the Internet, but Michael Schiavo was welcomed as a hero Friday by a state organization whose members make end-of-life decisions for people unable to make them for themselves.

The Florida State Guardianship Association bestowed its Guardian of the Year Award on Schiavo for carrying out his wife's wishes not to be kept alive artificially despite a drumbeat of withering criticism.

In a rare public appearance, Schiavo, 42, modestly accepted the award at the association's 18th annual conference at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa west of Miami.

"As you know," he said, "I'm not much of a speechmaker. I don't talk much. But on behalf of my wife Theresa, I thank you."

Association members, most of whom are appointed by judges to represent people who have been declared incapacitated, acknowledged Schiavo was a controversial choice and they anticipate a backlash. After all, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush joined world leaders from the president to the pope in aligning themselves with Bob and Mary Schindler, the couple who fought their son-on-law's effort to remove the feeding tube that kept their severely brain-damaged daughter alive for 15 years.

But, group members said, Michael Schiavo's unwavering commitment to honoring his wife's wishes in the face of public scrutiny and enmity embodied the professionalism and compassion with which court-appointed guardians quietly carry out their duties every day.

"We see a lot of situations where family steps away," said association president-elect Michelle Kenney, a care manager and professional guardian in Broward County. "He stuck by. He didn't walk away."

Added past president Joan Nelson Hook, an attorney from New Port Richey: "He was an ordinary guardian who carried out his duties in extraordinary ways."

News of the award brought the same swift reaction - surprise - from both sides of the right-to-die case that divided a family and a nation, but for wildly divergent reasons.

"Yikes! That took a lot of courage," said Bill Allen, director of the bioethics program at the University of Florida. "It would have been easier for them to whisper, `Atta boy!' privately and not take such a public stand."

"Oh, my God, that's offensive," said Brother Paul O'Donnell, a Franciscan friar who serves as the Schindler family spokesman. "Michael Schiavo ... basically let her rot."

State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who pushed legislation limiting the circumstances under which artificial sustenance and hydration could be withdrawn, called the recognition "ironic."

"There were a lot of issues that raised some questions about his credibility to act in her (Terri Schiavo's) best interest," Baxley said.

But Kenneth Goodman, a University of Miami bioethicist and the keynote speaker at the conference said the record speaks for itself. He noted that Michael Schiavo, a one-time restaurant manager, became a nurse to better care for his wife and took her to California for experimental treatment after her unexplained 1990 collapse consigned her to a persistent vegetative state.

"And then he's maligned and vilified and condemned when he decides to get on with his private life," Goodman said. "Frankly, what he said his wife wanted is what most reasonable people want. It's primitive to believe that human consciousness is not important. What most of us value about life is cognition and communication and interaction. We don't value simply not being dead."

Yet, association officials made it clear it is their job to adopt such "primitive" views if the incapacitated person they are appointed to represent held them. Conversely, it is their job to reject treatment or life-prolonging measures if their ward would have chosen to do the same.

"That is our main mission. We stand in their shoes," said association president Barbara Reiser, a public guardian in Miami.

Deciphering what Terri Schiavo would have wanted was at the core of the once-private family dispute that launched unprecedented but ultimately unsuccessful efforts in the Florida Legislature and Congress to keep her alive. Her feeding tube was disconnected in March, and she died 13 days later at age 41.

Though she never wrote down her wishes in the event she became incapacitated, her husband said his wife made it clear in casual conversations: She never wanted to be kept alive artificially, unaware of her surroundings, dependent on others for her every need.

But her parents' vehemently disagreed, saying their daughter was a devout Roman Catholic who would choose life no matter how she had to live. They also questioned their son-in-law's motives, accusing him of wanting his wife dead so he could inherit a malpractice settlement he won in her behalf.

However, like the guardianship association, the courts repeatedly found that Michael Schiavo acted in his wife's interests and carried out his guardianship duties professionally and compassionately.

As wellwishers lined up Friday night to congratulate Schiavo, he said the diamond-cut crystal award was the first public recognition of his actions, and he was deeply gratified by what it represented.

"These people are part of the silent majority," he said. "When Terri's wish was finally carried out, I had thousands and thousands of letters saying, `We are with you. We believe in you. You did the right thing.' Thousands."

---

Coming Soon!
READ
Over 400 pages
Trafford Publishing: Our Fight4Terrihttp://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/robots/05-1041.html

The first expose and sourcebook on the Terri Schindler-Schiavo case! Discover the true facts behind the most significant legal battle over constitutional rights of the disabled in history. Read the actual documents. Discover the dangers all Americans face with Terri's death!

Fight4Terri @aol.com

Theresa Marie Schindler
December 3, 1963 ~ March 31, 2005
Light a candle For Terri at her online Memorial Website
Memory-of.com - Memorial website in memory of Theresa Schindler (1963-2005)
http://theresa-schindler.memory-of.com/about.aspx

Visit: www.fight4terri.blogspot.com
www.Fight4Terri.com
Cheryl Ford, RN (Fight4Terri@aol.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.

The Death of Terri Schiavo

2005-06-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Catholic World News : The Death of Terri Schiavo

The Death of Terri Schiavo

If the courts had reconsidered the facts, if doctors had followed procedures, if reporters had asked obvious questions, if bishops had spoken out boldly-a gross injustice might have been averted.

By Father Robert J. Johansen

May 2005 (CWR) - On March 31, shortly after 9 am, Terri Schindler-Schiavo died as the nation, and even the world, watched. She died in the hospice bed to which she had been confined for over five years. Her death has been hailed as a victory for the “right-to-die” movement, and denounced by others as “judicial homicide.”

As she lay dying, the media kept a grim countdown of the number of days she had been without food and water, and pundits opined on the cable news shows and in the newspapers about “death with dignity” and the sanctity of life. Her death, and the circumstances surrounding it, was commented upon more widely than most in modern history, and yet also probably one of the most misunderstood.

Terri's feeding tube was removed, as Florida Circuit Court Judge George Greer ordered, on March 18, shortly after 2 pm. Terri's family-her parents Bob and Mary, and her brother and sister Bobby and Suzanne-had been with Terri for most of the day. Terri had received her last feeding at about 11 am. The Schindlers were told by the police officers who maintained constant guard outside Terri's room that they would have to leave. At this point, medical personnel removed the percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube that had been providing Terri's nutrition and hydration for some 15 years. From that moment on, Terri would receive no water or food, and thus began the “dying process” which would end 13 days later.

For the first few days, Terri appeared more or less “normal.” She continued to interact with her family and appeared alert. But after 3 or 4 days, the change in her condition became noticeable: Her skin started to appear dry and lifeless, and she became less responsive. By the seventh day, the Schindlers were telling me, in our daily telephone conversations, that Terri had become “lethargic,” and within a few more days, almost entirely unresponsive. Sometime around day 10 or 11 Terri suffered renal failure, which led swiftly to, and was the immediate cause of, her death.

THE LAST LEGAL BATTLES

In the weeks prior to the removal of Terri's feeding tube, and even while Terri lay dying, the Schindlers waged a legal battle to keep Terri alive. On February 25, Judge Greer ordered that Terri's feeding tube was to be removed three weeks hence. He also ruled that he would not hear any further motions or petitions from the Schindlers, except as they related to Terri's “dying process” and her final disposition. As the Associated Press reported:

The judge wrote that he was no longer comfortable granting delays in the family feud, which has been going on for nearly seven years and has been waged in every level of Florida's court system. He said the case must end.

“The court is no longer comfortable granting stays simply upon the filings of new motions,” Greer wrote. “There will always be 'new' issues.”

The Schindlers, in spite of Judge Greer's decision to refuse new motions, nonetheless filed several in the week following his setting of a new death date. Among these were petitions for new medical evaluations of Terri, a petition to allow Terri and her estranged husband Michael to be divorced, and a request to remove Michael as guardian.

Initially, Judge Greer held to his stated intent and dismissed these motions without hearing their merits. However, when threatened with the prospect of a successful appeal by the Schindlers on due-process grounds, Judge Greer relented and allowed most of the Schindlers' motions to be heard and argued. In the end, however, the hearings made no difference to the outcome of Judge Greer's decisions. During the week of March 7, Judge Greer:

o Denied the Schindlers' motion to compel Michael Schiavo's deposition in their case challenging his guardianship.

o Denied the Schindlers' motion for a divorce of Terri from Michael. The motion was denied on “Catch-22” grounds: Under the law, only spouses can request a divorce from each other. Since Terri could not speak for herself, she could not request a divorce. Only Michael, as guardian, could make such a request on Terri's behalf. Needless to say, Michael chose not to.

Then Judge Greer:

o Denied the Schindlers' motion to remove Michael as guardian.

o Denied the Schindlers' motion that attempts be made to feed Terri by mouth once the feeding tube was removed on March 18. George Felos, the attorney for Michael Schiavo, argued against this motion by asserting that if Terri was fed by mouth, she might aspirate the food and die an “extended, gruesome death.” This line of reasoning seemed bizarre, given that Felos was seeking Terri's death via starvation and dehydration over the course of a week to ten days.

o Denied the Schindlers' request that Terri be allowed to receive Viaticum (Holy Communion for the dying) by mouth. The judge ruled that if Terri was to be given Communion, it had to be done via her feeding tube.

o Denied the Schindlers' motion to allow their daughter to die at their home, noting the parents could visit the Pinellas Park hospice where she lived.

o Denied the Schindlers request to have Terri's intact body interred: He confirmed Michael's order that Terri was to be cremated upon her death. He also denied the Schindlers' motion to allow Terri to be buried in Florida. Michael intended to inter her cremated remains in Pennsylvania, where they are both from.

Judge Greer's ruling against the Schindlers on the matter of feeding by mouth seemed the most indicative of his frame of mind. By precluding attempts, as a “last ditch” measure, to feed her by mouth, the judge showed that his object was not merely to stop what he might (erroneously) argue is an “extraordinary” means of support, but to make certain that Terri died. One might make an analogy to someone on a respirator: frequently respirators are removed from patients, but sometimes they continue to breathe on their own without support. It is as though a judge were to order not only that a respirator be removed, but that the patient's mouth and nose be sealed with duct tape, just to make sure he couldn't get any air by any means.

TURNING TO LAWMAKERS

Following an unsuccessful round of appeals in the Florida and federal appellate courts, the Schindlers' efforts turned to obtaining legislative relief. The Schindlers lobbied the Florida legislature to pass a new version of “Terri's Law,” which had been struck down as unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court. But while the Florida bill seemed to stall, the Schindlers made more progress in the US Congress, where measures intended to grant a new review of Terri's case had been introduced in the House and Senate. The measure introduced in the House, the Incapacitated Persons Protection Act, was a broadly written bill that would have given the right to a federal hearing to a whole class of persons facing death by removal of nutrition and hydration. The Senate bill was more narrowly construed, providing relief to the Schindlers alone.

Americans were treated to a topsy-turvy public debate in which each side seemed at times to argue according to principles historically embraced by their opponents. Republicans such as House Majority Leader Tom De Lay decried the unaccountability and activism of our courts, while at the same time arguing for the passage of a bill which would bring Terri's case back before those same courts. Democrats, who have in the past defended intervention by federal courts in matters of state policy, found themselves arguing for States' rights, holding the decisions of the Florida courts sacrosanct.

The debate over the bills went on past the removal of Terri's feeding tube, and indeed, it seemed at points that no measure would be passed. Bobby Schindler went to Washington to lobby for the bills in the House and Senate, and met with every single member of both houses. Congressional sources described Bobby as “very persuasive” in his meetings with legislators. In one meeting, as he laid out the details of Terri's case, audible gasps were heard several times as the members were told of the string of injustices and errors which led to her judicially-ordered starvation.

In spite of the Republican support and Bobby Schindler's persuasiveness, there was formidable opposition to passing a law to save Terri. The ringleader of the opposition to the Senate bill, according to Bobby, was none other than Senator Ted Kennedy, the Catholic senior senator from Massachusetts. It struck me as ironic that Kennedy, whose opposition to the death penalty is passionate, led the opposition to a law that would have given Terri the same right to a hearing as condemned criminals. The opposition in the Senate led to the adoption of a compromise bill that gave relief to the Schindlers alone, and not the broader protection offered by the House bill.

In the early hours of March 21, the House passed Senate Bill 686, “For the Relief of the Parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo.” This bill provided for a de novo review of Terri's case, meaning that all of the issues and facts surrounding her case would have to be reconsidered.

This de novo review was essential: Although Terri's case had come before several state and federal courts numerous times, all of the courts' opinions were based on the same set of factual findings made by Judge Greer in his 1998 decision granting Michael the right to remove Terri's feeding tube. In that decision, Judge Greer ruled as a matter of fact that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state (PVS), and that Terri had indicated a wish not to go on living should she become dependent on artificial nutrition and hydration. As I have written before, both in CWR (November 2004) and in Crisis magazine (January 2004), these rulings were arrived at in a manner which rode roughshod over rules of civil trial procedure, and with what seemed to be a blind eye to the mountain of evidence contradicting them. The problem the Schindlers have faced, as I wrote in a recent article at National Review Online: …is that in our legal system, once a judge has ruled on a matter of fact, it is very difficult to revisit such a ruling. Lawyers have a rule of thumb that trial courts hear and rule on questions of fact, and appellate courts rule on questions of law. It is unusual for an appellate court to overturn a lower court's ruling based on errors regarding issues of fact.

And so, at every turn in this case, the Schindlers had to try to undo the faulty rulings of fact previously issued by Judge Greer. They had to go back before Judge Greer himself and try to convince him that he was wrong, and should undo his own rulings. Judge Greer proved unwilling to do so. Higher courts were unwilling to overturn a trial judge's rulings of fact and so, ruled against the Schindlers. The de novo review promised by the federal “Terri's Law” held out their only hope.

A PARTISAN STRUGGLE

That hope was never fulfilled, as the de novo review never materialized. It was well known that many jurists took offense at the passage of Terri's Law, which they interpreted as a congressional attempt to dictate how they should exercise jurisprudence. Speeches made by Rep. Tom De Lay and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist decrying “activist judges” and an “out-of-control” judiciary solidified the impression that the battle over Terri Schiavo's life had become part of a political struggle: Those on the right saw Congress as trying to check the abuse of power by unaccountable judges. Those on the left saw the ability of judges to enact social change by the exercise of their legal authority imperiled by Terri's Law.

The reaction in the judiciary was evident from the outset. First, federal judges seemed completely to ignore the provision in the new law to grant the de novo review. The “fresh look” at all of the facts and issues of Terri's case simply did not happen. Instead the judges confined themselves to re-examining the issues of law, just as they would have done if the federal legislation had never passed. But the direction that events would take was indicated by remarks made by a federal judge at the conclusion of the first hearing held after the passage of the federal law. Federal Circuit Judge James Whittemore declined to rule immediately on the Schindlers' request to re-insert Terri's feeding tube, pending new litigation. In a comment that seemed motivated more by pique than any legal considerations, Judge Whittemore declined also to indicate when he would issue a ruling. He said “I will not tell you when, how, or how long it will take.”

As it turned out, Judge Whittemore declined altogether the Schindlers' motion, and declined to allow the re-insertion of her feeding tube in light of further appeals. This act set the tone for the judicial decisions to come. In several forays up and down the federal court system, the Schindlers were rebuffed at every turn. The Schindlers' attorney, David Gibbs, announced on March 28 that their legal remedies were exhausted, and they would file no further motions or appeals.

ERRORS OF FACT

Terri's fate can be seen, ultimately, as the result of Judge Greer's dubious findings of fact at the 2002 evidentiary hearings, at which he concluded that Terri was in a PVS, and that she would not want to live in her disabled condition. The facts were crucial in deciding Terri's fate, as the result of Judge Greer's factual errors was fatal for Terri. These errors filtered into the public debate as well. There can be little doubt that much of the press coverage and commentary simply did not get the facts right concerning Terri's case, and this stream of misinformation weakened pubic support for Terri's cause.

In my 2004 CWR article “Saving Terri's Life” I described how the mainstream media was often content, during the 2003 conflict over the removal of Terri's feeding tube, simply to parrot the characterizations of Terri's case presented by Michael Schiavo and his attorneys, rather than actually to question their assertions and dig more deeply into the issues. Unfortunately, in this last round of debate and controversy, little changed. Some news outlets, such as Fox News, did a reasonable job of covering the issues fairly, and giving the pro-life position a fair hearing. Some commentators and pundits, such as Fox's Sean Hannity, took on Terri's cause as their own, and became powerful champions for her life. However, most media outlets were content merely to repeat or even amplify the “memes” about Terri's case.

(A “meme,” in popular parlance, is an idea that may have little foundation in actual fact-being the product of rumor, innuendo, or gossip. However, because the idea is in some way convenient or useful, it is picked up and spread casually without investigation, and gradually acquires a patina of truthfulness, simply because it has been repeated so often. Memes become pervasive ideas, and frequently have the power to change public attitudes and perceptions.)

There were a number of memes circulated regarding Terri's case and repeated unquestioningly by the mainstream media. Among these were the assertion, frequently heard on cable talk shows, that “12 (or 16 or 19) judges have heard the case and ruled against the Schindlers.” This assertion was offered as an argument for accepting the decision to remove Terri's feeding tube as one arrived at responsibly. But of course the number of judges who agree with a decision is irrelevant if all those judges' rulings are based on the same factual errors-which was precisely the case regarding Terri Schiavo. Again, all of the subsequent rulings on Terri's case were based on the same fact-findings made by Judge Greer; those findings were never re-examined.

Another meme frequently asserted was that “Terri was bulimic.” Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by “bingeing and purging,” and can cause serious health problems. This meme is interesting in that it was often introduced as a way of “blaming the victim”-the idea being that somehow Terri brought her situation on herself, and therefore deserved her fate. It is also is interesting in that it simply has no foundation in actual fact or evidence. The “Terri was bulimic” meme was the product of speculation offered by Michael Schiavo and his attorneys as to the cause of the cardiac arrest that led to Terri's brain damage. However, there was no talk of Terri suffering from bulimia or other eating disorders among Terri's family or friends before her injury. The assertion did not surface until well after Terri's collapse. Furthermore, there is no actual medical evidence of such a condition, unless you credit the circular reasoning employed by advocates of Terri's death. Their argument begins with the acknowledged fact that bulimia is a known cause of electrolyte imbalance of the sort that caused Terri's cardiac arrest; then the fact that Terri suffered an electrolyte imbalance is adduced as evidence that she was bulimic.

Far more damaging, however, were the memes circulated regarding Terri's medical care and diagnosis. I frequently encountered assertions that all medical options had been exhausted in Terri's case, and that Terri had had the best of care. Both assertions were simply false.

The fact is that Michael Schiavo, as Terri's guardian, had allowed no therapy or attempts at rehabilitation since 1992. He also forbade the physical therapy that might minimize contractures and muscle atrophy-a form of care that is commonly provided even for bedridden patients in a coma.

Furthermore, the idea that Terri has had the “best of care” is belied by the fact that, for the last five years of her life, Terri was at a hospice rather than at a nursing home or hospital. Hospice care is intended for patients who are recognized as terminal; only basic nursing and palliative care is provided. Therapeutic measures aimed at improving a patient's condition are not offered by hospice.

AN IRRESPONSIBLE DIAGNOSIS?

The most misleading memes surrounded Terri's diagnosis and medical condition. Readers and viewers of the mainstream media were barraged with reports that Terri was in a PVS, frequently without even the mention that this diagnosis had been challenged and was doubted by responsible doctors. I frequently encountered statements such as “all the doctors” who had examined Terri concluded that she was PVS, or a cleverer version that gave at least a nod to reality: “all the reputable doctors who examined Terri found that she was PVS.”

But such assertions ignore a disturbing set of facts which I discovered in the course of my research for the National Review Online article mentioned above. In my discussion with a number of board-certified neurologists, some of whom are professors of neurology at major medical schools, I learned that the diagnoses of the neurologists who appeared in court for Michael Schiavo, and the one appointed by Judge Greer, were arrived at in a manner inconsistent with sound neurological practice-a manner which did not live up to the guidelines established by the American Academy of Neurology.

First, although the doctors who examined Terri on behalf of the Schindlers asked for Terri to be given an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan, Judge Greer refused it, as the “star” medical witness for Michael Schiavo, Dr. Ronald Cranford, said that an MRI was unnecessary. Lower-quality CT (computer-aided tomography) scans were done instead. And who made the decision regarding which medical tests Terri was to have? Judge Greer did. According to Patricia Anderson, the attorney for Bob and Mary Schindler, until the fall of 2004, Judge Greer went down the list of tests requested by the doctors and himself “checked off” which ones Terri would receive. Judge Greer's method led Anderson to comment that the judge “practiced quite a bit of medicine in this case.”

As the facts about Terri's diagnosis came out in the weeks before and after the removal of her feeding tube, many neurologists expressed dismay with the lack of advanced imaging procedures. Indeed, nearly 50 neurologists-all of them board-certified and many of them leaders in the discipline-came forward and either offered, or expressed a willingness to offer, affidavits calling on the court to allow new neurological exams of Terri, including advanced imaging tests such as MRI.

The neurologists I have interviewed all acknowledge that the diagnosis of PVS is primarily “clinical”-that is, arrived at mainly on the basis of examination rather than from tests. However, many also asserted that they would themselves order an MRI in a case like Terri's, when life and death are at stake. As one of them, Dr. Peter Morin, explained, an MRI is very useful in “determining the extent of brain injury,” and in assessing the likelihood of the patient's improvement or recovery. Dr. Kalarickal Oomen, a professor of neurology at Oklahoma University Medical School, added that “MRI in many cases gives much better anatomic detail than CT, and is far superior” to the CT scans which were done on Terri in 2002. The value of MRI in assessing brain-injured patients such as Terri led several neurologists to go so far as to characterize a decision deliberately to forego one (as was done with Terri) as “not responsible.”

The guidelines laid down by the American Academy of Neurology for diagnosing patients suspected of being vegetative remark that the diagnosis of PVS can require months to establish. These guidelines also call for careful, repeated examinations of the patient. Neurologists explained that these repeated visits need to be conducted at varying times and under different circumstances. Thus Dr. William Bell, a professor of neurology at Wake Forest University Medical School, explained that brain-injured patients have severely disrupted sleep/wake cycles, and that a doctor can examine such a patient on one day and find him seemingly unresponsive, but return at a different time the next day and find the patient quite alert and aware of his environment. A 1996 article published in the British Medical Journal, which reported a 43 percent error rate in diagnoses of PVS, also cautioned that a “bedside assessment” alone was “inadequate” to make a diagnosis of PVS.

But the exams conducted by the three doctors retained by Michael Schiavo and the court were in fact nothing but the kind of “bedside assessments” deemed “inadequate” in the British Medical Journal study. Each doctor examined Terri for no more than 45 minutes, on only one occasion. Neurologists I interviewed did not object to the length of the exams, saying that a neurological exam could be conducted in 30 to 45 minutes. However, all of them expressed dismay at the lack of repeat exams. Dr. Mouhammed Kabbani, of the University of Missouri Medical School, said: “A single exam for 45 minutes is not enough. There should be continuous observation over a few days to make sure there is, or there is not, meaningful and reproducible response.”

The claims regarding the reliability of Terri's diagnosis of PVS turn out, on further examination, to be as groundless or exaggerated as the many other memes propagated by the media. Dr. Bernardine Healy, former director of the National Institutes of Health and medical columnist for US News and World Report, lamented that the medical procedures followed in Terri's case were simply “not good enough” for a situation “when life-and death-are on the line.” While some reporters and commentators, such as Dr. Healy, attempted to stem the tide of misinformation, they appear to have been drowned out. This lack of diligence by the press, and, in many cases, seemingly willing cooperation with the pro-death agenda, led Nat Hentoff, the acknowledged leftist and avowed atheist writer for The Village Voice, to describe the coverage of Terri's case as “disgracefully ignorant.”

THE PRO-LIFE PRESENCE

The opposition to Terri's starvation and dehydration was spearheaded by the pro-life movement, including many Catholics. Father Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life, was frequently with the Schindlers visiting Terri, and joined those keeping vigil outside Terri's hospice. He also appeared frequently on television, speaking out for Terri's right to life. Father Thomas J. Euteneuer of Human Life International also came to Florida to lend support to the Schindlers, and made several media appearances on their behalf.

As I remarked in my CWR article last November, the movement to save Terri brought Catholics and Protestants together in a remarkable display of ecumenism in its best and truest form. Indeed not only Catholics and Protestants, but large numbers of Jews and Muslims also gave witness to the dignity and sanctity of human life. There were a number of prominent Protestants who provided leadership in mobilizing support for Terri's cause, and presented the case for Terri's life to the public. Perhaps the most passionate and eloquent of these was Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family. Dr. Dobson's stature among conservative Protestants is perhaps unmatched, and he became the de facto Evangelical voice for Terri in the media.

Unfortunately, the public case for the dignity of life was weakened by the lack of a strong and uncompromised witness from the Catholic hierarchy in the US. Some individual bishops, such as Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando, and Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, spoke out admirably on behalf of Terri's right to life. Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore, chairman of the US bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, in a March 9 statement, urged that Terri should “continue to receive all treatments and care that will be of benefit to her.” He cited the words of Pope John Paul II (bio - news), reminding us that even people in a coma “retain their human dignity in all its fullness.” The cardinal added that “deliberately to remove [food and water] in order to hasten a patient's death … would be a form of euthanasia, which is gravely wrong.” In spite of that statement, though, there seemed to be little movement at the national level to make a coordinated effort, in the name of the American bishops, in Terri's case.

On the contrary, “progressive” moral theologians such as Father John Paris of Boston College and Father Kevin O'Rourke of Loyola University in Chicago made the rounds of the talk shows presenting their view that the starvation and dehydration of Terri Schiavo was consistent with Catholic teaching. Rarely mentioned was Pope John Paul II's March 2004 statement that food and water are the presumptive right of every patient and must be provided. When it was mentioned, Fathers Paris and O'Rourke dismissed the Pontiff's pronouncement as his “personal opinion,” or otherwise indicated that it could safely be ignored.

As Catholic progressives rushed to defend Terri's starvation and dehydration, and Evangelical leaders such as Dobson presented a powerful case for life from that perspective, a question arose in the minds of many Catholics: Where was the voice of the hierarchy? Where was the Catholic equivalent of a James Dobson-someone of high stature and authority who would go on the talk shows and refute the Parises and O'Rourkes? Where was a Catholic spokesman to present authentic Catholic teaching with episcopal authority to the public at large?

There was none. As the Catholic writer Amy Welborn wrote at her popular web log, “Open Book,” a “teachable moment,” a great opportunity for the American hierarchy to present the Catholic vision and teaching on human life to the nation, was lost through inaction.

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Glossary Terms: Viaticum
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THE BISHOP'S ABSENCE

Bishop Robert Lynch heads the St. Petersburg, Florida, diocese, in which Terri resided. Readers may recall that, in my November 2004 CWR article on Terri's case, I documented his inadequate, and indeed arguably counterproductive, statements during the October 2003 removal of Terri's feeding tube. He refused, in spite of numerous requests by the Schindlers in the months leading up to October 2003, to make any public gesture showing support for their efforts to save Terri's life. Neither did the Diocese of St. Petersburg sponsor any events or activities to encourage support for Terri's cause among priests or laity.

Unfortunately, in the weeks leading up to and after the removal of her feeding tube in 2005, Bishop Lynch did not seem to deviate from his pattern of non-engagement in Terri's cause. He was virtually invisible.

On February 28, the bishop issued a statement in which he acknowledged that the Schindlers felt “they are outside of the decision-making process” and that “they are in great pain and suffering mightily.” He devoted most of the statement to urging “both sides” to “allow some mediation” so that Terri's legacy was “a heroic moment of concern for the feelings of each other, guided by moral and ethical considerations, with a single focus of achieving the best result for Terri.” Nowhere in the statement did Bishop Lynch address the substantive issues or acknowledge that Terri had a right to life. He referred to normal “end-of-life” cases, where families know that “they have done all they possibly might to provide alternatives to death,” and have attempted “every possible treatment protocol which might be helpful.” But he did not seem to recognize that such had not been done regarding Terri. By his use of language about “decisions made within families,” and of “both sides” coming together, he showed that he still understood the case as a family dispute, and not as a grave injustice being perpetrated on one of his flock.

The closest thing to a collaborative effort of Catholic bishops speaking out on Terri's behalf came from the Florida Conference of Bishops. On February 28, they issued a statement titled “Continued Concerns for Terri Schiavo.” While not as strong as it might have been, the statement was unequivocal in asserting Terri's right to continue receiving food and water, saying “As long as they effectively provide nourishment and help provide comfort, we should see them [food and water] as part of what we owe to all who are helpless and in our care.” Furthermore, the bishop quoted Pope John Paul II's address to the International Congress on the Vegetative State:

I should like particularly to underline how the administration of water and food, even when provided by artificial means, always represents a natural means of preserving life, not a medical act. Its use, furthermore, should be considered, in principle, ordinary and proportionate, and as such morally obligatory, insofar as and until it is seen to have attained its proper finality, which in the present case consists in providing nourishment to the patient and alleviation of his suffering. [emphasis added]

The bishops' use of Pope John Paul's statement indicates that they understood him to be authoritatively presenting Church teaching. They understood that Terri's case was not about “end-of-life” issues or the “right-to-die,” but was about providing the most basic human care to someone in need.

The Holy See itself also spoke out on behalf of Terri's right to live. On February 24, Cardinal Renato Martino, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said on Vatican Radio, “If Mr. Schiavo succeeds legally in causing the death of his wife, this not only would be tragic in itself, but would be a grave step toward the legal approval of euthanasia in the United States.” He concluded his remarks by noting that “No one can be the arbiter of life except God himself.” Less than a week later, on March 7, Cardinal Martino issued an even stronger statement. After saying that Terri would have death “inflicted on her over a number of terrible days, even weeks,” the cardinal went on to observe that “the state of Florida has many laws on its books which protect animals,” and that such animals received a greater protection under the law than did Terri. He demanded that “It must stop here and now,” and concluded by saying that:

Society must realize that we can never inflict this sort of death on a human being, on any other creature, without each and every one of us and society as a whole suffering a terrible fate.

In what seemed to be a response to the progressive Catholic moralists who supported the removal of Terri's feeding tube, the Vatican's top bioethicist, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said on March 3 that removal of Terri's feeding tube would be “direct euthanasia,” adding that “withdrawing Schiavo's gastric tube would not be a matter of allowing her to die, but would inflict death.” The bishop explained that the academy usually does not comment on specific cases before courts, but “silence in this case could be interpreted as approval.” Going further than other churchmen had up to that point, Bishop Sgreccia denounced the rulings of the courts, saying:

As far as we are concerned, denying someone access to food and water is a cruel way of killing someone... Taking into account only medical and anthropological considerations, we feel an obligation to affirm that such a decision violates the rights of Terri Schiavo and, therefore, constitutes an abuse of judicial authority.

THE “EXIT PROTOCOL”

In spite of the lobbying of the Schindlers, the untiring work of friends and volunteers on their behalf, the protests and witness of those praying for and defending Terri's right to life, and the courageous witness of some bishops and the Holy See, the efforts to save Terri failed. While her death was reported and lamented worldwide, few suspected beforehand that the circumstances of her death would be subject to the cruelty, distortions, and media “spin” that had characterized so much of the coverage of the struggle over her life.

One of the memes continually appearing in media was that Terri was dying a “peaceful,” “quiet” death. Michael Schiavo and his attorney George Felos appeared on television numerous times and told viewers that Terri was going simply to “slip away.” Some defenders of removing her feeding tube went so far as to describe death by dehydration and starvation as “euphoric.” Such fanciful characterizations of Terri's death defied not only what many would regard as common sense, but medical evidence supplied by the very hospice in which Terri's death occurred.

Last fall Cheryl Ford, RN, a nurse from Tampa who has been very active in the efforts to save Terri's life, undertook a review on behalf of the Schindlers of medical records from when Terri was first admitted to Woodside Hospice. Woodside Hospice is run by Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. It is of interest to note that Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, was a member of the Board of Directors of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast until the Terri Schiavo case began to attract widespread public attention a few years ago.

In her research, Cheryl Ford found in Terri's file a document titled “Exit Protocol.” The document is on Hospice of the Florida Suncoast “Patient Care Notes” stationery, and “Symptom Management Orders” stationery. It is dated April 19 & 20, 2001. The documents are signed by Lisa Miller, a clinical pharmacist on the staff of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, and Dr. Victor Gambone, a physician affiliated with the hospice. The documents include the clinical pharmacist's notes of her conversation with Dr. Gambone, and the order for medications signed by Dr. Gambone. The document was produced in anticipation of the first time Terri's feeding tube was removed, in 2001. It lays out, in clinical detail, the procedures to be followed in bringing about Terri's death by starvation and dehydration. It is too lengthy to be reproduced here in its entirety. However, a verbatim transcription is available at the March 24 post of my web log, “Thrown Back” [http://ThrownBack.blogspot.com], and the scans of the documents themselves are also available there for download.

Several parts of the “Exit Protocol” are worth summarizing here. After describing how Terri's nutrition and hydration, including daily vitamins, are to be discontinued, the document has the following note:

3. Monitor symptoms of pain/discomfort. If noted, medicate with Naproxen rectal suppository 375 mg Q8* prn. [“Q8* prn” is shorthand for “every 8 hours as needed.” Naproxen is a pain-reliever, available in its over-the-counter version as Aleve.]

We were told repeatedly that dying by denial of nutrition and hydration was, as Michael said on the “Larry King Live” program, “painless and probably the most natural way to die.” But if it is painless, then why was it necessary to “monitor symptoms of pain/discomfort,” and why would medication be needed for that pain and discomfort?

Another section of the document deals with the breakdown in skin integrity that occurs in the “peaceful” death Terri endured:

4. Signs of compromised skin integrity-continue vigilant skin care, provide moistener to lips, consult wound-care specialist if needed.

As the body dehydrates, the skin loses its tone and dries out. Left untreated, this will lead to cracking and bleeding. The lips are even more sensitive in this respect. “Vigilant skin care” is the liberal use of lotions and moisteners to mask these symptoms. The lips must be continually swabbed with special moisteners, and have lip balm applied to them. In the last stages, though, in spite of such measures, skin breakdown often occurs. Because of the body's debilitated state, normal healing mechanisms do not function. Hence the need to consult wound-care specialists to deal with ulcers and open sores.

Another aspect of “slipping away” by starvation and dehydration is “terminal agitation”:

7. Multifocal myoclonus or terminal agitation (sometimes caused by electrolyte imbalance). Consider diazepam rectal administration 5-10 mg. May repeat in 4 hours if not resolved then daily-twice daily as needed.

Myoclonus is twitching or spasm of the muscles. Multifocal means “occurring in many different parts of the body.” This is usually the result of imbalance in electrolytes, the chemicals, such as salt, potassium, and calcium, which make the body's internal electrical “batteries” work. Nerve impulses and muscle contractions are governed by electro-chemical reactions utilizing these chemicals. Dehydration causes these chemicals to be out of balance, interfering with normal nerve and muscle function. This can result in nerves and muscles “firing off” uncontrollably, causing spasm. The patient will writhe and become extremely agitated. The experience is similar to muscle cramps resulting from strenuous exercise (especially when one has sweated profusely), but in this case occurring repeatedly all over the body. Diazepam (more commonly known as Valium) is a muscle relaxant.

In Dr. Gambone's medical orders, under the heading of “Pain,” the doctor orders morphine:

Morphine (MSIR) 5-10 mg IM [IM = intra-muscular; that is, injected into a large muscle such as the buttocks] or by rectal suppository.

If no relief after reaching upper range, repeat dose in 1 hour and increase subsequent doses by 50% q 3 hour prn [every 3 hours as needed].

The use of morphine for pain requires little explanation. Here morphine is specifically prescribed for the pain Terri isn't supposed to be feeling. George Felos, under questioning from the press, admitted on March 29 that Terri had in fact been given morphine. In spite of this fact, and the descriptions by the Schindlers and others of Terri's “emaciated” condition, Felos said he “saw no evidence of any bodily discomfort whatsoever.”

Terri's “peaceful,” “quiet” death required the use of pain-relieving suppositories, muscle relaxants, constant swabbing of her mouth, and injections of morphine. Most of the so-called “treatment” given under Terri's “Exit Protocol” was in fact not treatment at all. It was a regimen of medication intended to mask the symptoms of dying by starvation and dehydration, in order to perpetrate an illusion: the illusion that she was peacefully “slipping away,” when in fact she was dying in a painful and brutal way.

THE HUSBAND WHO WASN'T THERE

Terri's “quiet” death was not the only illusion created by George Felos and his accomplices in the mainstream media. Felos worked very hard to overcome Michael Schiavo's cold persona, seeking to portray him as a caring, sympathetic husband. This took some doing, as Michael's long-standing adulterous relationship with a live-in lover naturally cast doubt on his motivations and interests regarding Terri. But the illusions that were created while Terri was alive carried over into the descriptions of Terri's death.

The first indication of how Terri's death would be spun by George Felos and Michael's sympathizers appeared on March 28, 4 days before Terri died. CBS News erroneously ran an obituary of Terri on its web site. While the television network quickly realized its error and removed the obituary, it was nonetheless up long enough to be reported by talk-show host Glenn Beck and read by thousands of internet visitors. After observing that Terri died “surrounded by stuffed animals and medical equipment,” the obituary said that Michael Schiavo “was at the bedside of his wife Terri when she died.”

Pre-written obituaries are not unusual. News organizations keep obituaries of many public figures on file, for immediate release upon their death. But Terri's is unusual in two respects.

First, it is inaccurate. Among other things, Terri was not “surrounded” by very much “medical equipment” at all. After all, she was being starved and dehydrated to death. She was receiving no life-support, and in fact no care aside from the measures, enumerated above, designed to mask the true nature of her death. But even more problematic is the description of Michael being “at the bedside” of Terri as she died. How could the writer of the obituary possibly know that Michael would be at her bedside at Terri's death four days beforehand?

Careful reading of the news stories from the days leading up to Terri's death uncovers more evidence of how Terri's death story took shape. After Terri's death, many media sources reported that Michael had been staying at the hospice, either “in a spare room,” or “down the hall” from Terri during the days leading up to her death. At least one report described Michael as having stayed at the hospice for the entire 13 days between the removal of the feeding tube and Terri's death. But the earliest story I found mentioning Michael's supposed bedside vigil with Terri comes from March 26, only five days before she died. Furthermore, Schiavo attorney George Felos, when questioned by the media on March 28, “would not say” whether his client was “staying full time at Hospice.” Why would Felos refrain from saying something that would so obviously make his client appear sympathetic? The simplest explanation is that it wasn't true, and a good attorney like Felos would be very careful not to actually state an easily verified untruth on the record.

However, by the evening of March 31, the day Terri died, Felos was telling CNN that Michael Schiavo had been staying at the hospice for the previous two weeks “in a room just down the hall” from her. Again, if that was true, why wasn't Felos willing to say so 4 days earlier? It is interesting to note that in the 8 days between the removal of the feeding tube on March 18, and the first questions about Michael's presence on March 27, the press took no notice of either Michael's presence, or his arrivals or departures. Given the small army of reporters and the large crowd of vigil-keepers constantly present at the hospice, it strains credibility to suppose that Michael could have come and gone from the premises entirely unnoticed over the course of two weeks. It also strains credibility to propose that Michael could have remained sequestered at the hospice for two weeks straight: taking his meals there, being separated from his girlfriend and their children, not even going home for a change of clothing during the entire period. An Agence France-Presse story of March 27 also seemed to notice the difficulty in substantiating Michael's presence, remarking that “no one knows the exact whereabouts of the husband right now,” and that “no one knows how he gets to and from the hospice.”

The Schindlers and Father Pavone also noted that, in all of the time they spent with Terri (twice or three times daily totaling several hours a day) during those final weeks, they never once saw Michael at the hospice, nor did they see any evidence that he was there. Bobby Schindler remarked that on several occasions, he and his family were asked by the police to leave Terri's room, so that Michael could visit, but they never saw him. “We saw [George] Felos, we saw Deborah Bushnell [another Schiavo attorney], but we never saw Michael there,” Bobby said.

Most disturbing is the strong possibility that George Felos' description of the scene at Terri's death was also a product of meme-making. Recall that the erroneous CBS obituary placed Michael at Terri's bedside at the time of her death, which had not yet happened. After Terri died, George Felos stated that Michael had been present at her death, and had “cradled her head” in his arms at the moment she died. While no one but Michael Schiavo and George Felos know for sure what really transpired in that room, the Schindlers are skeptical: Bobby Schindler explained that, on the morning Terri died, he and his sister Suzanne had been with Terri most of the night. One of the three police officers stationed outside of Terri's room then came in and told Bobby and Suzanne that they would have to leave, so that Terri's “condition could be evaluated.” They knew Terri was close to death, and wanted to remain. Bobby argued with the police, but “they were told in no uncertain terms that they had to leave,” Father Pavone told CNN.

Michael Schiavo, according to the Schindlers, had ordered that the Schindlers could not be present when Terri died. Bobby told me that an interval of 5 to 10 minutes elapsed while he was arguing with the police and waiting outside Terri's room. During this period, he saw no sign of Michael, nor heard any indication that he was coming. “For all I know, Father, my sister died alone in that room,” he said. He and Suzanne were ushered away. The next thing they were told was that Terri had died. After another 15-20 minutes, they were allowed back into Terri's room. Again, there was no sign of Michael.

Father Pavone, at the press conference he and Schindler attorney David Gibbs gave after Terri's death, also remarked on Michael's absence. He related, in answer to a reporter's query, that his “first question, as I went in the room after it was first announced that Terri had died, was 'Where's Michael?'” He added, “He was nowhere to be seen.”

It would seem that the CBS obituary represented a “script” of sorts for Terri's death, and that George Felos saw to it that the script was played out. Bobby Schindler says he was “disgusted” by how Michael Schiavo and George Felos misrepresented Terri's death: “The whole thing was staged, Father,” he told me.

A LEGACY OF LIFE

While Michael Schiavo may have won the battle to end his wife's life, and George Felos may have won the test case he wanted, and had the script of Terri's death played out in the desired manner, the Schindlers are not despairing or ready to give up. They are grieving deeply, as might be expected of anyone who lost a daughter or sister. Their grief is compounded by the fact that Michael Schiavo refused to allow Terri's remains to be given a funeral Mass or Catholic burial. As of this writing, Michael has still not disclosed to the Schindlers where Terri's cremated remains will be interred, or when he intends to inter them.

But the Schindlers vow to continue their fight. At a memorial Mass held for Terri in the Southampton, Pennsylvania, parish where she grew up, Bob told me that he intends to see to it that some good is brought out of his daughter's death. He said he wants “to make sure nothing like this ever happens to anyone else again.” Bobby told me that he intends to give up his teaching career, and work full time to educate and inform the public about the truth of his sister's case and the dignity of life of those who are disabled or otherwise regarded as “unworthy of life.” He said he wants to see to it that his sister's legacy “is a legacy of life, not of death.”

At the reception following that memorial Mass for Terri, Father Pavone spoke powerfully about Terri's cause, the danger which her death poses for our society, and our duty to protect the lives of those who are weak and helpless. Terri Schiavo, though she could not speak, gave witness to the inherent and incalculable worth of every person. Father Pavone concluded his remarks by saying that Terri's death “is not the end of Terri's fight, it is the beginning of a new chapter! Death will not have the last word!”

[AUTHOR ID] Father Robert J. Johansen is a priest of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Schiavo violates another court order/Statement from Bobby Schindler

2005-06-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

Despite a court order telling Michael Schiavo that he was to make the Schindler's aware of services for their daughter, the Schindlers were not notified until 5 PM ET on June 20, 2005, long after the service and buriel of Terri had taken place.

On Tuesday June 21st, after Terri's brother Bobby received news about the inscription on Terri's marker that had stated, Terri had left the earth in February
of 1990, as opposed to her actual date of death on March 31st 2005, Bobby Schindler,
released the following statement. The marker had also read.. "I kept my promise."

Statement From Bobby Schindler 4:00 PM ET 6/21/2005
RE: Inscription on Terri's marker

This clearly illustrates the spiteful lengths in which Michael Schiavo will
go in order to purposely hurt those that loved Terri unconditionally – her
family. It seems to me that the only intention of this inscription was to
be hurtful, and had absolutely nothing to do with Terri, but only to cause
my parents additional pain over the loss of their child. Maybe even more
tragic, is that in doing so, Michael Schiavo shows nothing but a lack of
respect for Terri.

Inscription on Terri's Grave Marker

2005-06-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

RN Ford Comments: Michael Schiavo continues to add insult to injury when it comes to the pain he repeatedly dishes out to the Schindlers. As you can read from the marker he had inscribed on Terri's grave, he said that Terri departed the earth on Feb 25, 1990 and that he had kept his promise! The only promises he made to Terri, he broke by showing the world how he had violated his wedding promises to Terri by having children and carrying on in an affair for the past ten years with another woman!

"Terri Schiavo's husband buried her cremated remains in a Clearwater cemetery Monday, inscribing on her bronze grave marker that "I kept my promise." Michael Schiavo, who had said he promised his wife he would not keep her alive artificially and waged a long legal battle to remove her feeding tube, also listed Feb. 25, 1990, as the date she "Departed this Earth." That was the day she collapsed and fell into what most doctors said was an irreversible vegetative state. She actually died last March 31, nearly two weeks after her feeding tube was removed by court order. " Excerpt taken from WTVT.

Attorney: Terri Schiavo's Remains Interred in Clearwater - from TBO.com

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGBAJESA7AE.html

Attorney: Terri Schiavo's Remains Interred in Clearwater

By Mitch Stacy Associated Press Writer
Published: Jun 20, 2005

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - After earlier announcing plans to bury his wife's ashes in their native Pennsylvania, Terri Schiavo's husband instead interred her remains in Clearwater, his attorney said Monday.
Clearwater, near Tampa, is where much of a yearslong legal battle over her life and death were fought.

The severely brain damaged woman died March 31 after an internationally watched fight between her husband and parents over whether she should be kept alive with artificial feedings. The seven-year battle engulfed the courts, Congress, the White House and divided the country.

She was cremated two days after her death and her husband, Michael Schiavo, was given possession of her remains.

After being criticized by her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, for failing to tell them his plans for her remains, Michael Schiavo had her interred at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, his attorney, George Felos, said in a short news release.

Felos did not say in the statement why Michael Schiavo decided to keep his wife's remains in Florida. He did not immediately return a phone call seeking additional information.

A service at the cemetery officiated by a priest, the statement said. Michael Schiavo and at least one his brother attended.

"Mrs. Schiavo's parents, as ordered by the court, have been advised of the exact location of Mrs. Schiavo's site," Felos' statement said.

The Schindler's attorney, David Gibbs, said Felos notified his office via fax later Monday afternoon, after the service. The Schindlers had already starting getting calls from reporters about it when his office called to tell them, Gibbs said.

"We were not notified (in advance) in any respect of any service or any memorial, and clearly that's sad for the family," Gibbs said.

The interment comes less than a week after an autopsy report was released revealing that Terri Schiavo was almost certainly in a persistent vegetative state, as most doctors had determined, and that her body showed no signs of abuse by her husband, which had been alleged by her family. The cause of the 1990 collapse that left her with severe brain damage was not determined.

The report prompted Gov. Jeb Bush to ask the Pinellas County chief prosecutor to investigate what happened the night Terri Schiavo collapsed. The governor cited an alleged gap in time between when her husband found her unconscious and called 911. The husband says there was no delay in making the call.

Terri Schiavo died March 31, 13 days after the feeding tube keeping her alive was removed by a court order won by her husband.

Her husband convinced a state circuit judge that his wife - who left no written directive - had made statements that she would not want to be kept alive artificially with no hope of recovery.

Her parents doubt she had any such end-of-life wishes, however, and believed she could get better. Even after the autopsy results showed that their daughter's brain had shrunk and that all the evidence affirmed previous diagnoses of persistent vegetative state, the Schindlers said they still believe she had some consciousness and reacted to them when they came to visit at the Pinellas Park hospice where she lived.

Calls to the cell phones of her father and her brother, Bobby Schindler, were not immediately returned Monday.

Services for Terri Schiavo already had been conducted in nearby Gulfport, where her parents live, and in Pennsylvania.

Press Release Set For Terri Schiavo Autopsy Report

2005-06-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/forensics/SchiavoPressConference.doc

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Date Set For Press Conference And Release of Terri Schiavo Autopsy Report

Who:
Jon R. Thogmartin, MD (District Medical Examiner)
District Six Medical Examiner's Office
10900 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, FL 33778

What: Press conference and release of the Terri Schiavo Autopsy Report

Where: The District Six Medical Examiner’s Office located at 10900 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Florida.

When: The press conference will begin on Wednesday June 15, 2005 at 11:00 a.m.

How/Why: A press conference and release of the Terri Schiavo Autopsy Report has been scheduled for Wednesday June 15, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. The press conference will be held in the training room at the District Six Medical Examiner’s Office located at 10900 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Florida.

Parking areas will be designated on the east side of the Medical Examiner’s Office and those members of the media requiring time for equipment set-up will be allowed to enter the building at 10:00 a.m.

Those in attendance will be provided a complete copy of the report when the press conference begins. An electronic copy of the complete report will be transmitted simultaneously to those people who have previously requested this consideration. Requests for copies of autopsy reports can be made either by visiting the Medical Examiners Office web site (PREFERRED), at http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/forensics/Autopsy_Request/autopsy_request.htm, or by contacting the Medical Examiners Office Records Custodian, Debbie Lewis at (727) 582-6800.

During the press conference, District Medical Examiner Jon R. Thogmartin, MD will provide an overview of the autopsy report and his findings. Following his presentation, Doctor Thogmartin will answer questions from the media. The press conference is expected to be no more than one-hour in duration.

The Medical Examiners Office will not be making any in-person presentations or briefings on the report prior to the scheduled press conference.

Fight4Terri @aol.com

Theresa Marie Schindler
December 3, 1963 ~ March 31, 2005
Light a candle For Terri at her online Memorial Website
Memory-of.com - Memorial website in memory of Theresa Schindler (1963-2005)
http://theresa-schindler.memory-of.com/about.aspx

Visit: www.fight4terri.blogspot.com

Visit Terri's site: www.terrisfight.org

Cheryl Ford, RN (Fight4Terri@aol.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.

Fight4Terri does not wish to forward unsolicited mail.
Please type the word "unsubscribe" in subject heading if you prefer to not receive anymore updates about Terri and your screen name will be immediately deleted from Fight4Terri's address book.

First Expose and SourceBook on Terri Schindler-Schiavo Case!

2005-05-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Introducing the FIRST expose and sourcebook on the Terri Schinder-Schiavo case!

Our Fight4Terri

Order your copy at www.Fight4Terri.com

We hope that many of you will find the information in our book about Terri helpful in gaining perspective about the true facts and findings that went into our personal involvement's in helping fight for Terri.

Thousands of hours of legal and medical expertise from those directly involved here in Florida have gone into the findings you will read about in the book Our Fight4Terri.

Information and excerpts from a manuscript of Our Fight4Terri book was personally provided to television reporter Sean Hannity when he came to Florida during the last nine days in March as Terri laid dying of starvation and dehydration. Hannity used some of the research you will read in the book
Our Fight4Terri on his 9 day television broadcast to help him expose Terri's travesty.

Carla Sawyer Iyer, the nurse who personally cared for Terri reports........
"Mark Furhman just arrived in Florida last week and called me for information about Michael; it appears all the research we have done in Our Fight4Terri has finally taken on enough interest to draw even Mark Furhman's attention." Other medical experts who have contributed freely of their knowledge and expertise to Our Fight4Terri have also notified us of recent contact by Mark Furhman.

Discover the true facts behind the most significant legal battles over constitutional rights of the disabled in history. Read the actual documents in
Our Fight4Terri.

Discover the dangers all people face with Terri's death!

Trafford Publishings tentative release date the week of September 26, 2005

Protesters Demonstrate Outside Event Honoring Schiavo Judge

2005-05-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

RN Ford Comments: Greer's jokes about not letting his "friends" in who stood protest against him outside the country club gates as he digested a meal at his banquet and received an award for signing the execution via dehydration and starvation of a disabled woman, should not be taken lightly. We need to remove this judge from the bench to show America we will not tolerate the killing of disabled people in this country. To add as a reminder, over 700,000 people each year have strokes. How many may need a tube feeding in the course of their healing? Think about this before we decide to allow judges like Greer to smile and accept awards for killing people.

Click here: Protesters Demonstrate Outside Event Honoring Schiavo Judge - from TBO.com

Protesters Demonstrate Outside Event Honoring Schiavo Judge

By LISA A. DAVIS and GEOFF FOX The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 6, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Some of the same protesters who stood vigil outside a Pinellas Park hospice as Terri Schiavo slipped away moved north Thursday, trying to keep her memory - and their mission - alive.
As they displayed signs outside the security gate of Heritage Springs Golf and Country Club, they wanted Pinellas- Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer to hear them loud and clear: ``Jesus Would Feed Terri,'' one sign read.

Schiavo, 41, died March 31 - 13 days after her feeding tube was removed by a court order signed by Greer.

At a banquet Thursday night at the club in Trinity, members of the West Pasco Bar Association honored Greer's career - in part for his handling of the emotionally and politically charged Schiavo case - with the Special Justice Award.

``What Judge Greer did, and what judges in general do, is they look to the law, they look for guidance in the law, and they come up with the best answers they can within the law,'' 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge Morris Silberman said before Greer received the award.

As Greer and banquet attendees approached Heritage Springs, they passed the 15 protesters and their signs with slogans such as ``You Are Awarding A Murderer'' and ``Wanted: Honest Men for Black Robe Jobs.''

One girl held a sign that read: ``Judge Greer Should Say Sorry to God.''

Mary Kimball, of Tampa, held signs with her husband and seven of her children, ages 12 years to 18 months.

``The injustice goes on,'' Kimball said. ``They're spitting on Terri's grave. That's what this is.''

``They're putting a big toad on her grave,'' added Kimball's daughter, Rosie, 10.

Upon accepting his award, Greer received a standing ovation.

``This award I will treasure,'' he said, holding up the engraved clock. ``I will display this clock very prominently in my chambers.''

He told the crowd he was aware of the protesters outside.

``These past several years have been a bit trying,'' he said. ``You see my friends out there at the gate. I thank you for not inviting them in.''

For years, Greer presided over the right-to-life versus right-to-die battle between Schiavo's husband, Michael, and her parents. Michael Schiavo said his wife did not want to live by artificial means, and her parents said she could communicate and would not want to die.

Doctors had said Terri Schiavo had been in a persistent vegetative state since suffering brain damage after her heart stopped in 1990. Florida's governor and Legislature, then Congress, took up the battle, but appeals courts upheld Greer's decisions.

Banquet for Terri Schiavo Judge Draws Protestors

2005-05-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Banquet to Honor Terri Schiavo Judge Draws Protestors

To: National Desk

Contact: Cheryl Ford, 813-695-0870 cell, Fight4Terri@aol.com

News Advisory, May 5 /Christian Wire Service/ –-

Protest Details---

When: Thursday, May 5, at 5 PM

Where: In front of the Heritage Springs Golf and Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, New Port Richy, Florida

Why: "This protest is against Judge George Greer who wrote the order to kill Terri Schiavo without ever allowing her due process or freedom of religion. We question his choice as a Judge to blatantly ignore FS 825.102. which states that no one can take food and water away from anyone. He didn't order Terri's feeding tube just removed - he ordered that she could not receive ANY nutrition or hydration AT ALL! He ordered the commission of a felony. In addition, Judge Greer violated Florida Statute 90.602, which clearly disallows the hear say evidence that he not only accepted, but then declared as clear and convincing proof that Terri wanted to die.

"To say that his decisions weren't unlawful is a farce and a blatant insult to the citizens in the state of Florida and of Pinellas county. To waste any further words on the actions of Judge Greer, to suggest that he was thoughtful or meticulous in his decisions as a Judge as was cited by Joan Nelson Hook, President of the West Pasco Bar Association, is a slap in the face to the Schindler family and every other disabled person in America! If one can define as 'meticulous' his choice to make the most important decision of his career, ordering the execution by dehydration and starvation of a disabled person without ever having stood face to face with that person is a travesty. Ms. Nelson-Hook should be ashamed of herself as should Judge Greer." -- Cheryl Ford RN

Background:

George Greer honored for his work in euthanasia case World Net Daily, May 5, 2005

Judge To Be Honored During Law Week Events Tampa Bay Online, May 3, 2005

# # #

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Judge George Greer Honored!!!!

2005-05-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

Ford Comments: We now honor Judges for not following the law and for condemning
innocent people to death. What a country!

Schiavo Judge To Be Honored - from TBO.com

http://pasco.tbo.com/pasco/MGBHNYJW78E.html

Schiavo Judge To Be Honored

By LISA A. DAVIS ldavis@tampatrib.com
Published: May 2, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pinellas- Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer, who was thrust into the national spotlight and scrutinized by pro-life advocates during the Terri Schiavo case, was a consistent judge who followed the law, colleagues say.
His professionalism and integrity was punctuated by the way he handled the Schiavo case, said Alan Scott Miller, a New Port Richey lawyer and member of the West Pasco Bar Association.

As part of Law Week, which kicks off today, the association will award Greer, 63, its Special Justice Award.

``He's getting this award for all of his contributions on the bench, not just the Schiavo case,'' Miller said. ``It's like a lifetime achievement award for an actor.''

Greer will receive the award during a banquet Thursday at the Heritage Springs Golf and Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway.

For years, Greer presided over the politically and emotionally charged Schiavo case, which ended when the 41- year-old woman died March 31, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed a third time on a court order.

Some doctors said Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state since suffering brain damage after her heart stopped in 1990.

Her husband, Michael, fought for years to have her feeding stopped, saying his wife didn't want to be kept alive by artificial means.

Her parents, hoping she would recover, fought him in court after court.

Eventually, Florida's governor and Legislature and then Congress took up the battle.

Supporters and detractors watched as Greer made rulings backing Terri Schiavo's purported wishes and received threats on his life.

``I don't think anyone could ever say his decisions were unlawful,'' said Joan Nelson Hook, president of the West Pasco Bar Association. ``They were very thoughtful. His decisions were meticulous.

``We admired his ability to sustain the pressure not to follow the law. ... I think that shows his character.''

Steve Doran, association president-elect, echoed Hook's thoughts on Greer's handling of the Schiavo case.

``His decisions in that unfortunate case withstood the test of every appellate court in the country,'' Doran said. ``Those who are criticizing him are not seeing the big picture.''

When the association voted this month on this year's recipient of the Special Justice Award, the result was almost unanimous for Greer.

``He's a man of integrity. He's followed the flow. He's done an excellent job on the bench,'' said Miller. ``That's why he's getting this award.''

In addition to Greer's award, the Law Week celebration offers events that allow the community to get a closer look at what the West Pasco Bar Association and the law profession are about, Hook said.

``It's an opportunity to interact with all levels of the community,'' she said.

``It's not just about battles; law is a way of life.''

Here are some events:

* Representatives of the association will be at Gulf View Square mall in Port Richey offering free legal advice from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

* All week, 22 lawyers will visit Pasco schools to discuss the law and this week's national theme, ``The American Jury: We the People in Action.''

* The 2nd District Court of Appeal will hold a special session at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, in county commission chambers.

* Business suits, shoes and accessories will be collected at area law offices for Connections, a not-for-profit organization that helps people looking for jobs.

The following law offices are collecting men's and women's apparel:

The Law Offices of Attridge, Cohen & Lucas, 7136 Little Road, New Port Richey; The O'Conner Law Group, 9735 U.S. 19, Suite 2, Port Richey; Pejot Law, 11911 Pine Forest Drive, New Port Richey; and The Law Offices of Gay & Ehrhardt, 5318 Balsam St., New Port Richey.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083

Terri Schiavo's Final Hours -- An Eyewitness Account

2005-04-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.priestsforlife.org/euthanasia/terrisfinalhours.htm
By,
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life
President, National Pro-life Religious Council

You may have seen on the news that I was at Terri Schiavo's bedside during the last 14 hours of her earthly life, right up until five minutes before her death. During that time with Terri, joined by her brother and sister, I expressed your care, concern, and prayers. I told Terri over and over that she had many friends around the country, many people who were praying for her and were on her side. I had also told her the same things during my visits to her in the months before her feeding tube was removed, and am convinced she understood.

I've known Terri's family for about six years now and they put me on the visitor's list. Terri was in a hospice but there were police officers stationed outside her room. If I were not on that visitor's list I could not get in that room beyond the armed guard because the visitor's list was kept very, very small and very well controlled. The reason? The euthanasia advocates had to be able to say that Terri was an unresponsive person in some kind of vegetative state, coma or whatever terminology they want to use to suggest that she was completely unresponsive. The only way to prove she was responsive was to see her for yourself.

I went down to see her in September 2004 and again in February 2005.

When her mom first introduced her to me, she stared at me intently. She focused her eyes. She would focus her eyes on whoever was talking to her. If somebody spoke to her from the other part of the room she would turn her head and her eyes towards the person who was talking to her.

You know what some of the doctors have dared to say about this? "Oh, it's just reflex reactions. Unconscious reflex reactions." Interestingly, that's exactly the same thing they say about the unborn child when you look at the video The Silent Scream when the child opens his mouth and tries to move away from the instrument that is about to destroy him. They say, "Oh, that's just an automatic reflex." That's the phrase they always use to dehumanize the person.

I told Terri she has many people around the country and around the world who lover her and are praying for her. She looked at me attentively. I said, "Terri now we are going to pray together, I want to give you a blessing, let's say some prayers." So I laid my hand on her head. She closed her eyes. I said the prayer. She opened her eyes again at the end of the prayer. Her dad leaned over to her and said, "OK Terri now here comes the tickle," because he has a mustache. She would laugh and smile and after he kissed her I saw her return the kiss. Her mom asked her a question at a certain point and I heard her voice. She was trying to respond. She was making sounds in response to her mother's question, not just at odd times and meaningless moments. I heard her trying to say something but she was not, because of her disability, able to articulate the words. So she was responsive.

Now, the night before she died I was in the room for probably a total of 3-4 hours, and then for another hour the next morning -- her final hour.

Brothers and sisters to describe the way she looked as peaceful is a total distortion of what I saw. Here now was a person, who for thirteen days had no food or water. She was, as you would expect, very drawn in her appearance as opposed to when I had seen her before. Her eyes were open but they were going from one side to the next, constantly oscillating back and forth, back and forth. The look on her face (I was staring at her for three and a half-hours) I can only describe as a combination of fear and sadness … a combination of dreaded fear and sadness.

Her mouth was open the whole time. It looked like it was frozen open. She was panting rapidly. It wasn't peaceful in any sense of the word. She was panting as if she had just run a hundred miles. But a shallow panting. Her brother Bobby was sitting opposite me. He was on one side of the bed I was on the other facing him. Terri's head in between us and her sister Suzanne was on my left. We sat there and we had a very intense time of prayer. And we were talking to Terri, urging her to entrust herself completely to the Savior. I assured her repeatedly of the love and prayers and concern of so many people.

We held her hand and stroked her head. During those hours, one of the things I did was to chant, in Latin, some of the most ancient hymns of the Church. One of the chants I used was the "Victimae Paschali Laudis," which is the ancient proclamation of the resurrection of Christ. There, as I saw before my eyes the deadly work of the Culture of Death, I proclaimed the victory of life. "Life and death were locked in a wondrous struggle," the hymn declares. "Life's Captain died, but now lives and reigns forevermore!"

And then we had just times of silence … just sitting there in silence trying to absorb what was happening.

But besides Bobby and his sister and Terri herself, you know who else was in the room with us? A police officer. The whole time. At least one. Sometimes two. Sometimes three armed police officers in the room. You know why they were in the room? They wanted to make sure that we didn't do anything that we weren't supposed to do, like give her communion or maybe a glass of water. In fact, Bobby, sitting on the other side of the bed, would occasionally stand up to lean over his sister. When he stood up and did that, the officer would change position. He would move around towards the foot of the bed so that he could have a direct line of sight on what we were doing. The morning that she died we went in there fairly early and I had to go back outside in front of the hospice to do an interview. In order to go out on time I had a little timepiece in my hand and at the beginning of our visit I put it in my left hand, leaned over Terri and extended my right to bless her and we began praying. I closed my eyes and I felt a tap on my left hand. It was the police officer who said, "Father, what do you have in your hand?" I said, "Oh, officer, it's a little time piece." "I'll have to hold it while you're here," he said. We couldn't have anything in our hands. He didn't even know what it was. Maybe I was going to try to give her communion. Maybe I was going to try to moisten her lips. Who knows what terrible thing I was about to do?

You know what the most ironic thing was? There was a little night table in the room. I could put my hand on the table and on Terri's head all within arms reach. You know what was on that table? A vase of flowers filled with water. And I looked at the flowers. They were beautiful. There were roses their and other types of flowers and there was another one on the other side of the room at the foot of the bed. Two beautiful bouquets of flowers filled with water. Fully nourished, living, beautiful. And I said to myself, this is absurd. This is absurd. These flowers are being treated better than this woman. She has not had a drop of water for almost two weeks. Why are those flowers there? What type of hypocrisy is this? The flowers were watered. Terri wasn't. The other irony is - had I dipped my hand in that water and put it on her tongue - the officer would have led me out probably under arrest. He would have certainly led me out of the room. Something is wrong here.

As you may have also seen, those who killed Terri were quite angry that I said so. The night before she died, I said to the media that her estranged husband Michael, his attorney Mr. Felos, and Judge Greer were murderers. I also pointed out, that night and the next morning, that contrary to Felos' description, Terri's death was not at all peaceful and beautiful. It was, on the contrary, quite horrifying. In my 16 years as a priest, I never saw anything like it before.

After I said these things, Mr. Felos and others in sympathy with him began attacking me in the press and before the cameras. Some news outlets began making a story out of their attacks and said I was "fanning the flames" of enmity and hatred.

Actually, there's a simple reason why they are so angry with me. They had hoped that they could present Terri's death as a merciful and gentle act. My words took the veil of euphemism away, calling this a killing, and giving eyewitness testimony to the fact that it was anything but gentle. Mr. Felos is a euthanasia advocate, and like all such advocates, he needs to manipulate the language, to sell death in an attractive package. Here he and his friends had a great opportunity to do so. But a priest, seeing their work close-up and then telling the world about it, just didn't fit into their plans.

One of the attacks they made was that a "spiritual person" like a priest should be speaking words of compassion and understanding, instead of venom. But compassion demands truth. A priest is also a prophet, and if he cannot cry out against evil, then he cannot bring about reconciliation. If there is going to be any healing between these families or in this nation, it must start with repentance on the part of those who murdered Terri and now try to cover it up with flowery language.

Another aspect of the Terri Schiavo tragedy is that many people misunderstand its cause and therefore its solution. They think the problem was that Terri did not leave any written instructions about whether she wanted to be kept alive. In order to avoid any such problem in their own lives, they are now told that they have to draw up a "living will." This is both erroneous and dangerous.

Terri's case is not about the withdrawal of life-saving medical treatment, but rather about the killing of a healthy person whose life some regarded as worthless. Terri was not dying, was not on life support, and did not have any terminal illness. Because some thought she would not want to live with her disability, they insisted on introducing the cause of death, namely, dehydration.

So what good is a living will supposed to accomplish, aside from saying, "Please don't argue about killing me, just kill me?"

The danger in our culture is not that we will be over-treated, but rather that we will be under-treated. We already have the right to refuse medical treatment. What we run the risk of losing is the right to receive the most basic humane care — like food and water — in the event we have a disability.

Our culture also promotes the idea that as long as we say we want to die, we have the right to do so. But we have a basic obligation to preserve our own life. A person who leaves clear instructions that they don’t want to be fed is breaking the moral law by requesting suicide.

If you want to make plans for your future health care, do not do so by trying to predict the future. The reason you cannot indicate today what medical treatments you do or don't want tomorrow is that you don't know what medical condition you will have tomorrow, nor what treatments will be available to give you the help you need. Living wills try to predict the future, and people can argue over the interpretation of a piece of paper just as much as they argue about what they claim someone said in private.

The better solution is to appoint a health care proxy, who is authorized to speak for you if you are in a condition in which you cannot speak for yourself. This should be a person who knows your beliefs and values, and with whom you discuss these matters in detail. In case you cannot speak for yourself, your proxy can ask all the necessary questions of your doctors and clergy, and make an assessment when all the details of your condition and medical needs are actually known. That's much safer than predicting the future. Appointing a health care proxy in a way that safeguards your right to life is easy. In fact, the National Right to Life Committee has designed a "Will to Live," which can be found at www.nrlc.org and which I recommend highly.

I am in regular contact with Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, and her siblings, Bobby and Suzanne. They are strong Christians with a beautiful, gentle spirit. If you wish to relay a personal message to them, you can send it to terri@priestsforlife.org and I will pass it along to them myself.

Meanwhile, let us continue to commend Terri to the Lord, mindful of the equal value of every life, no matter how prominent or obscure, healthy or sick.

Priests for Life
PO Box 141172
Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. 888-PFL-3448, (718) 980-4400
Fax 718-980-6515
Email mail@priestsforlife.org

Audio From Hospice During Terri's Final Days

2005-04-24T02:02:00.000-07:00

April 24, 2005

Dear Friends of Terri,

The link below will take you to an audio that was put together by Carlos, a friend and reporter who has been covering Terri's story for quite some time. Carlos shares with us the audio he made at hospice during Terri's final days. I warn you, there are some portions of the audio that may be painful to listen to, however, I think it is important for all of us to hear.

The anguish you will hear in Mary Schindlers voice as she begged for her daughters life, I hope and pray will never have to be heard again from any Mother in this world, let alone, be heard from a Mother here in America. The only way we can prevent a murder like Terri's from happening again, will be to remember the sounds and comments we hear in the audio and use them to keep ourselves motivated to write our legislators.

We MUST hold the Leaders of our country accountable to represent and protect the people in America. Let them know we NEED laws in place NOW...NOW....NOW.... to protect all people from experiencing the HORRIBLE and INHUMANE death of starvation and dehydration that Terri endured for 14 long days.

In addition, we must work together to find ways to see that a criminal investigation is done to seek the legal justice against those responsible for Terri's tragic death. We can find forgiveness, but we must not forget how an innocent human being was murdered.

We thank you Carlos for shaing the audio with us.
Below, please find an email and link from Carlos.

Thank you,
Cheryl Ford RN
Tampa, Florida
Fight4Terri@aol.com

http://www.discipleswithmicrophones.org/

Hi, everyone,
I want to tell you about an audio story I did that reveals the scene outside the hospice where
Terri was living after her feeding tube was pulled. It starts on the day they began to starve her to death and ends with her death. It features interviews with those who support the Culture of Death and those against it and shows the day-by-day progression of events that culminates with her death.
You can access the story by going to www.discipleswithmicrophones.org and clicking on the "Podcasts for Terri" section. Then click on "Terri's Death" by Catholicradio123, which should be at the top.
Please forward this to those whom you think may be interested in listening to it or post it on your websites or blogs, if you have them. Thanks.
Yours in the Lord,
Carlos

Michael Tells Philadelphia Daily in 2002 that He is Engaged To Another Woman.

2005-04-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

RN Ford Comments: It seems to me that when Michael openly admitted in a daily Newspaper that he was engaged to another woman, attention and focus should have moved to having him immediately removed as Guardian and a divorce should have been filed in a court other than Greer's.

Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) and Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - April 18, 2002

Deceased Name: William F. Schiavo Sr.

PA United States SCHIAVO WILLIAM F. SCHIAVO, SR., April 15, 2002. For the past 10 years he was a resident of Seminole, FL, living formerly for 30 years in Junewood, Levittown. Engineer Associate at AT&T for 35 years and was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Levittown for 30 years. Beloved husband of the late Clara M. Schiavo (nee Henkell), devoted father of William F. Jr. and his wife Joan of Mayfair, Stephen G. of Fairless Hills, Brian J. and his wife Donna of FL, Scott E. and wife Karen of Levittown and Michael R. and his fiancee Jodi of FL. Loving grandfather of Margaret M., William J., Aleen C., Steven G., Kelly M., Scott R., Lisa M., Thomas M. and Ryan A.; also survived by his sister Helen Hillman and brother Richard Schiavo. Relatives and friends are invited to his service Sat. April 20, at Hope Lutheran Church in Levittown, 2600 Haines Rd., cor of Haines Rd. and Millcreek Pkwy at 9 A.M. Interment Sunset Memorial Park.

Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) and Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Date: April 18, 2002
Record Number: 298823
Copyright (c) 2002 The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Side Effects of Witnessing Murder

2005-04-21T02:52:00.000-07:00

The Side Effects of Witnessing Murder
by Cheryl Ford RN

April 21, 2005
http://www.opinioneditorials.com/freedomwriters/crn_20050421.html

Three weeks have passed since Terri Schindler-Schiavo was forced to die an inhumane and tragic death. Thousands who were against Terri's killing claim they find themselves awake at all hours of the night trying to come to terms with what happened to Terri. Many state they are suffering from overwhelming depression, frustration, and feelings of powerlessness. Others find themselves struggling to understand how America stood by and allowed Terri to be publicly murdered and not receive judicial or police protection.

Only a few short weeks ago, we witnessed thousands upon thousands of people from all over the world rise in protest to the heinous crime involving the murder of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. During the long 14 day period, as Terri laid suffering from starvation and dehydration, members of the US Congress gathered in a weekend forum to vote on a bipartisan bill that would assure Terri's constitutional rights. The bill was aimed at saving her life. The President of the United States who was preparing for Easter with his family, was urgently flown from his vacation ranch home in Texas to the White House to sign a bill that was passed in a 203 to 58 vote. So, why now are we faced with feeling the unsettling side effects of Terri's murder? Why do many seek answers to questions such as: How does a nation justify, publicly watching the death of an innocent disabled woman while no one was capable of stopping her murder?

When trying to find any sense of understanding or acceptance regarding Terri's murder, we must discuss some aspects surrounding the topics of death. Death, as we all know, is defined as: "A permanent cessation of all vital functions." Due to its permanency, we find death very disturbing under any circumstance. Death creates a destabilization of our existence, knowing there is no turning back. Normally, we experience death when it results from illness, unexpected trauma, or old-age. We are seldom, if ever, confronted with the unique emotions associated with murder happening in our family. When we hear about a murder we usually find ourselves gasping at the crime as it makes headline news. The loss of human life is final and emotionally traumatizing on any society. Any way we wish to view it, the intentional infliction of death on a human being, will always be defined as murder. Our country bases its philosophy on the value of "preservation of all life," thus, creating its laws to say, under no circumstances should anyone take the life of an innocent human being. We ask then, why was Terri allowed to be murdered as the world stood by and watched?

Once we are subjected to loss of life, we naturally emerge into what is known as the grieving process. Grief as we know it, has limitless boundaries. Often when we are forced to grieve, we flail aimlessly and timelessly into what appears to be an open abyss. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross describes in her book "Death and Dying," the 5 stages of grief as: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. In order to move through the grieving process, we must at some point encounter the 5 stages of grief. Many will vacillate between the phases of grief for an undetermined period of time.

We also know there are thousands of people who routinely struggle with the controversial issues surrounding the death penalty. It is not unusual, or unreasonable for people to find difficulty digesting the legal liberties that are given to man when they are authorized to inflict the finalities of death upon any human being. Be the death penalty right or wrong, even those who struggle with it can often find some sense of rationale and acceptance in knowing that those on death row were convicted and tried for a crime which brought forth their death sentence. However, what happens to the thousands who are reaching for that same sense of understanding and acceptance when grieving for Terri's publicly inhumane murder? Terri, was not a criminal and never hurt anyone. She was not tried or convicted of any crime. She was not terminally ill, or unhealthy. She was not taken off to the hidden ominous fields where victims are murdered by their unknown killers. Despite all, we had a nation that was forced to watched Terri's tragic and unnecessary death, making it difficult, if not impossible, to transition into the acceptance phase of grief.

We recognize that Terri was not any more special to her parents, than any other child is to their parents who love them. It is a given that she will be just as missed by her family, as others tend to miss their family members when they die. However, as we seek some rationalization, and acceptance in dealing with Terri's death, like we do in the normal grieving process of others, we find ourselves with an unsettling set of uncomfortable emotions. Could it be due to the disturbing visions of a Mother publicly pleading for the life of her daughter; a daughter who would not be dead if it weren't for an estranged spouse who intentionally starved and dehydrated her to death?

These visions leave the sane population very distraught. We find ourselves asking, how do we move into the acceptance phase of grief after watching a disabled member of our society be murdered and denied the right to receive help? We will remember Terri as the innocent woman who through her means of natural communications waited patiently each day for her loving and very dedicated family to visit her so she could smile and laugh with them. We will recall how her biological family had struggled for years to be capable of providing her with the therapy that we all naturally reach for when we are hurting, or injured. We shall remember the look of love and warmth on the faces of Terri and her Mother as they embraced each other. Was the love and unity of the Schindler family so wrong a bond that we had to remove one of its members?

For Terri, sadly, the help that we normally would have expected to come her way, never arrived. Where does this leave the thousands of civilized people who are in shock, remembering the agonizing expressions on Mary's face as she pleaded for someone, anyone, to help rescue her daughter? How do we as a nation cope with Terri's unnecessary and brutal murder; a murder that we not only heard about over and over again though out every media source, but were also forced to watch as it appeared on national television for 14 long days? How do we justify the murder of a woman who was healthy and did not have to die, yet, we did nothing to stop it? When did America begin denying a family the right to care for one of its members? Who will be next?

I personally refuse to accept the notion that we have become a barbaric society living amongst many others like George Felos, Michael Schiavo, George Greer, and Deborah Bushnell. The four people who comfortably watched Terri slowly have the life sucked out of her, and then later rationalized Terri's death as merciful. Terri's death cannot be defined as anything but cold, callous, inhumane, unnecessary, unmerciful, wrong, and against all the laws that our country was founded upon. Laws that still read, MURDER is illegal! Assuming the majority of our world still believes murder is wrong, we must ask ourselves what can we do to prevent Terri's situation from happening to another individual? How can we seek justice for Terri and see to it that the four people who are responsible for the 14 days of her inhumane killing are brought to legal justice?

We must also ask ourselves, is it reasonable to suggest that the thousands who supported Terri, who were appalled and against her death, the emotionally unstable religious zealots that George Felos suggested they were? Or, is it more reasonable to say that it was Terri's estranged spouse, his euthanasia attorneys, and the judge in Pinellas County, who are the emotionally unstable death zealots who need to be convicted for their criminal actions?

Most importantly, as a civilized society, we must question, are we prepared to challenge the inhumane laws that killed Terri? Or, are we willing to allow her death to be in vain and chalk it up to becoming the new season preview for Reality Guardianship Murders? I do believe that it is vitally important for every person who grieves Terri's tragic death to have all of these questions answered in an effort to enter into the Acceptance phase of grief.

© by C Ford 2005- All Rights Reserved

Compassionate Healthcare Network

2005-04-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Highly recomended website:

Cheryl Eckstein's, Founder President

Compassionate Healthcare Network (CHN)

Visit at www.chninternational.com

CHN is a not for profit organization, formed 1990.
CHN - 11563 Bailey Cres., Surrey, B.C.
V3V 2V4 Canada
Phone - 604 582 3844

Mrs. Felos Attempts To Capitalize on Terri

2005-04-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

R.N. Ford Comments:

How is it so that State Licensing agencies fail to make it mandatory for media personnel, attorneys, judges and lay people to not be permitted to discuss as "so-called medical authorities" the diagnosis, prognosis, or other serious related medical issues involved in patients lives? Perhaps, another one of the contributing factors that lead to Terri's death! People need to stay within the realms of their professions. In all fairness, I watched this repeatedly occur during Terri's fight even with supporters who were on Terri's side.

I can see where there is an urgent movement for Licensed Healthcare Professionals to come together and enforce new legislation into place; legislation which would prevent non licensed medical professionals from discussing patient issues as though they are licensed medical authorities.

* MD's, DO's, RN's LPN's LVN's ARNP's and PA's, if you would like to attend a discussion surrounding these concerns, please email me at Fight4Terri@aol.com for further info.

Press Release

For Immediate Release – 04-15-05 03:00 PM (GMT-5)

Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation has harsh words for the former Mrs. Felos’ attempts to capitalize on Terri

Clearwater, FL – The volunteers with the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation were astonished to learn of the behavior of former Dunedin, Florida Attorney Constance d’Angelis. d’Angelis is the former wife of George Felos, legal representative to Michael Schiavo.

In a press release issued through PR Web, titled “Lawyer Who Presented CT Scan & Medical Evidence in Court Analyzes Autopsy Results in Terri Schiavo Case” Ms. d’Angelis claims she will be available to interpret the anticipated Medical Examiner’s report on the late Terri Schiavo.

Quoted from her release: “Upon the release of the autopsy report, she can analyze the results and weigh in on the important matters of how--by reason, not emotion--the "persistent vegetative state" diagnosis of Terri Schiavo was arrived at, and why.”

The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation would like to take this opportunity to point out that not only was Ms. d’Angelis co-counsel to George Felos during the guardianship proceedings on behalf of Michael Schiavo, she is not qualified to interpret or analyze a Medical Examiner’s report. She is only licensed as an attorney and as a massage therapist.

Ms. d’Angelis is the former owner of lovinglawsuits.com and the author of “Pancha Karma -

A Life Changing Experience”. She aided George Felos in bringing forth a petition to remove ‘artificial life support’ from Terri Schiavo that originated in 1998 though current law at that time did not provide for the removal of a feeding tube under Terri’s circumstances.

Her release goes on to say: “The judge's February 2000 ruling was sustained throughout numerous appeals in both the State and Federal Courts.” However, Ms. d’Angelis fails to make clear that no Federal Court has ever reviewed either Terri’s case or the medical evidence presented to the lower court. Instead, they have declined jurisdiction.

It is, therefore, our conclusion that the Ms. d’Angelis is either attempting to capitalize on this tragic situation or preparing to support her former husband’s contentions on a subject matter she is wholly unqualified to remark on.

Terri's Memorial Online Website

2005-04-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

Light a candle and leave a message for Terri's family at her
online Memorial Website.

Memory-of.com - Memorial website in memory of Theresa Schindler (1963-2005)

http://theresa-schindler.memory-of.com/about.aspx

A Good Time??? How dare Matthews say this!

2005-04-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

Ford Comments: If you can make only one last effort on behalf of Terri with your letters, I pray you will take to your keyboards and write a letter to Chris Matthews. How dare he say such a thing about Mr. Schindler? I personally watched Bob Schindler lose weight, struggle with his own health throughout this ordeal, and just about collapse to his knees at what Schiavo and Felos did to his daughter. How dare a reporter stoop so low to say such a thing about a man who just watched his daughter inhumanely starved and dehydrated?
What is this world coming to?

http://www.lifenews.com/bio889.html
MSNBC's Chris Matthews: Terri Schiavo's Dad Having "Good Time"
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 1, 2005

New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- Chris Matthews, the host of the "Hardball" political talk show on MSNBC shocked listeners of the Don Imus radio show yesterday when he claimed Terri Schiavo's father Bob Schindler was having a "good time" as his daughter starved to death.

Just hours before Terri Schiavo succumbed to a thirteen day starvation and dehydration death, Matthews made the comments.

"There's nobody here who looks particularly compelling or attractive," Matthews told Imus on the his program.

"The father seems to be having, I hate to say this, a good time. I don't know why, maybe it's the focus, maybe he's giddy with sadness of the tragedy that has been going on for so long," Matthews said.

One pro-life leader told LifeNews.com the comments were "mean-spirited" and "insensitive" and made with "terrible timing."

However, Bob Schindler has been grieving throughout the entire process and told the media earlier in the week that he was "scared to death" to visit his daughter because he was so worried about her fate and weakening condition.

"She's shown such a determination to live. It's incredible," he said at the time.

In a press conference with reports after Terri's death, Bob told the media that Terri "spoke loudly" even thought she was unable to speak for herself.

"As a member of our family unable to stand under your own power, you stood with a grace and a dignity that made your family proud," he said. "Terri, we love you dearly, but we know that God loves you more than we do. We must accept your untimely death as God's will."

ACTION: Send your comments to Chris Matthews on his remarks at: hardball@msnbc.com

Related news stories:

Statement of the Schindler Family Following Terri Schiavo's Death

Michael Will Hide Where Terri Schiavo is Buried From Family

Michael's Attorney Backs Kicking Out Terri Schiavo's Parents

Catholic Priest: Terri Schiavo Responsive Til Death, Prayed With Family

Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo's parents - http://www.terrisfight.org

Statement From The Schindler Family

2005-04-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

Pinellas Park, FL – As you are aware, Terri is now with God and she has been released from all earthly burdens. After these recent years of neglect at the hands of those who were supposed to protect and care for her, she is finally at peace with God for eternity. We are speaking on behalf of our entire family this evening as we share some thoughts and messages to the world regarding our sister and the courageous battle that was waged to save her life from starvation and dehydration.

We have a message for the volunteers that have helped our family:
Thank you for all that you’ve done for our family. Thank you to the hundreds of doctors who volunteered to help Terri. Thank you to the fifty doctors who provided statements under oath to help Terri. Thank you to the lawyers who stood for Terri’s life in the courtrooms of our nation. From running our family’s website, to driving us around, to making meals, to serving in so many ways—thank you to all of the volunteers who have been so kind to our family through all of this.

We have a message for the supporters and people praying worldwide:
Please continue to pray that God gives grace to our family as we go through this very difficult time. We know that many of you never had the privilege to personally know our wonderful sister, Terri, but we assure you that you can be proud of this remarkable woman who has captured the attention of the world. Following the example of the Lord Jesus, our family abhors any violence or any threats of violence. Threatening words dishonor our faith, our family, and our sister, Terri. We would ask that all those who support our family be completely kind in their words and deeds toward others.

We have a message to the media:
We appreciate your taking Terri’s case to the nation. Please afford our family privacy to grieve at this time.The patience and graciousness of the on-site media here at hospice has been deeply appreciated by our family.

We have a message to the many government officials who tried to help Terri:
Thank you for all that you’ve done. Our family will be forever grateful to all of the outstanding public servants who have tried to save Terri.

We have a message to all of the religious leaders who tried to help Terri:
Thank you to all people of faith who demonstrated love for Terri and strength of conviction to defend the sacredness of all human life as a precious gift from God.

Our family is highly honored that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, would speak out so boldly on behalf of our sister, Terri.

We have a message of forgiveness:
Throughout this ordeal, we are reminded of the words of Jesus on the cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Our family seeks forgiveness for anything that we have done in standing for Terri’s life that has not demonstrated the love and compassion required of us by our faith.

We have a message to parents worldwide:
Our family would encourage parents to spend time with their children and to cherish each and every moment of each and every day with them as a precious gift from God.

We have a message to Terri from her family:
As a member of our family unable to speak for yourself, you spoke loudly. As a member of our family unable to stand under your own power, you stood with a grace and a dignity that made your family proud. Terri, we love you dearly, but we know that God loves you more than we do. We must accept your untimely death as God’s will.

Terri, your life and legacy will continue to live on, as the nation is now awakened to the plight of thousands of voiceless people with disabilities that were previously unnoticed. Your family intends to stand up for the other “Terri’s” around this nation and we will do all that we can to change the law so others won’t face the same fate that has befallen you.

We have a final thought to share:
Our family had hoped this day would never come, but as it has now arrived, we ask ourselves a question in these incredibly sad circumstances: What would the Lord Jesus ask us to do in a moment like this? In John’s Gospel, Jesus responded to the questions of the rabbis, who asked why a man had been born blind. He said: “it is so that the works of God might be made manifest through him.”

God’s plan for Terri is unfolding before our eyes. Our prayer at this time is that our Nation will remember the plight of persons with disabilities and commit within our hearts to defend their lives and their dignity for many generations to come.

Autopsy Performed on Terri Schiavo, Schinders to Help Disabled

2005-04-01T05:16:00.000-08:00

Printer friendly page
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 1, 2005

Pinellas Park, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Local officials conducted an autopsy on Terri Schiavo's body on Friday. The Pinellas County medical examiner took six hours to complete the process, which included full X-rays. Results are not expected for six weeks.

Schiavo's body has been released to her estranged husband Michael to begin the burial process. Over objections from Terri's family, Michael will cremate her body and bury her in a plot given to him by his aunt and uncle near Philadelphia.

Bob and Mary Schindler objected to the cremate and Pennsylvania burial, but Judge George Greer rejected requests to bury her body in Florida near her family.

Father Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life, a pro-life group, held a final mass for dozens of Terri supporters who remained Friday at Woodside Hospice, where she lived.

Pavone said what happened to Terri would serve as a "wake up call" for the pro-life movement to renew its efforts to protect the disabled.

"It has re-energized a lot of people," he said, according to an Orlando Sentinel newspaper report.

Paul O'Donnell, the Franciscan monk who helped advise the family during the two weeks Terri starved, said a funeral service the Schindlers and supporters are organizing would be announced soon. He told the Sentinel the Schindlers would make no public statements Friday.

Meanwhile, David Gibbs, the lead attorney for the Schindlers, said they are grieving but also feel embolden by Terri's death to work to protect other disabled people from the same fate, saying they have a "new sense of mission."

"They feel that they have now been entrusted of God with Terri's legacy," Gibbs said. "They want to make sure that she did not die in vain."

Family members plan to tour the nation as advocates for laws that "protect the innocent and the disabled from facing the fate of starvation that Terri had to undergo," Gibbs said in a Thursday interview with CNN

Zogby Poll: Americans Not in Favor of Starving Terri Schiavo Email this article

2005-04-01T05:13:00.000-08:00

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 1, 2005

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Polls leading up to the death of Terri Schiavo made it appear Americans had formed a consensus in favor of ending her life. However, a new Zogby poll with fairer questions shows the nation clearly supporting Terri and her parents and wanting to protect the lives of other disabled patients.

The Zogby poll found that, if a person becomes incapacitated and has not expressed their preference for medical treatment, as in Terri's case, 43 percent say "the law presume that the person wants to live, even if the person is receiving food and water through a tube" while just 30 percent disagree.

Another Zogby question his directly on Terri's circumstances.

"If a disabled person is not terminally ill, not in a coma, and not being kept alive on life support, and they have no written directive, should or should they not be denied food and water," the poll asked.

A whopping 79 percent said the patient should not have food and water taken away while just 9 percent said yes.

"From the very start of this debate, Americans have sat on one of two sides," Concerned Women for America's Lanier Swann said in response to the poll. One side "believes Terri's life has worth and purpose, and the side who saw Michael Schiavo's actions as merciful, and appropriate."

More than three-fourths of Americans agreed, Swann said, "because a person is disabled, that patient should never be denied food and water."

The poll also lent support to members of Congress to who passed legislation seeking to prevent Terri's starvation death and help her parents take their lawsuit to federal courts.

"When there is conflicting evidence on whether or not a patient would want to be on a feeding tube, should elected officials order that a feeding tube be removed or should they order that it remain in place," respondents were asked.

Some 18 percent said the feeding tube should be removed and 42 percent said it should remain in place.

Swann said her group would encourage Congress to adopt legislation that would federal courts to review cases when the medical treatment desire of individuals is not known and the patient's family has a dispute over the care.

"According to these poll results, many Americans do in fact agree with what we're trying to accomplish," she said.

The poll found that 49 percent of Americans believe there should be exceptions to the right of a spouse to act as a guardian for an incapacitated spouse. Only 39 percent disagreed.

When asked directly about Terri's case and told the her estranged husband Michael "has had a girlfriend for 10 years and has two children with her" 56 percent of Americans believed guardianship should have been turned over to Terri's parents while 37 percent disagreed.

March 31, 2005 --- God Takes Terri Home

2005-03-31T16:48:00.000-08:00

Today at 9:05 AM ET, after 14 days Terri lost her battle with dehydration and starvation, a terrible situation inflicted upon her by estranged spouse Michael Schiavo.

Terri brought more people together in her 41 years than most accomplish in an
entire life time.

She will be missed terribly.

March 31, 2005 --God Takes Terri Home at 9:05 AM ET

2005-03-31T16:45:00.000-08:00

Press Release

For Immediate Release – 03-31-05 12:00 PM (GMT-5)

Statement of the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation

Clearwater, FL – It is with heavy hearts that the volunteers of the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation acknowledge the passing of Terri on this day at approximately 9.00am ET.

Terri has demonstrated to us a tremendous will to live by enduring more than 13 days of deprivation.

So many people from every walk of life have expressed their love and support to Terri and her family throughout this struggle and we thank them for their kindness. Messages of condolences and prayers have begun coming in from all parts of the world and we are touched and comforted by the kind words of so many people.

It was reported to us that Terri’s family was not permitted to be at her bedside when she passed and it is our hope that they will be comforted in this very difficult hour by your kindness.

Michael's Attorney Backs Kicking Out Terri Schiavo's Parents

2005-03-31T05:11:00.000-08:00

Email this article
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 31, 2005

Pinellas Park, FL (LifeNews.com) -- In comments made to reporters outside of Terri Schiavo's hospice, the lead attorney for her estranged husband Michael defended him against his actions this morning kicking Terri's parents out of the hospice 10 minutes before she passed away.

Michael asked Terri's family to leave to avoid a "potentially explosive" situation, euthanasia advocate George Felos said.

"I can just tell you that Mr. Schiavo's overriding concern here was to provide for Terri a peaceful death with dignity, and I emphasize it because this death was not for the siblings, and not for the spouse and not for the parents," Felos claimed. "This was for Terri."

Felos told reporters that Michael's main concern was making sure Terri's final moments were not filled with a squabble between him and Terri's family.

He claimed the decision to ask the Schindler family was made because hospice staff wanted to check on Terri's condition.

"I don't think it was made out of spite or animus but out of regard to Terri," Felos said. "She had a right to spend her final moments on earth...without the possibility of altercation."

Terri's parents and family were with her 10 minutes before she died before being asked to live.

Paul O'Donnell, a Franciscan monk who has been a spokesman for the Schindlers during the last two weeks, said, "At that point, they pleaded with the police -- the police were acting under the orders of Michael Schiavo - that Michael allow them to stay in the room as Terri was about to pass away."

The Schindler family told police they would agree to be in the room with Michael there at the same time.

Police passed on the plea to Michael, who denied it and instructed police to threaten them with arrest if they did not comply with his wishes to leave.

"They not only escorted them out of the room, but also off the hospice property. Within ten minutes, it was reported that Terri passed away," O'Donnell said.

Related news stories:

CBS News Posts Prewritten Story Saying Terri Schiavo Died

Terri Schiavo's Parents' Last Motion on Terri Saying "I Want to Live"

Terri Schiavo Case Reveals How We Treated Disabled Americans

Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo's parents - http://www.terrisfight.org

Top Neurologist's Report on Terri Released

2005-03-31T04:25:00.000-08:00

Top Neurologist's Report on Terri Released
NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Here is a comprehensive report by Dr. William Hammesfahr, a world-reknowned neurologist, on Terri Schiavo's condition as of September 12, 2002:

Re: Terri Schiavo
Story Continues Below

I was asked to examine Terri Schiavo per the request of the Second District Court of Appeal. They requested that current information about her present medical condition be obtained. They also requested that an evaluation be performed to ascertain treatment options.
HPI:

Ms Schiavo was in her usual state of good health until 2/25/90, when her husband reported that he was awakened from sleep approximately 6 Am by her falling. He reports that she was unresponsive.

Paramedics were called, and aggressive resuscitation was performed with 7 defibrillations en route.

In the Emergency Room, a possible diagnosis of heart attack was briefly entertained, but then dismissed after blood chemistries and serial EKG's did not show evidence of a heart attack. Similarly, a pulmonary or lung cause of the disorder was ruled out in the Emergency Room after normal blood gases and Chest X-Rays were obtained. The possibility of toxic shock syndrome was also entertained. The diagnosis of the cause of her condition was unknown. Her admission laboratory studies showed low potassium level, markedly elevated glucose level, and a normal toxic screen without evidence of diet pills or amphetamines.

The abnormal potassium level and sugar level were found on admission to the Emergency Room and were successfully corrected by the hospital staff over the next several days. The patient had a difficult hospital course with the development of poorly controlled seizures and prolonged coma state requiring, for a time, ventilator support. However, the staff noted improvement, and it was recommended by several physicians that she be discharged to an intensive rehabilitation center.

She was eventually transferred to Mediplex in Bradenton for intensive rehabilitation. She was poorly responsive. However, after a brain stimulator was placed in 11/90, the staff started to report greater interactions of the patient with her environment, including intermittently apparently following commands, turning her head to voice, tracking visually, etc.

This pattern continued even after discharge to a nursing home, although her course from that time on included multiple medical problems including recurrent urinary tract infections and hospitalizations, at times with severely low episodes of blood pressure due to a lack of treatment of urinary tract infections ordered by the husband and subsequent urinary sepsis requiring hospitalization.

During 1998, she was evaluated by Dr. James Barnhill, neurologist, who testified that he examined her for ten minutes and determined that she had no chance for recovery, and was in a persistent vegetative state. He also identified that her skull was filled with spinal fluid; there was no brain present on the scans. All responses he identified were reported as "reflexes." He obtained no blood pressure nor did anyone else, apparently, on the day of his exam, the closest documented blood pressures being obtained two days earlier and five days later. No tests including Urinary Tract infection evaluations, blood tests, EEGs, evoked potentials, or new CT/MRI exams were ordered.

One year later he again reconfirmed his earlier diagnosis. He felt no tests of any sort were needed for evaluation. In the spring of 2000, three physicians, including Dr. Jay Carpenter, who is a former Chief of Medicine at Morton Plant Hospital, filed affidavits after observing Ms. Schiavo. All three physicians stated that it is visually apparent that Ms Schiavo is able to swallow and, in fact, does swallow her own saliva.

The patient continued with no physical therapy, communication or speech therapy, or routine medical screening evaluations and treatment such as dental care, mammography, gynecological exams or pap smears during this time.

In May 2002, access to the patient was allowed for two physicians appointed by the family. At that time, my observation of Terri Schiavo in person occurred, having previously viewed videotape that was first shown at her first trial.

The examination

Medical examination and evaluations were performed on Ms Schiavo on September 3 and 4 with videographers present. Medical reviews of the charts provided were carried out, from which the above history is obtained.

On September 3, I spent from approximately 11AM until 4PM with Ms. Schiavo, returning the next day to also observe Dr. Maxfield and complete my portion of the exam (which duplicated that of Dr. Maxfield, so I observed without myself specifically repeating that part of the exam that same day).

The exam was videotaped at my request.

The exam started with the setting up of the video camera by the videographers, with Mr. Michael Schiavo present. I then came into the room and introduced myself to Ms. Schiavo. The patient was looking at the ceiling in a chair. She had a wide-eyed look to her. She appeared to be aware of my presence with slight facial changes and tone changes in her body, She did not look at me, or turn to look in the direction of my voice, continuing instead to look directly forward. Her mother then entered the room, coming toward her and speaking her name. The daughter immediately showed awareness of the presence of her mother, looking for her, then finding her visually when the mother was approximately 8 inches from her face. She then smiled and made sounds. Her father also entered the room with further apparent recognition by the daughter.

The first part of this exam included observing her interactions with her mother and her father. Here she clearly was aware of them and attempted to interact with them: the sounds, facial expressions, and searching out and tracking them. There are several previous reports by medical personnel and others of her responding to live piano music. Accordingly, I asked the mother to bring a tape of piano music. Two separate pieces were listened to. The first she appeared aware of the sound, but would not sing or interact significantly. The second she did interact making sounds with the music. She stopped making these sounds, when the music stopped.

During this time, she would move her head and track her head and eyes to the sound of music, or her mother's voice. I started my exam first on her right side, introducing myself and then examined her contracted right arm, the goal being to get a blood pressure, as neurological abilities are very sensitive to blood pressure. She looked at me and would track me with voluntary facial and upper torso movements. I later moved to the left arm and attempted to release contractures there. In order to get significant relaxation of the arm to a degree necessary to obtain a blood pressure, I worked for approximately 35 minutes to release the contractures enough to get arm extension to approximately 140 degrees. During this time, the patient would track the mother or the father, depending on who was interacting with her. Interestingly, she appeared to respond to her mother or father by tone of voice. At one time, after working on her arm for approximately 20 minutes, and no further extension of the elbow was to be had, the father walked up and started speaking reassuringly to his daughter. The elbow immediately extended approximately another 20 degrees. This was during a time period that I had been talking with Ms. Schiavo, and the music was also running. Yet with neither the addition of the music nor my voice did the elbow extend. With the father coming to his daughter and speaking, she immediately extended the arm further. At other times, he would speak more sharply to her, and she would immediately tighten, and appear to lose her spot of visual focusing, and her expressions would change. At times during and immediately after this part of the exam, she would also appear to voluntarily move her right upper extremity.

Multiple takes of her blood pressure were taken, and there were several readings of "error." During the reading of her blood pressure, I also palpated the median artery at the wrist. In general, the systolic readings on the blood pressure cuff correlated well with the wrist palpations. Thus, the systolic readings are probably fairly accurate, although the diastolic readings cannot be independently confirmed. Three readings were successfully obtained 96/65 pulses of 70, 107/78 pulse of 72, and 101/71 pulse of 70. The pulse was erratic by both machine and palpation. The blood pressure errors occurred due to spasticity in the arm being evaluated.

A general physical exam was also performed, although pelvic, breast, rectal, fundoscopic, sinus and ear exams were not performed. Technical difficulties prevented the fundoscopic exam from being performed.

The general physical examination and the neurological examination tended to be performed in an extremity-by-extremity fashion, as her cooperation was best by focusing on specific regions, and then not coming back to those regions at a later time. Moving rapidly and from side to side tended to result in apparent confusion and stress in the patient, manifested by increased tone and less facial interactions, eye contact, and less accessibility to her limbs due to the increased tone causing contractures to redevelop.

The general facial exam was significant for acne, probably due to a chronic stress induced steroid responses. No bruits were identified. Cranial nerves were intact, and the patient was able to swallow and handle all secretions.

The neck exam was abnormal. She had severe limitation of range of motion in the flexion, and to a lesser degree in extension. Indeed, I was able to pick up her entire torso and head and neck area with pressure on the back of her neck in the suboccipital region. These findings of cervical spasm and limitation of range of motion are consistent with a neck injury. No bruits were identified.

Lung exam showed scattered wheezes in the right lung fields. No rhonchi or rales were identified. Cardiac exam was normal to my exam. Interestingly, the significant arrhythmias identified by the electronic cuff, as well as my palpation of her wrist exam was not identified during this cardiac portion of the exam, suggesting the arrhythmia is intermittent.

Abdominal exam showed good GI sounds throughout, and was non-tender. No masses or aneurysms were palpated.

Extremities exam showed severe contractures in all four extremities. On the left upper extremity, she initially showed 4/4 on the Allen's spasticity scale about the wrist, fingers, and the elbow. However, with approximately 40 minutes of massage and release, the exam in this upper extremity showed spasticity on the Allen's scale, and at times, later in the exam, would show 2/4 on the Allen's exam.

The right upper extremity also showed 4/4 on the Allen's scale, and also improved with efforts at muscular tension release. However, time did not allow me the same degree of effort on her right upper extremity, and thus I am unsure of the degree of relaxation available in this area.

In the lower extremities, she has 2/4 about the hips and the knees, meaning full range of motion, but spasticity still present. However, about the ankles, she is 4/4 and I could obtain no improvement in the range of motion.

With levels of 3/4 and 4/4 spasticity, it is frequently difficult to determine the degree of voluntary control if any a patient has over an extremity. The internal spasticity and stiffness of the limb, makes gauging voluntary efforts very difficult.

Efforts that may be easily seen or felt in a patient with no spasticity may be completely missed or only able to be identified from sophisticated testing in a patient with 3/4 or 4/4 levels of spasticity.

Spasticity generally is due to neurological injuries, and is aggravated by lack of physical therapy and muscle stretching. To understand spasticity, it is important to understand what is normal with muscle activity

In a normal person, a leg, arm, or other part of the body moves because a muscle contracts and moves a nearby bone. However, muscles exist on both the front and the back of joints. When the muscles in the front of the joint move, the bone moves forward. When the muscles on the back of the joint move, the bone moves backwards. If the bone is your arm, then when the biceps contracts, the arm bends. When the triceps contracts, the arms straightens. Another characteristic of normal is that when one set of muscles contracts, the opposite muscles relax. Thus, when the biceps contracts, the triceps relaxes and vice versa.

In spasticity, that relaxation of opposing muscles does not occur. Thus, even if the biceps tries to contract to move a muscle, the opposing contractures of the triceps, prevents motion. In severe cases, like Ms. Schiavo, the contractures of the opposing muscles may be so severe, that voluntary motion appears very weak or non-existent. In fact, in some of her muscle groups, the severity of the contractures has grown so severe, that even an outsider cannot move the joint.

The Allen's scale is a 0-4 scale with 0 as normal or no spasticity. The scale is as follows:

0 Normal, no spasticity

1 Slight spasticity, palpated by the physician, but full range of motion of a joint.

2 Moderate spasticity, but full range of motion. Here the examiner may be allowed to use a great deal of his own muscle contraction to straighten a joint. If the joint can be straightened to its full range of motion, this is a 2.

3 Severe spasticity, but some motion can be identified. Full range of motion does not exist.

4 Severe spasticity, no range of motion.

Pulses in these extremities were symmetrical. Skin was intact in these areas.

The patient wore a diaper, and this was not removed for the exam.

Back exam was carried out and there were no evident areas of tenderness, masses, or other abnormalities seen.

The first two hours of the exam, focusing on cognitive awareness of her surroundings, was carried out in a chair. The last one hour on videotape was carried out in her bed. In neither position did she have difficulty handling any saliva or secretions. Only briefly, for a few minutes at a time, did she appear to tire and lose the ability to respond, track or interact with her surroundings.

She had no tube feedings or water during the entire time of the exam.

Alertness: The patient was alert throughout essentially the entire exam.

Responsiveness:

The patient would immediately respond to sound, tone of voice and to touch and pain. With respect to responding to those around her, she had limited responsiveness to me personally until approximately 45 minutes into the exam. She started to look at me, against her traditional right gaze preference, about the same time that we started getting significant relaxation in her contracted left arm (the arm that had been contracted for several years.) She appeared to identify the sound of my voice, with the relaxation of the arm. From that point, she would generally look toward the sound of my voice when heard, attempt to find me visually, then track the sound of my voice in its movements, or track me if I was within approximately one foot of her eyes. Prior to that time, she did not track me, or try to locate me visually. When playing music, she had a clear preference to the specific sound track played, and would listen to piano music, but change levels of listening depending on the track played. Her attention to the music would not wander during the track she preferred. She would pick out her mother's voice or her father's voice separate from the music or other voices or sounds in the room, and re-fix her gaze to those people. She would tend not to blink when watching those people. She ignored her husband's loud foot-tapping that went on for approximately five minutes at one point. She also ignored his voice and did not try to seek him out visually when he would at times interject comments during the exam or immediately afterwards.

During various portions of the exam, she would be moved or have her position readjusted. She continued to handle her saliva during this time, never being observed to choke on her saliva.

Following Commands: At various times during the exam, I asked her to close her eyes, or open her eyes widely, look towards her mother, or look towards me. At times, she appeared to properly follow these commands. Interestingly, some of the commands, such as close your eyes, open your eyes, etc. she tended to do several minutes after I gave her the command to do so. She had a delay in her processing of the action. However, when praised for the action, she would then continue to do the action repetitively for up to approximately 5 minutes. As we had moved on to other areas of the exam, at times she was continuing to do the previous command, then at inappropriate times since the focus of the exam had changed. During different portions of the exam, I would ask her to squeeze my hand on command, or, in the lower extremities, to pick up her right lower leg to command.

The upper extremities are contracted and weak. She appeared to squeeze my hand, and then relax her grip, in the upper right extremity, possibly in the upper left extremity. I am unsure if she was doing it to verbal command, or in response to body language; however, it was voluntary activity and not reflex. In the lower extremities, she showed these same abilities, marked on the right and to a lesser degree on the left (voluntary control over the ankles could not be determined due to the severity of the contractures there). However, in the right lower extremity, I again gave verbal commands, but also noted that she would oppose activity voluntarily. Thus, moving a hand against a thigh would elicit an equal and opposite reaction from her. She would gauge the degree of pressure, and counteract it equally. This is not a reflexive movement. With respect to her lower leg, we were able to clearly show that on videotape. I had her push her lower leg against my hand; my hand was on the top of her leg. Removing my hand suddenly, allowed her leg to suddenly continue voluntarily rising up and be seen on videotape. We had her do this repetitively on videotape.

Her right lower leg is quite strong. Other areas are either not as strong, or have such high spasticity brought on by neglect that voluntary activities are able to be felt, but difficult to show large degree of motion that are represented on videotape so well. The voluntary control is there, but does not show up well on videotape, as the range that the motion goes through is less.

Cranial Nerve Exam: Cranial nerve function is present and appears normal in all groups tested. The fundoscopic exam and ophthalmic nerve function could not be tested directly. She tracks well and voluntarily. She does not exhibit "Doll's Eye" motion, an abnormality seen in coma patients whose eyes move back and forth like a doll's when their head is moved.

Coma patients cannot direct their gaze to specific things and maintain their gaze on those things regardless of head motion or motion of the object.

She can do these things. She appears to see things best at approximately the.8-12 inch area. She was best able to track large reflective objects like aluminum balloons or sparkling lights (for which a focal length limitation is not an issue.)

This is a patient who has very poor language abilities. Her interactions with the world, as well as her ability to convey thought will depend in large part on her visual abilities and limitations. Thus a complete opthamological exam and evoked potential exam needs to be performed. This needs to be performed in comfortable situation and the patient needs to be comfortable with the examiner and the examinations. I would estimate that at least one day should be allotted for the exam and should be carried out her in room.

Sensory Exam: The patient was tested to light touch, pressure, and sharp touch and pain in all four extremities and on her face. The pain portion in the extremities was conducted by pinching the nail beds of her hands and feet. She clearly feels pain as the videotapes show.

On the face, noxious stimulation including cotton swab up the nose and gag sensation and papillary touch with cotton evidenced a pain response. These were more than just reflexes, as she appeared to be annoyed by these painful responses long after they had stopped, and would not smile at me again for the rest of the day.

She certainly feels pressure, as was discussed earlier, and opposes pressure with voluntary motor activity. When using a sharp piece of wood, which she found uncomfortable, and going over her entire body (except diapered areas and breast areas), we found that sensation is present everywhere. Sensation on the right side as evidenced by moaning or tightening up muscles or withdrawal and was more prevalent than on the left.

We found that she had two sensory levels. The first is the side-to-side asymmetry, where she feels more on the right than the left. The second is a major increase in pain approximately C4 and cephalic to the head. This is consistent with a spinal injury and spinal cord injury near this level.

Motor Exam: As discussed earlier, it is difficult to measure motor strength on the classical scales. The classical motor strength scale is a 0-5 scale and is described as patient's voluntary motor strength score /normal which is represented as a 5. Thus a person with no voluntary motion would be 0/5 and a person with normal voluntary motion is a 5/5. Normal motor strength requires relaxation of the muscles around the muscle being tested. Thus, if grip squeeze is being tested, the muscles that straighten the fingers must relax in order to have a good squeeze. Ifthose muscles don't relax, they tend to keep the fingers straight, and thus give a weaker squeeze than if they did relax. When the muscles near the area being tested don't relax, that is called spasticity, and makes the exam less accurate. At times the spasticity is so severe that a muscle tested may not be strong enough to overcome the opposing muscles, and no evidence of voluntary muscle movement is seen even though there is in fact voluntary control over those muscles.

This is the problem that we have with Ms. Schiavo. She clearly has voluntary control that is good control over her facial musculature. Formal testing of those cranial nerves showed no weakness or facial asymmetry.

In the upper and lower arms, however, the spasticity is severe. She at times would voluntarily move her right arm/ hand complex against gravity, which is considered a strength of 3/5 or greater by convention. When squeezing my hand and relaxing on the right side, she had approximately a 2-3 (-)/5 but range of

activity was severely limited by spasticity. On the left side, it appeared weaker. In the upper extremities, she would oppose pressure on her, or try to move her arms with approximately 3/5, but not to command (probably due to the aphasia). The right side was stronger than the left.

The leg motion on the right was generally approximately 2-3/5 in all groups except around the ankle. However, when opposing my hand in the lower leg, she was 3+ -4-/5 and the voluntary action caught on videotape was clearly a strong 3/5 or better. On the left side the strength appeared to be more of a 2/5 range in all groups, but due to the difficulty of the exam, may actually have been stronger than this.

The convention of the 0-5 scales for testing voluntary motor strength is as follows:

0 No voluntary movement

1 Trace movement able to be felt

2 Movement of an extremity if gravity is removed. Thus if movement of a leg occurs in a bed while a patient is lying down, but he cannot move that same area up off of the bed, this is considered 2/5.

3 Movement against gravity

4 Movements against examiner's actively resisting the patient's muscular activity

5 Normal

The scale has some additional aspects, in that a - or + sign may further allow an examiner to delineate a specific number into sub-gradations. Reflexes: Were 2+ throughout on the left side, and slightly brisker on the right side.

The reflexes to my exam were slightly brisker in the upper extremities than in the lower extremities. These reflex findings may be related in part to differing level of tone due to spasticity. No clonus was identified. The reflexes at the pectoralis muscles were 2++ and symmetrical. Reflexes at the ankles could not be obtained due to the severe contractures. Babinski exam did not show abnormal reflexes, probably due to the severity of the contractures in the feet. Both glabellar and palmomental reflexes were mildly abnormal.

Impression:

The patient is not in coma.

She is alert and responsive to her environment. She responds to specific people best.

She tries to please others by doing activities for which she gets verbal praise.

She responds negatively to poor tone of voice.

She responds to music.

She differentiates sounds from voices.

She differentiates specific people's voices from others.

She differentiates music from stray sound.

She attempts to verbalize.

She has voluntary control over multiple extremities

She can swallow.

She is partially blind

She is probably aphasic and has a degree of receptive aphasia.

She can feel pain.

On this last point, it is interesting to observe that the records from Hospice show frequent medication administered for pain by staff.

With respect to specifics and specific recommendations in order to carry out the instructions of the Second District Court of Appeal:

From a neurological standpoint: The patient appears to be partially blind.

She needs a full opthamological evaluation and visual evoked potentials done to flash and checkerboard patters. The opthamological examination is to evaluate her retina and her ophthalmic nerve to try to determine the cause of her visual limitations and if any treatment exists. The evoked potentials looks at the nerve between the eye and the visual centers in the brain, to see if there is treatable damage and the type of damage, if any in these areas. This is important, as for individuals to interact with her, and possibly teach her better ways of communicating with others, they must know what sort of limitations she has. This even extends to whether she can see people or objects in specific areas of her vision, and what size objects need to be to be accurately seen. Additionally, if one were to properly examine her, it would help if one knew the full extent of these test results.

Communication: She can communicate. She needs a Speech Therapist, Speech Pathologist, and a communications expert to evaluate how to best communicate with her and to allow her to communicate and for others to communicate with her. Also, a treatment plan for how to develop better communication needs to be done.

Rehabilitation Medicine: The patient has severe contractures. She needs a specialist to evaluate these and develop a treatment plan.

Endocrine: The patient has clinical evidence of an abnormally functioning endocrine system. Her blood pressure is abnormally low. Many patients with severe neurological injury have low blood pressure due to an abnormally functioning endocrine system. The reason for this should be determined and corrected, as with a more normal blood pressure, she is likely to have even better neurological functioning. She has facial acne consistent with hormonal abnormalities.

ENT: The patient can clearly swallow, and is able to swallow approximately 2 liters of water per day (the daily amount of saliva generated). Water is one of the most difficult things for people to swallow. It is unlikely that she currently needs the feeding tube. She should be evaluated by an Ear Nose and Throat specialist, and have a new swallowing exam.

Mammography needs to be performed.

Spinal Exam: The patient's exam from a spinal perspective is abnormal. The degree of limitation of range of motion, and of spasms in her neck, is consistent with a neck injury. The abnormal sensory exam, that shows evidence of her hypoxic encephalopathic strokes (right side sensory responses are different from left) also suggests a spinal cord injury at around the level of C4. Her physical exam and videotapes also suggest a spinal cord injury is also present, as she has much better control over he face, head, and neck, than over her arms and legs. This reminds one of a person with a spinal cord injury who has good facial control, but poor use of arms and legs. It is possible that a correctable spinal abnormality such as a herniated disk may be found that could be treated and result in better neurological functioning. This should be looked for, as may be treatable. Thus, there may be an injured disk or spinal cord; the disk injury is more treatable, the spinal cord injury, if present without a disk injury, may be more difficult to treat. A person with a spinal cord injury and hypoxic encephalopathy will need different treatment and rehab recommendations than one who just has a hypoxic encephalopathic.

Interestingly, I have seen this pattern of mixed brain (cerebral) and spinal cord findings in a patient once before, a patient who was asphyxiated.

A urological consultation should be obtained: I disagree with Dr. Gambone's view that the patient's bacteria in the urine may be ignored. In my experience, colonization of the bladder can very distinctly affect the patient's neurological status and affect their rehabilitation. The patient needs a urological consultation both to examine the bladder issue, resolve if there are possibly colonized and kidney stones (that may be the source of recurring bladder infections). Also, one significant mechanism of diagnosing and finding and diagnosing spinal cord injuries is through sophisticated bladder EMG and other testing. This should be done.

The neurosurgeon who placed the implant should be contacted for recommendations. A neurological examination can only be carried out in the context of a complete understanding of the patient's physiology, including current blood tests. Thus the tests that Dr. Gambone did months ago, before we had access to the patient, should immediately be repeated.

EEG: I have reviewed the EEG recently obtained. The EEG has large amounts of artifact. The technician's attempted to remove artifact by filtering. Unfortunately, filtering also affects and reduces evident brain electronic activity. This EEG is not adequate and should be repeated. It should be repeated at the patient's bedside, with the patient in a non-agitated state.

SPECT scan: A SPECT scan prior to and after several days of Hyperbaric Trial should be obtained. Such a Hyperbaric Oxygen trial does not constitute treatment, as the length of time of such hyperbaric is inadequate to render any treatment. However, it is a useful technique to assess the likelihood of improvement using hyperbaric oxygen. I would defer to Dr. Maxfield on the specifics of testing, but believe that it is generally accepted by those in the field who have experience with hyperbaric treatment, that Dr. Maxfield's recommendations in this area are accurate.

William M. Hammesfahr, M.D.

Dear Friends of Terri,

2005-03-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

MARCH 29, 2005
DAY 12

Dear Friends of Terri,

There aren't many words I can say at this moment with regard to what is happening to Terri, other than she is now on day 12 without food and water, and is slowly dying as the life is literally being sucked out of her. While Michael Schiavo fills his face with food and water, and Laura Bush flies to have lunch with the Afghanistan women, ....Terri lays weak, looking toward her parents and siblings for relief of the pains associated with hunger and dehydration. She is still fighting for her life.

How interesting! Michael stated Terri did not wish to live, yet she continues to fight back and has more of a will to live without food and water, than many of us who are nourished and hydrated.

I remain appalled at the media for reporting there are more people in this country who are willing to say, our President is better off to fight for the lives in foreign lands than to involve himself in saving a life here in America! This I find, is yet, another insult to the American people and to the many millions of veterans who lost their lives fighting for freedom and preservation of human life.

For the past two years, I have been involved day and night helping the Schindlers fight for their daughters life. I have come to know and love them like my own family. They are a family who possess a bond of love, unity, devotion, caring, values, morals, and religious beliefs that we all struggle to maintain in our modern day world. I continue to sit and wonder; how does the ideal family end up in such a situation as this? They have struggled for 14 years to obtain help saving their daughters life. Sadly, in spite of their daughter being locked away as a hostage in one room for five years, they were not able to gain national attention from the news media until it came time for their daughter to be starved and dehydrated. Does this say something about our news media or what is happening to America? What is wrong with this entire picture? What does it mean when we as a society close our eyes to the important news topics, which assure us of our own survival and existence?

Michael Schiavo is not only torturing this loving family by forcing them to watch their daughter in this situation (knowing they can turn her around by providing her with nutrition and fluids,) he is now blasting all over the news the word "autopsy"; a word which associates itself with images of their daughter they should not be forced to digest before necessary. How callous and cruel! Schiavo does not even have the compassion in his heart to wait until she is dead before discussing such a topic. A topic he clearly is addressing at this time, only to vindicate himself of any wrong doings! Another clear demonstration regarding how all of this has nothing to do with Terri, but how it's all about Michael, and what Michael wants and needs!

Does Schiavo think he can insult those of us who are aware of the fact he will most likely pay the Pinellas County Medical Examiner to do Terri's autopsy? How convenient of him to announce that he is doing this to prove to the people that she has no brain function.
It appears Terri's supporters will now be forced to prove some more documentation and corruption involving her autopsy.

I am not certain which avenues we as Terri's supporters need to take in order to force the courts to have an unbiased autopsy performed from someone not associated with this case, and who isn't from the corrupt state of Florida. I do know, that if we are forced to deal with this topic before it is absolutely necessary, than we must act now and help to ensure that the Schindlers are permitted to hire their own Medical Examiner, or, have an examiner of their choice in the room as well.

In addition, be advised, Michael is insisting Terri be cremated and not buried. To add even more insult to injury, he will send her ashes out of Florida to be taken miles away from her loving family. This will prevent them from being able to visit her and grieve at her gravesite. A healing process surely Terri's family will need.

Michael resides in Florida. How many loving husbands do you know, starve their wives to death and then have their ashes shipped miles away so their family cannot pay respects to their gravesite? I guess he would answer by saying, these were Terri's wishes as well.

I have nothing more to say at this time.

Cheryl Ford RN
Fight4Terri@aol.com

2005-03-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

March 24, 2005
Cybercast News Service

(CNSNews.com) - A nurse, who worked until Monday at the hospice where Terri Schiavo is dying of dehydration and starvation under court order, claims Terri feels pain and the nursing staff medicates her for that pain. Nora Wagner also claims she was fired Monday after expressing support for keeping Terri alive.

Wagner has been a nurse for 30 years and spent the last two years as a contract employee of an agency that provides nurses to the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Fla., where Terri has been kept since April of 2000. She told a Florida television station that Terri's feeding tube should not have been removed.

"She's not physically ill, other than being brain damaged," Wagner told WPTF reporter Sarina Fazan.

Death doesn't become her

2005-03-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.torontofreepress.com/2005/edesk032705.htm

It was supposed to be his finest hour. Just hours before Judge George Greer had turned down the 11th hour pleas of the Schindler family and now Schindler lawyers were admitting that they had run out of court appeals.

The sweet smell of victory overpowered the odour of Easter lilies. It was George Felos The Conqueror’s made-for-television shining moment. In terms of media attention, surpassing even O.J.’s Dream Team.

With cameras recording, George Felos took careful steady aim-- and shot himself in both left feet.

Academe teaches graduates to be gracious in victory, that it is not nice to gloat and to never kick the underdog when it’s down.

Lessons all lost on Mrs. Felos’ little boy George, who took the low road.

Within the first minutes of his self-aggrandizing media conference, he came on like the power drunk tinpot dictator, proclaiming that Terri, a Catholic, wouldn’t be having her Easter Eve Holy Communion.

Why this televised deathbed denial?

As far as Felos was concerned, she already had it on March 18. Terri was given Communion through her feeding tube before it was detached.

The dying woman, however will be "allowed" to receive the Sacrament one more time. At the time of death, Catholics are administered Extreme Unction. But in Terri’s case not by the Catholic priest who ministered to her for more than four years, but by the chaplain at the hospice that will be her death house.

That’s the decree of Dying with Dignity-crusader George Felos.

By the way, we’re perhaps overreacting, because Felos said death for Terri is not imminent. According to the voluble Felos, Terri could be around longer than we think.

How any self-respecting attorney could stand on national television and expect folk to believe someone starved of food and water could last much longer is breathtaking in its sheer audacity.

Interesting how Felos could possibly know how long Terri would endure.

Surely, it has nothing to do with his having served on the board of directors of the hospice where Terri is wasting away?

Sounding like the title of the movie, Death Becomes Her, Michael Schiavo’s favourite lawyer also pooh-poohed all this talk about Terri looking gruesome.

There is no bleeding nose, sunken eyes or flaking skin. People under the control of the Dying with Dignity gang always look good.

In fact, Felos told reporters he’d "never seen such a look of peace and beauty upon her".

Coolly, he spoke of cremation. His client Michael Schiavo is insisting that immediately upon her death, Terri will be cremated.

Felos had the colossal nerve to advise the great unwashed to reflect upon how life on earth does not last.

This peon of the politically correct, whose conversation is laced with words like "inappropriate" and who would lecture all about "dying with dignity", has already snatched the laurel wreath.

It wasn’t the actual act of denying Terri Schiavo Holy Communion, but his apparent gesture of dismissing the Sacrament as something not sacrosanct that insulted Catholics at their holiest time of the year.

Like so many crusaders of the politically correct, the boorish George Felos is a hypocrite.

Having seized the moral high ground to lecture the rest of us, and seeming to have won the day for the Death Culture, Felos won’t be stepping down from the podium Michael Schiavo raised for him anytime soon.

Canada Free Press founding editor Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 25 years experience in the print media. A former Toronto Sun columnist, she also worked for the Kingston Whig Standard and the former Brampton Daily Times.

What Happened To "The Best of America?" by Cheryl Ford RN

2005-03-27T21:14:00.000-08:00

March 27, 2005

The realities of Terri lying in a bed as a victim being murdered on this 10th day of no food and water is incredibly difficult for many civilized people to digest. The leaders of our country have deserted not only Terri, but all of us. My emotions vacillate; I am numb, angry, appalled, and very saddened by what is happening to Terri. I still cannot believe this is happening to her, here in America. Furthermore, I cannot understand how our government and court system has endorsed the act of killing a person, who last week was not dying.

Please! I ask that with all due respect to those who are terminally ill and who are wrongly euthanized each year, I implore the people of this nation not to sweep Terri's situation into the definitions of euthanasia. Euthanasia is indeed wrong, and is happening to many who are terminally ill. However, that is NOT what is happening to Terri. Terri is being MURDERED! To allow Terri to die with the notion she was euthanized because of a terminal illness would be another miscarriage of justice to her and to us as a society. We must acknowledge what is actually happening to Terri in order to stop this from ever happening again. Terri is being murdered by an estranged spouse who lied to the courts with his hearsay evidence that Terri did not wish to live as a disabled person.

I cannot tolerate hearing the media repeatedly rationalize murdering a healthy human being with a disability, and then classify her KILLER as a caring husband! Let us not forget, aside from her brain injury, Terri is a healthy human being who could have easily lived another 30 plus years without any problems. She has a healthy heart, healthy liver, healthy lungs, healthy kidneys and could swallow her own saliva. She breaths on her own and is not on life support. She communicates with her family and has a loving spirit. I am outraged at the media for their ignorance and promotion of her MURDER! There are over 220 documented entries in Terri's medical records by physicians and therapists stating Terri could have been rehabilitated.

Murder is wrong! Once upon a time, murder was against the laws of our land and our judicial system. It is no longer. For this reason, I grieve for not only Terri, but for our entire country right now. For America to endorse murder, will only bring forth the same problems here on American soil, that we are spending billions of our tax dollars trying to stop over in Iraq.

I am outraged by our Government and courts who have supported the inhumane killing of an innocent girl on American soil. You should be as well! How dare they allow a healthy disabled citizen of the United States of America to spend 10 long days without food and water and then deny the Department of Children and Family Services the right to go in and save her after they exposed her abuse and neglect? How dare our Government and courts allow a small time Florida judge, a death attorney and an evil estranged spouse the right to get away with the most heinous crime known to man......the torture and murder of an innocent human being by starvation and dehydration!

People can deny the facts of Terri's murder all they want, however, what we have done by allowing Terri to be starved and dehydrated, is to turn on gas in the death chambers for disabled people all over America. We have set the foundation for the construction of many new chambers soon to come. Many will now follow in Terri's wake.

I feel for my colleagues; the dedicated nurses who have compassion and respect for the preservation of life, who still have to work in hospitals and nursing homes to make a living. If society thinks the world of medicine is suffering from a nursing shortage now, wait until they see what will happen to the profession when nurses are forced to carry through with physicians orders which read, discontinue the feeding tube on those patients who are disabled and smiling at them.

Sadly, on the clock of the Bush Administration, our President will be known for initializing future forums for legalized murder of the disabled. Thousands who have supported President Bush in his election, and hundreds from the Pro Life organizations, have written to me in disbelief of his actions. I suppose we all had expected him to take the same stand he did when he stood on the pile of rubble at ground zero. The speech our President made on the evening of September 11, 2001, "Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America." I must ask our President, is the cruel and inhumane starvation and dehydration of one innocent disabled girl on American soil, allowed by our judicial system, not as evil? Yes, President Bush, I ask...."What happened to the best of America?"

As for our dear Terri, while Michael Schiavo succeeds in MURDERING her, I know her legacy will live on. She will go down in history as the first disabled person, who was led as a martyr through the American doors of legalized murder.

In conclusion, the involvement of the US Congress and their inability to intercede
in a case involving blatant judicial homicide has helped to remind me of a time in our history when disabled people were once marched to their death. I can now see how critical
it is for me to go on fighting for Terri in the quest to STOP the legalized murder of our innocent disabled citizens.

May God Bless You Theresa Marie Schindler. Though we never met, you will always remain a part of my life.

Police 'showdown' averted

2005-03-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

Comments From Ford:
I spoke to Mary Schindler last night. She is being forced to watch her daughter die. This mother will have in her memories, a daughter who was not taken from this earth by natural causes, instead was taken from this earth as a result of murder. How can our government not step in and stop judicial homicide?

Michael Schiavo won't allow Terri's cousins or extended family who have flown into the area in to visit Terri. He continues control over the visitor list. The family is understandably very upset. Michael has the Schindlers' leave their daughters bedside every time he arrives because he refuses to be in the room with them. Then, he takes his time in the room with Terri, so they have less time with her. They were not able to visit with Terri for 12 hours on Thursday. Will someone explain to me why is it that Jack Kvorkian is in prison, and Michael Schiavo walks away a free man?

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/11233240.htm

Posted on Sat, Mar. 26, 2005

Police 'showdown' averted

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
cmarbin@herald.com

Hours after a judge ordered that Terri Schiavo was not to be removed from her hospice, a team of state agents were en route to seize her and have her feeding tube reinserted -- but they stopped short when local police told them they would enforce the judge's order, The Herald has learned.

Agents of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement told police in Pinellas Park, the small town where Schiavo lies at Hospice Woodside, on Thursday that they were on the way to take her to a hospital to resume her feeding.

For a brief period, local police, who have officers at the hospice to keep protesters out, prepared for what sources called ``a showdown.''

In the end, the squad from the FDLE and the Department of Children & Families backed down, apparently concerned about confronting local police outside the hospice.

''We told them that unless they had the judge with them when they came, they were not going to get in,'' said a source with the local police.

''The FDLE called to say they were en route to the scene,'' said an official with the city police who requested anonymity. ``When the sheriff's department and our department told them they could not enforce their order, they backed off.''

The incident,known only to a few and related to The Herald by three different sources involved in Thursday's events, underscores the intense emotion and murky legal terrain that the Schiavo case has created. It also shows that agencies answering directly to Gov. Jeb Bush had planned to use a wrinkle in Florida law that would have allowed them to legally get around the judge's order. The exception in the law allows public agencies to freeze a judge's order whenever an agency appeals it.

CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

Participants in the high-stakes test of wills, who spoke with The Herald on the condition of anonymity, said they believed the standoff could ultimately have led to a constitutional crisis and a confrontation between dueling lawmen.

''There were two sets of law enforcement officers facing off, waiting for the other to blink,'' said one official with knowledge of Thursday morning's activities.

In jest, one official said local police discussed ``whether we had enough officers to hold off the National Guard.''

''It was kind of a showdown on the part of the locals and the state police,'' the official said. ``It it was not too long after that Jeb Bush was on TV saying that, evidently, he doesn't have as much authority as people think.''

State officials on Friday vigorously denied the notion that any ''showdown'' occurred.

''DCF directed no such action,'' said agency spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez.

Said Bush spokesman Jacob DiPietre: ``There was no showdown. We were ready to go. We didn't want to break the law. There was a process in place and we were following the process. The judge had an order and we were following the order.''

Tim Caddell, a spokesman for the city of Pinellas Park, declined to discuss Thursday's events.

SHELTER FOR SCHIAVO

The developments that set Thursday morning's events in motion began the previous afternoon, when the governor and DCF chief Lucy Hadi held an impromptu news conference to announce they were considering sheltering Schiavo under the state's adult protection law. DCF has been besieged, officials say, by thousands of calls alleging Schiavo is the victim of abuse or neglect.

Alerted by the Bush administration that Schiavo might be on her way to their facility, officials at Morton Plant Hospital went to court themselves Wednesday, asking Circuit Judge George Greer, who ordered the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube last week, what to do.

''It's an extraordinary situation,'' said Beth Hardy, a hospital spokeswoman. ``I don't think any of us has seen anything like it. Ever.''

Greer signed an order Wednesday afternoon forbidding DCF from ''taking possession of Theresa Marie Schiavo or removing her'' from the hospice. He directed ''each and every and singular sheriff of the state of Florida'' to enforce his order.

But Thursday, at 8:15 a.m., DCF lawyers appealed Greer's order to judges at the Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland.

That created the window of time to seize Schiavo. When DCF filed its appeal, it effectively froze the judge's Wednesday order. It took nearly three hours before the judge found out and canceled the automatic stay, shortly before 11 a.m.

Administrators of the 72-bed hospice, who have endured a withering siege of their facility by protesters since Greer ordered Schiavo's feeding tube removed on March 18, declined to discuss Thursday morning's events in any detail.

''I don't really know, or pretend to know, the specifics of what is going on behind the scenes,'' said Mike Bell, a spokesman for Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, which operates Woodside.

DCF INTENTIONS

According to sources, DCF intended to take Schiavo to Morton Plant Hospital, where her feeding tube had been reinserted in 2003 following a previous judicial order allowing its removal. But hospice officials were aware that the hospital was not likely to perform surgery to reinsert the tube without an order from Greer.

''People knew that taking [Schiavo] did not equate with immediate reinsertion of the feeding tube,'' a source said. ``Hospital officials were working with their legal counsel and their advisors, trying to figure out which order superseded which, and what action they should take.''

Hardy, the hospital spokeswoman, said she does not believe the hospital was made aware Thursday morning that DCF and state police planned to bring Schiavo in. ''We were not aware of that three-hour period,'' she said. ``It's not a discussion we even had, really.''

George Felos, Michael Schiavo's attorney, said he does not think DCF officials knew of the window of opportunity they had created until well after they filed their appeal.

''Frankly, I don't believe when they filed their notice of appeal they realized that that gave them an automatic stay,'' Felos said. ``When we filed our motion to vacate the automatic stay . . . they realized they had a short window of opportunity and they wanted to extend that as long as they could.

``I believe that as soon as DCF knew they had an opportunity, they were mobilizing to take advantage of it, without a doubt.''

Press Release Written By: Cheryl Ford RN

2005-03-25T14:51:00.000-08:00

Press Release written by:
Cheryl Ford RN, nurse activist and spokesperson
Fight4Terri@aol.com
March 25, 2005
1:00 PM ET

Despite the hundreds of pieces of evidence from nurses, physicians, speech pathologists, physical therapists, attorneys, the DCF, along with more recent statements made by:

Expert/specialist Dr. George Eddington McClane, M.D. Director
Forensic Medical Unit Department of the Family Justice Center City of San Diego, stating in writing.. " Terri Schiavo's condition is consistent with attempted strangulation. Her healthy heart functioning for the last 14 years is not consistent with a "heart attack from an eating disorder" having ever occurred. Disallowing replacement of the feeding tube in this woman is homicide. Critical facts in plain view must have time to be reviewed. This can be accomplished in 7 days. "
Evidence showing how Terri was fraudulently admitted into a hospice facility by Dr. Victor Gambone in April 2000, admitting in a 2002 evidentiary hearing Terri was placed in into a hospice because Michael Schiavo told him to do so;
Evidence how Victor Gambone and Medical Director William Moore had signed and written on Terri's chart in 4/11/2000 -- "based on the patient's diagnosis and current condition, I expect this patient has a limited life expectancy of (six) months or less, if disease continues to take its usual course, and hereby certify patient as eligible for hospice" ..Yet Terri was NOT and NEVER was terminal or diagnosed with any DISEASE giving her 6 months or less to live...
Despite Evidence that Terri's so called "wishes " were only hearsay and not written testimony of them by her estranged husband was never Admissible under Florida's evidence code under FS 90.602.
Despite the fact that Michael testified that he found Terri face down and rolled her over, yet Paramedics (according to St. Petersburg Police Report) found her face down.
Despite Evidence from NOBEL PRIZE nominee Dr. William Hammesfahr, expert neurologist giving a complete review of his extensive hands on exam of Terri.
Despite evidence that Michael Schiavo announced his engagement to Jodi Centonze and made two children with her, clearly showing that by FLA MARITAL LAW he is an adulterer and has deserted Terri as her husband.
Despite Evidence from several board-certified neurologists that Terri is not PVS and the affidavits of more than 40 physicians that she can be rehabilitated.
Evidence that Michael Schiavo filed a 1992 malpractice suit for 20 million dollars, and was awarded 1.7 million after convincing the jury he needed the money to care for his wife, but later after having the money in his hand placed a DNR on her chart and motioned the courts to remove her feeding tube
Despite evidence that Michael has been carrying on in affairs for almost as long as Terri has had her unexplained tragic accident
Despite the affidavit of nurse Carla who cared for Terri stating Michael tried to harm Terri.
Despite the statement from Michael's previous girlfriend Cyndi Shook stating Michael stalked her and did not care about Terri.
Despite the statement of the recent nurse, Nora Wagner who came forth from Woodside Hospice on March 21, 2005, stating she worked with Terri and Terri laughed at her jokes. (Note: Mrs. Wagner immediately was fired from her job for speaking up about Terri)
Despite recent statement by Dr. Chesire of the Mayo Clinic stating he did not believe Terri was in a PVS
Despite affidavit from Dr. Craddock stating Terri's 5 teeth were extracted due to dental neglect.
Despite the fact that Terri's husband (as her supposed legal guardian) denied her dental care for more than 10 years.
Despite Terri never been allowed her OWN legal representation or DUE PROCESS
Despite the hundreds of other pieces of evidence showing Terri was neglected and there was possible abuse, provided by the DCF(Department of Children and Family)
Despite the majority vote in the United States Congress LAST WEEK passing a bill that would save Terri's life
Despite President Bush's recent statement on national TV" stating it is better "to err on the side of life" and his making a special trip to fly from his vacation home to sign the bill into legislation

-Federal Judge Whittemore in Tampa Florida AGAIN DENIED AT 7:30 AM ET hearing what was to be a de novo review (allowing the Schindlers to open the case from the beginning with ALL the EVIDENCE) thus allowing the Schindlers the opportunity to have Terri's tube immediate reinserted while it is reviewed.

- The Schindlers' have now filed an appeal with the 11th Circuit court and are awaiting a decision.

- Terri lays inhumanely suffering from starvation and dehydration on her 7th day without food and water while the local judicial system denies her parents the legal right to provide ALL the pertinent evidence necessary to give her water and save her life.

PLEASE CONTACT THE DCF IMMEDIATELY!

CALL: 800.962.2873

TELL THEM

1. YOU KNOW OF A DISABLED WOMAN IN IMMINENT DANGER!
2. SHE IS BEING GROTESQUELY NEGLECTED.

3. SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED WATER SINCE 18 MAR 2005.
**FORGET THE FOOD**

4. HER NAME IS TERRI SCHINDLER SCHIAVO. (SPELL SCHIAVO)
DOB: DECEMBER 3, 1963

5. YOU ARE "FRIENDS OF HER FAMILY"
6. SHE IS LOCATED AT
THE WOODSIDE HOSPICE CENTER
IN PINELLAS PARK -County Pinellas-
6774 102nd Avenue N.
Pinellas Park, Florida 33782-2909
727-547-1947
727-581-5846

7. YOUR FULL NAME AND PHONE NUMBER

Remember to TAKE THE PERSON'S NAME
AND EMPLOYEE NUMBER.

They are very compassionate!

DO NOTHING ELSE - CALL THEM NOW!!!

***** PLEASE EMAIL THE NAME
OF AGENT AND ID NUMBER.***
THIS WILL BE IMPORTANT EVIDENCE OF YOUR COMPLAINT SHOULD TERRI DIE !!

American Family Raped by Judicial Corruption... By Cheryl Ford RN

2005-03-25T14:48:00.000-08:00

March 25, 2005

American Family Raped by Judicial Corruption
By Cheryl Ford RN

These last several evenings, I have been sitting in a small thrift store located directly across from Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida. A few weeks back, the local owner decided to temporarily close her thrift store business to the public. Her kindness and compassion for Terri's tragic situation led her to create a small makeshift gathering area inside her little store. This little space is where the Schindlers and close friends now find solace from the crowds and media while Terri lies dying from starvation and dehydration.

During these past two years, I have been watching the Schindlers' anguish as they ventured down every legal avenue to save their daughters life. I have witnessed a family whose expressions resembled the faces depicted in old photos of parents who stood petrified and helpless, as their children were torn from their arms in Nazi, Germany. I've watched the Schindlers' cry, plead and beg the Government to look into the inhumane execution of their daughters life. Once again, with a race against time, and for the second time in two years, I feel helpless as a nurse and their friend. I see the pain in their eyes when they look at me with desperation asking silently how much time their daughter has remaining without food and water.

Two nights ago, Terri's mother Mary, worn and extremely tired, looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked, "What am I going to do Cheryl, I am watching them kill my daughter and I am not allowed to help her?" We both cried. Her words barely audible as she desperately described Terri laying in her bed inside the death camp across the narrow street, "I love my daughter, she wasn't dying last Thursday, but she is dying now." Mary tired and numb continued...... "She responds to me, she smiles at me, we love each other, but her eyes are sinking in now and her face is beginning to show signs she is starving and is thirsty." Mary cried out......"Please, this is America, who can we get to help stop my daughters inhumane death?"

Bobby, Terri's brother emotionally and physically drained after numerous sleepless nights from traveling to meet with Senators in Washington DC, pleading for his sisters life, held his head in his hands. He exclaimed... "What am I going to do, I cannot believe this is happening to my sister; how can this be happening in America?"
Bobby paced the floor while vocalizing how his worst fears had become a reality......"She looks like a holocaust victim, how can we as a civilized society allow this to happen to any human being?"

The shock of knowing that no more than 300 yards from me laid a young, healthy woman who was dying from starvation only because of the actions inflicted upon her by her estranged spouse due to his mission to see her dead, was almost more than I could bare. Yes, Terri would die because of the initial decisions that had been made by one local probate judge many years back when Michael Schiavo entered as hearsay evidence to his court, Terri had wanted to die. The very notion that this could be happening in a country that delivers a message of freedom, liberty and justice, is unfathomable. What was I missing here? Had I been disillusioned into thinking I was actually standing on American soil, as I stood watching a 10 year old little boy arrested, handcuffed, and then placed into the back of a paddy wagon for attempting to bring water into a woman who he knew was being starved and dehydrated?

Today, Terri is on her 7th day without food and water. Her family is again forced to sit and watch the life sucked out of her. They know very basic nutrition and water could refuel her life. However, they are watched by police and forbidden to give her even a drop of water as her lips dry and crack and she looks to her mother; a loving mother who provided her with nourishment from the time of conception.

After witnessing Terri's tragic situation with my own eyes and ears over these last two years, I have come away knowing America will never be the same for me. As we rallied on the streets for Terri in order to gain attention to her story, telling of the judicial tyranny here in Florida, we have been called names by people who have not a clue what is happening to Terri, let alone how her death will someday soon effect this nation. Sadly, many will never question the truth about what really happened to Terri Schiavo until they someday find themselves in her situation. When she dies it will not be a matter of "if" this will happen to many others, it will be a matter of "when" it will happen.

For any government official to not become involved in this judicial corruption and homicide, but instead choose to hide behind the notion they cannot become involved because of this being a family dispute, only shows the ignorance behind the leaders in our country. Terri's death is not about "conservatives" "radicals" "religious zealots" "Democrats" "Republican's" "family disputes" or gains for political advancements. It is about local, judicial corruption, a woman whose wishes were never in writing, and a man who has used his authority as her so-called spouse (despite his engagement to another woman) to see her dead! He has used the legal system and its corruption to his criminal advantage. When will people awaken to the real issues at hand here?

Our Governor now says he cannot go beyond the scope of his power. But, he always had the power to act, under Florida's laws. Is this a message to us all that one corrupt judge and one estranged spouse who potentially placed Terri in this situation, controls our Government?

In addition, we must remember that from the time of our conception we have needed a source of nutrition in order to survive. When we allow judges to intentionally remove our
basic nutritional elements from healthy human beings so to terminate life, we soon will face our own extinction.

For many years, I had wondered to myself, how did they get away with marching all those innocent people into the gas chambers; why did no one stand up and try to stop them?
I now have a clearer understanding how it was accomplished!

***
About the Author: Cheryl Ford is a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Washington. She is the founder and CEO of her own company which assists in the financial, social and clinical assessment and placement of patients requiring a wide range of skilled medical treatment to over 450 licensed Adult Family Homes. The licensed Adult Family homes are owned and operated by physicians and nurses. While also maintaining another residence and an additional business in the state of Florida, her involvement as an activist in the Terri Schiavo case has arisen as a concerned citizen, as well as from the many years of knowledge she possesses as a Clinical Case Manager, licensed Registered Nurse and former firefighter/paramedic.

Update From The Schindler Camp: March 21, 2005 -- 2:40 AM ET

2005-03-20T23:55:00.000-08:00

From: Cheryl Ford RN
March 21, 2005 -- 2:40 AM ET

President Bush signed the bill into law at 1:11 AM ET

The attorney's here in Florida will need to locate a Federal Judge now who will agree to hear the case. I've been told that the judge is chosen through a random process. Once a judge is assigned, we believe the Federal judge will sign a protective stay and will authorize permission to have Terri's feeding tube reinserted. The attorney's are still awake and are working to quickly obtain the necessary signatures so they can be prepared to move forward with the next legal step.

The Schindlers are very tired but are holding up remarkably well. They are at the Hospice facility. Their primary focus at this time is on their daughters safety and having her feeding tube reinserted as soon as possible.

Mr. Schindler reports that Terri is doing fine. He said Terri is alert and her skin is cool. He said she appeared a bit more tired today, however, she is still doing well.

Terri's parents are very grateful for all the support they have received from every one here on the internet. They know that it was due to all of your hard work calling and writing the Senate that helped to have Terri's story heard in Congress.

Please note, Terri's situation is not over until we have a judge who is willing to give a protective stay and we are assured that her her feeding tube can be reinserted.

The family request that you please continue to pray for Terri's safety and health.

I will keep you posted as I hear anything new from the Schindlers.

Thank you again for the dedication and caring you continue to provide to the Schindler family.

You are an amazing group of people and I personally thank you as well.

Cheryl Ford RN

Attorney Barbara Weller's Last Visit With Terri --March 18, 2005

2005-03-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

This narrative is also found on Terri's website www.terrisfight.org

Last Visit Narrative

by Attorney Barbara Weller

When Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed at 1:45 p.m. on March 18, 2005, I was one of the most surprised people on the planet. I had been visiting Terri throughout the morning with her family and her priest. As part of the legal team working throughout the previous days and nights to save Terri from a horrific fate, I was very hopeful. Although the state judicial system had obviously failed Terri by not protecting her life, I knew other forces were still at work. I fully expected the federal courts would step in to reverse this injustice, just as they might for a prisoner unjustly set for execution—although by much more humane means than Terri would be executed. Barring that, I was certain that sometime around noon, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services would come to the Woodside Hospice facility in Pinellas Park and take Terri into protective custody. Or that federal marshals would arrive from Washington D.C, where the Congress was working furiously to try to save Terri, and would stand guard at her door to prevent any medical personnel from entering her room to remove the tube that was providing her nutrition and hydration.

Finally, I was sure if nothing else was working, that at 12:59,just before the hour scheduled for Terri’s gruesome execution to begin, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush would at least issue a 60-day reprieve for the legislative bodies to complete the work they were attempting to do to save Terri’s life and to make sure that no other vulnerable adults could be sentenced to starve to death in America. I had done the legal research weeks before and was fully convinced that Gov. Bush had the power, under our co-equal branches of government, to issue a reprieve in the face of a judicial death sentence intended to lead to the starvation and dehydration of an innocent woman when scores of doctors and neurologists were saying she could be helped.

All morning long, as I was in the room with Terri and her family, we were telling her that help was on the way. Terri was in good spirits that morning. The mood in her room was jovial, particularly around noontime, as we knew Congressional attorneys were on the scene and many were working hard to save Terri’s life. For most of that time, I was visiting and talking with Terri along with Terri’s sister Suzanne Vitadamo, Suzanne’s husband, and Terri’s aunt, who was visiting from New York to help provide support for the family. A female Pinellas Park police office was stationed at the door outside Terri’s room.

Terri was sitting up in her lounge chair, dressed and looking alert and well. Her feeding tube had been plugged in around 11 a.m. and we all felt good that she was still being fed. Suzanne and I were talking, joking, and laughing with Terri, telling her she was going to go to Washington D.C. to testify before Congress, which meant that finally Terri’s husband Michael would be required to fix her wheelchair. After that Suzanne could take Terri to the mall shopping and could wheel her outdoors every day to feel the wind and sunshine on her face, something she has not been able to do for more than five years.

At one point, I noticed Terri’s window blinds were pulled down. I went to the window to raise them so Terri could look at the beautiful garden outside her window and see the sun after several days of rain. As sunlight came into the room, Terri’s eyes widened and she was obviously very pleased. At another point, Suzanne and I told Terri she needed to suck in all the food she could because she might not be getting anything for a few days. During that time, Mary Schindler, Terri’s mother, joined us for a bit, and we noticed there were bubbles in Terri’s feeding tube. We joked that we didn’t want her to begin burping, and called the nurses to fix the feeding tube, which they did. Terri’s mother did not come back into the room. This was a very difficult day for Bob and Mary Schindler. I suspect they were less hopeful all along than I was, having lived through Terri’s last two feeding tube removals.

Suzanne and I continued to talk and joke with Terri for probably an hour or more. At one point Suzanne called Terri the bionic woman and I heard Terri laugh out loud heartily for the first time since I have been visiting with her. She laughed so hard that for the first time I noticed the dimples in her cheeks.

The most dramatic event of this visit happened at one point when I was sitting on Terri’s bed next to Suzanne. Terri was sitting in her lounge chair and her aunt was standing at the foot of the chair. I stood up and learned over Terri. I took her arms in both of my hands. I said to her, “Terri if you could only say ‘I want to live’ this whole thing could be over today.” I begged her to try very hard to say, “I want to live.” To my enormous shock and surprise, Terri’s eyes opened wide, she looked me square in the face, and with a look of great concentration, she said, “Ahhhhhhh.” Then, seeming to summon up all the strength she had, she virtually screamed, “Waaaaaaaa.” She yelled so loudly that Michael Vitadamo, Suzanne’s husband, and the female police officer who were then standing together outside Terri’s door, clearly heard her. At that point, Terri had a look of anguish on her face that I had never seen before and she seemed to be struggling hard, but was unable to complete the sentence. She became very frustrated and began to cry. I was horrified that I was obviously causing Terri so much anguish. Suzanne and I began to stroke Terri’s face and hair to comfort her. I told Terri I was very sorry. It had not been my intention to upset her so much. Suzanne and I assured Terri that her efforts were much appreciated and that she did not need to try to say anything more. I promised Terri I would tell the world that she had tried to say, ”I want to live.”

Suzanne and I continued to visit and talk with Terri, along with other family members who came and went in the room, until about 2:00 p.m. when we were all told to leave after Judge Greer denied yet another motion for stay and ordered the removal of the feeding tube to proceed. As we left the room, the female police officer outside the door was valiantly attempting to keep from crying.

Just as Terri’s husband Michael has told the world he must keep an alleged promise to kill Terri, a promise remembered a million dollars and nearly a decade after the fact; I must keep my promise to Terri immediately. Time is running out for her. I went out to the banks of cameras outside the hospice facility and told the story immediately. Now I must also tell the story in writing for the world to hear. It may be the last effective thing I can do to try to keep Terri alive so she can get the testing, therapy, and rehabilitative help she so desperately needs before it is too late.

About four in the afternoon, several hours after the feeding tube was removed, I returned to Terri’s room. By that time she was alone except for a male police officer now standing inside the door. When I entered the room and began to speak to her, Terri started to cry and tried to speak to me immediately. It was one of the most helpless feelings I have ever had. Terri was looking very melancholy at that point and I had the sense she was very upset that we had told her things were going to get better, but instead, they were obviously getting worse. I had previously had the same feeling when my own daughter was a baby who was hospitalized and was crying and looking to me to rescue her from her hospital crib, something I could not do. While I was in the room with Terri for the next half hour or so, several other friends came to visit and I did a few press interviews sitting right next to Terri. I again raised her window shade, which had again been pulled down, so Terri could at least see the garden and the sunshine from her lounge chair. I also turned the radio on in her room before I left so that when she was alone, she would at least have some music for comfort.

Just before I left the room, I leaned over Terri and spoke right into her ear. I told her I was very sorry I had not been able to stop the feeding tube from being taken out and I was very sorry I had to leave her alone. But I reminded her that Jesus would stay right by her side even when no one else was there with her. When I mentioned Jesus’ Name, Terri again laughed out loud. She became very agitated and began loudly trying to speak to me again. As Terri continued to laugh and try to speak, I quietly prayed in her ear, kissed her, placed her in Jesus’ care, and left the room.

Terri is alone now. As I write this last visit narrative, it is five in the morning of March 19. Terri has been without food and water for nearly 17 hours. I’m sure she is beginning at least to become thirsty, if not hungry. And I am left to wonder how many other people care.

PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 18, 2005 1:50 PM ET

2005-03-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:
MARCH 18, 2005
1:50 PM ET

JUDGE GREER HAS STATED HE IS NOT LISTENING TO THE FEDERAL SUBPOENAS AND HAS REINSTATED HIS ORDER TO REMOVE TERRI'S FEEDING TUBE. TERRI'S FEEDING TUBE IS SCHEDULED TO COME OUT IMMEDIATELY.

PRESS RELEASE MARCH 18, 2005

2005-03-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:
MARCH 18, 2005
11:45 AM

THE HOSPICE HAS JUST NOW BEEN SERVED WITH FEDERAL SUBPOENAS ASKING THEM TO NOT REMOVE FOOD AND FLUIDS FROM TERRI SCHINDLER - SCHIAVO.

A LETTER FROM CONGRESS HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED TO BOTH MICHAEL AND TERRI FOR THEM BOTH TO APPEAR ON MARCH 28, 2005 AT 10:00 AM FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO TAKE PLACE INTO NON-AMBULATORY CARE.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE CONTINUE TO CALL YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN AND TELL THEM TO PASS THE INCAPACITATED BILL FOR TERRI.

IT IS IMPERATIVE NOT TO LET THE HEAT OFF OF YOUR SENATORS. THEY MUST BE CALLED EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR IF POSSIBLE. TERRI IS NOT OUT OF DANGER YET. WE MUST NOT LET UP ON THE SENATORS UNTIL THIS BILL HAS BEEN PASSED.
THIS WILL BE THE ONLY WAY WE CAN PROTECT TERRI.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CHERYL FORD RN
ATTACHMENTS: LETTER DAVID GIBBS
LETTER FROM CONGRESS
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT

ACTION ITEM # 1- MARCH 18, 2005 --US CONGRESS

2005-03-17T23:57:00.000-08:00

March 18, 2005
ACTION ITEM # 1
3:00 AM ET
US CONGRESS

MICHAEL SCHIAVO, GEORGE FELOS AND JUDGE GREER WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT LIFE.

ON MARCH 18, 2005 AT 1:00 PM TERRI SCHINDLER-SCHIAVO WILL BEGIN A SENTENCE OF STARVATION AND DEHYDRATION AT WOODSIDE HOSPICE IN PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA.

PLEASE.....PLEASE......PLEASE......... PICK UP YOUR PHONES AND CALL THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE AT THE US CONGRESS!

MESSAGE:
"YOU MUST SAVE TERRI, SHE IS INNOCENT"

House Speaker Dennis Hastert
Phone: 202-225-2976
Fax: 202-225-0697
http://www.house.gov/hastert/write1.shtml

Majority Tom Delay
Ph. (202) 225-5951
Fax (202) 225-5241
http://tomdelay.house.gov/contactmecase.htm

Representative James Sessenbrenner
(202) 225-5101
mailto:sensenbrenner@mail.house.gov

ACTION ITEM # 2 MARCH 18, 2005 FLORIDA SENATE

2005-03-17T23:54:00.000-08:00

ACTION ITEM # 2
MARCH 18, 2005
3:00 AM ET
FLORIDA SENATE

MICHAEL SCHIAVO, GEORGE FELOS AND JUDGE GREER WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT LIFE.

ON MARCH 18, 2005 AT 1:00 PM TERRI SCHINDLER-SCHIAVO WILL BEGIN A SENTENCE OF STARVATION AND DEHYDRATION AT WOODSIDE HOSPICE IN PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA.

PLEASE.....PLEASE......PLEASE......... PICK UP YOUR PHONES FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND CALL THE FLORIDA SENATE.

MESSAGE: "CHANGE YOUR VOTE NOW AND SAVE TERRI!"

THANK YOU!
CHERYL

FLORIDA SENATE

Senator J.D. Alexander, Majority Whip
Phone: (850) 487-5044
E-mail: alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Nancy Argenziano
Phone: (850) 487-5017
E-mail: argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Dave Aronberg
Phone: (850) 487-5356
E-mail: aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Mike Bennett
Phone: (850) 487-5078
E-mail: bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Larcenia Bullard
Phone: (850) 487-5127
E-mail: bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Walter “Skip” Campbell
Phone: (850) 487-5094
E-mail: campbell.walter.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Lisa Carlton
Phone: (850) 487-5081
E-mail: carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Paula Dockery
Phone: (850) 487-5040
E-mail: dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Dennis Jones
Phone: (850) 487-5065
E-mail: jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Jim King
Phone: (850) 487-5030
E-mail: king.james.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Dave Aronberg
Phone: (850) 487-5356
E-mail: aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Evelyn J. Lynn
Phone: (850) 487-5033
E-mail: lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Burt L. Saunders
Phone: (850) 487-5124
E-mail: saunders.burt.web@flsenate.gov

Please call Florida Senators

2005-03-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

The following Florida Senators may not be giving favorable consideration to SB 2128 (the companion now to HB 701). If you can, please hit the phone lines. If you can email, please do. This is to be considered in both chambers today in Florida. We need your help.

I've been asked to relay that the best use of language is something very concise and brief, such as "Pass a law that is constitutional, good public policy and that will protect the interests of Florida's disabled and elderly."

Nancy Argenziano (R)
argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5017
Rm 311

"Mike" Michael S. Bennett (R)
bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5078
Rm 216 (senate office building)

She might be willing? Maybe
Larcenia J. Bullard (D)
bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5127
Rm 218

Lisa Carlton (R)
carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 4875081
Rm 412

Alex Diaz de la Portilla
portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5109
Rm 314

Paula Dockery
dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5040
Rm 326

Friend of Jim King probably will go the same way
Dennis L. Jones
jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5065
Rm 222

"King" James E. King
king.james.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5368
Rm 416

Evelyn J. Lynn
lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5033
Rm 324

Burt L. Saunders
saunders.burt.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5124
Rm 418

Alex J. Villalobos
villalobos.alex.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5130
Rm 330

Skip Campbell
850-487-5094

campbell.walter.web@flsenate.gov

JD Alexander
850-487-5044

alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov

Tony Hill
850-487-5024

hill.anthony.web@flsenate.gov

Les Miller
850-487-5059

miller.lesley.web@flsenate.gov

Al Lawson
850-487-5004

lawson.alfred.web@flsenate.gov

Burt Saunders
850-487-5124

saunders.burt.web@flsenate.gov

Ken Pruitt
850-487-5088
pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov

Rod Smith
850-487-5020

smith.rod.web@flsenate.gov

Transcript: Schiavo on Nightline

2005-03-16T09:56:00.000-08:00

Transcript: Michael Schiavo on 'Nightline'

Husband at the Heart of the 'Right to Die' Case Speaks to Chris Bury

March 15, 2005 -- Michael Schiavo won a series of lengthy court battles for the right to take his severely-disabled wife Terri off life support, but now faces a new challenge from Florida lawmakers who are seeking to pass a bill that would stop him from doing so.

Terri Schiavo collapsed in 1990 and suffered severe brain damage. She has been kept alive by a feeding tube ever since and has been unable to speak or care for herself. Her parents have insisted she is not in a persistent vegetative state, as doctors appointed by the court have concluded. They also believe she would not have wanted to be allowed to die.

While Michael Schiavo has only rarely spoken to the press, he gave an interview to ABC News' Chris Bury as the bill moves through the state legislature and the day for removing his wife's feeding tube approaches.

The following is a transcript of their conversation.

BURY: Joining us now from Dunedin, Fla., Michael Schiavo and his lawyer George Felos.

Michael, you've had very little to say outside of what's been filed in the legal briefs over the last year or so. Why have you decided to come out tonight and have something to say?

SCHIAVO: The reason why I've been keeping private for the longest time ever here, I've always wanted to protect my wife's privacy. I don't like — I didn't want to put her picture all over the news. I just wanted to keep her private.

And today, and what's going on in the legislation, is really the reason why I'm starting to speak out, because it's outrageous.

BURY: When you say the legislation, I assume what you're talking about is the bill back now in the Florida legislature, which actually passed a committee in the legislature today and could be on Gov. Bush's desk by Friday, which is the same day that Terri's feeding tubes are to be removed. Is that right?

SCHIAVO: That's correct.

You know, it's really uncomprehensible to think that a private family matter that has gone through the judiciary system for the past seven years — I mean, we're talking all the way up to the United States Supreme Court — and for a governor to come into this without any education on the subject and push his personal views into this and have his Republican legislation pass laws so that this doesn't happen.
He's basically jumping right over the state court's decision. We might as well not have any state courts.

BURY: Just, Michael, so we can all understand the legislation — as I understand it, this would require that before the feeding tubes could be removed from someone in a vegetative state, they would have had to have left written instructions to the effect that that was OK with that. Is that correct?

SCHIAVO: That's what they're trying to pass now, yes.

BURY: And let me ask your lawyer, George Felos: How problematic is this legislation for you?

FELOS: Chris, this is the second time this has happened.

As everyone knows, in October 2003 the governor sent armed men to Terri's death bed, took her to a hospital and had surgery performed on her against her will.

The Florida Supreme Court said that was unconstitutional, and it also said there is absolutely nothing the Florida legislature can pass that can undo the result in Terri Schiavo's case. Yet, in response to political pressure, the legislature is poised to pass another unconstitutional bill.

And not only that, it's not just Floridians' rights that are at stake, but everyone in the country. There is a bill in the United States Congress, and this bill in the United States Congress would virtually let any family member bring a federal court habeas corpus proceeding, which would tie up a case like that for years in federal court, which would make it virtually impossible for anyone to remove artificial life support.

And I want to mention, too, for everyone listening out there, this bill, filed in federal court, does not pertain just to vegetative patients. It doesn't pertain just to removal of feeding tubes. It pertains to removal or refusal of any type of medical treatment.

BURY: Just for the sake of argument, if this Florida bill moves through the legislature and Governor Bush signs it as early as Friday, does that move the whole thing back into the courts?

SCHIAVO: Well, we'll have to see what, in fact, passes on Friday.

It may very well delay implementation of Terri's rights. We certainly hope that it will not. But it is beyond any doubt that the Florida Supreme Court will once again declare such a law unconstitutional.

BURY: Michael, did Terri, your wife, leave any kind of written instructions about her wishes?

SCHIAVO: She didn't leave any written instructions. She has verbally expressed her wishes to me and other people. BURY: She had verbally expressed them in what context exactly?

SCHIAVO: Through watching some TV program, a conversation that happened regarding her uncle that was very ill.

BURY: And how long ago was that? SCHIAVO: Oh, we're talking — it's now been 15 years. We're talking a couple of year, three years before this happened to Terri.

BURY: So there's no kind of written record at all. It's basically your recollection and those of other family members.

SCHIAVO: Yes, it is.

FELOS: But, Chris…

BURY: Go ahead, George.

FELOS: You have to remember that statistics show that something around 20 to 30 percent of adult Americans have written living wills. And if you're going to try to restrict families and patients from making decisions to stop artificial life support because patient declarations were oral, then the vast majority of Americans are going to be prevented from making these types of decisions.

SCHIAVO: People make these comments all the time. They talk about this with their loved ones every day. People's feedings — tube feedings — are stopped across this country every day. If my wife wasn't the celeb, as everybody is calling her now, there would be no discussion in the legislation right now. My other — are they going to start pushing legislation for removing ventilators? Are they going to start forcing people to take chemo against their wishes? What they're doing is, they're making the decisions for us. That's what this country is coming down to. They're going to make the decisions for us.

BURY: In this…

SCHIAVO: Big Brother is going to do that.

BURY: Michael, in the heated rhetoric that's swirling around this case and has been for a number of years now — all kinds of charges have been flying back and forth. First of all, do you stand to benefit financially in any way from your wife's death?

SCHIAVO: There is no money. I will receive not a penny.

BURY: You did receive something of a malpractice settlement north of $1 million at one point, is that correct?

SCHIAVO: Yes.

FELOS: Well, no.

BURY: And what happened to that?

FELOS: Michael didn't receive those funds. Those were received in Terri's guardianship and it was a bank who was her guardian of the property that administered those funds.

BURY: But the question remains: What happened to those funds?

FELOS: Well, those funds have been used for Terri's medical care and guardianship expenses and costs and fees over many, many years. Those funds are virtually gone, and Mr. Schiavo is not going to inherit or gain one penny by the result of Terri's death.

BURY: And so, Michael, who is now — and let's get the camera over to Michael if we can — Michael, who is now paying for Terri's case?

SCHIAVO: Actually, right now, she's listed on the indigent list for hospice. They were taking care of her. They take very good care of her.

BURY: It's got to be very expensive.

SCHIAVO: She had — I haven't received any bills from it, so I couldn't tell you how much it would cost.

BURY: Your wife's family and their supporters have been arguing in the most graphic terms that what you are going to allow happen on Friday, in their words, is in effect condemning your wife to a cruel death by starvation. I'd like you to address that charge from them.

SCHIAVO: That's one of their soapboxes they've been on for a long time. Terry will not be starved to death. Her nutrition and hydration will be taken away. This happens across this country every day. Death through removing somebody's nutrition is very painless. That has been brought to the courts many of times. Doctors have come in and testified. It is a very painless procedure

Terry can't — she has no cortex left. She doesn't feel pain. She doesn't feel hunger. So what's going to happen is slowly — her potassium and her electrolytes will slowly diminish and she will drift off to a nice little sleep and eventually pass on to be with God.

BURY: Michael, as you know, her parents have said they are willing to take on the burden of caring for her. And we want to tackle that question when we come back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BURY: Back now with Michael Schiavo with his lawyer, George Felos.

Michael, you're very well aware of Terri's parents' contention that, to some very limited degree, she is responsive and aware of her surroundings. So now, I want to play, for just a second, what her father, Bob Schindler, said on this program to Ted Koppel in October of 2003.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCHINDLER: We have yea votes that would outnumber the nay votes by at least three to one. Essentially we have close to 15 doctors that are on record with the courts stating Terry is not in a consistent vegetative state. So we're not just out there on a lark. We have bona fide information from a professional neurologist that Terry can recover.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURY: Michael, you heard from her father that they believe she can recover. We've also heard that she responds to her mother and responds to objects with her eyes. What have you seen in the last 15 years?

SCHIAVO: Terry does not respond to anybody. She makes noises. She moans. She's been doing the same things for the past 15 years. And they talk about their bona fide doctors. They have a list of doctors that signed affidavits from looking at a picture of Terry. That's where they get their information from, by looking at a picture. And then they sign an affidavit swearing that she's not in a vegetative stage. I'll tell you. That's a doctor you really want; they can look at a picture and make a diagnosis.

BURY: The parents also argue that you have moved on with your life, that you now have children that you're with, another woman, and that you could, essentially, divorce Terri and relinquish guardianship to them. Why don't you do that?

SCHIAVO: If I moved on with my life — and I moved on with a portion of it — but I still have a big commitment to Terri. I made her a promise. And another reason why I won't give Terri back is that Mr. Schindler testified in court, at the 2000 trial, that he would — to keep Terri alive he would cut her arms and legs off and put her on a ventilator just to keep her alive. So why would I give her to a man that would do that to you?

BURY: As I understand it, some people have actually offered rewards. In fact, just in the last week or so, I read that someone was willing to pay you $1 million to give up your guardianship to the parents.

SCHIAVO: Yes, there was an offer. And there was an offer two weeks before that by an attorney in Boca Raton that offered me $10 million. It's not about the money. This is about Terri. It's not about the Schindlers, it's not about the legislators, it's not about me, it's about what Terri Schiavo wanted.

BURY: I understand that that's your feeling about what your wife wanted, but knowing that you believe she is in a vegetative state and knowing that her mother and father have said they're willing to pick up the burden and carry on the cost, what is the harm to you if you agree to their wishes and relinquish guardianship to them?

SCHIAVO: Basically what I just said. Her father stated in court he would cut her arms and legs off. I'm not going to turn over Terri to a person that would do that to you.

FELOS: Chris, the fact is that Terri Schiavo is not a piece of property, not a suitcase that one person can give to another. She's an individual that has constitutional rights that have been adjudicated. It's a constitutional right to say, "I don't want medical treatment" and the state can't force you to have it. She may be in a vegetative state, but her dignity requires that we honor her rights and that's what this case is about now. Everyone's constitutional rights are at stake.

Jeb Bush in Florida is determined to become the George Wallace of his generation, standing on the courthouse steps saying, "We're not going to obey a court order that carries out a patient's constitutional rights." And the thing is is that, if Mrs. Schiavo's rights are frustrated here, if the court order giving her the right to refuse medical treatment is frustrated and overturned by the governor or the legislature or the Congress, it could happen to you. It could happen in any case. If any judicial decision is unpopular, it can be subject to being overturned by popular clamor. That's not what this country is about. That's not what individual liberty is about.

BURY: I understand fully the legal question here, Michael. But let ask you in simply human terms. Can you understand the parents' contention, the bond that they have with their daughter, and their reluctance to let her go? Do you understand that?

SCHIAVO: You know, I have children and, you know, I couldn't even fathom what it would be like to lose a child. But you know, it's been 15 years. They know the condition Terri is in. They were there in the beginning. They heard the doctors. They know that Terri's in a persistent vegetative state. They testified to that at the original trial. Fifteen years — you've got to come to grips with it sometime.

BURY: In that 15 years, what has been the most difficult aspect for you, personally?

SCHIAVO: In the 15 years? This happening to my wife. Just because it's happened to Terri doesn't mean I don't still love her. She was a part of my life. She'll always be a part of my life. And to sit here and be called a murderer and an adulterer by people that don't know me, and a governor stepping into my personal, private life, who doesn't know me either? And using his personal gain to win votes, just like the legislators are doing right now, pandering to the religious right, to the people up there, the anti-abortion people, standing outside of Tallahassee. What kind of government is this? This is a human being. This is not right, and I'm telling everybody you better call you congressman, because they're going to run your life. And I just want to say one more thing: Out of all these lawmakers, be it the Florida Senate, Florida House, the U.S. Congress, Gov. Bush, President Bush — I want to know who will come down and take Terri's place. Who wants to do that?

BURY: Michael, I can imagine many people watching this tonight and looking at you and struggling with your dilemma and wondering, if they were in a similar position, what they might do. Based on your own experience over this past 15 years, what advice do you give to families who might have to cope with this situation one day?

SCHIAVO: Make a living will. Talk about it. Death is going to happen to everybody. Write it down. Even if you write it on a piece of paper at home and have your family witness it, you need to write it down.

BURY: Michael Schiavo, George Felos, thank you very much for joining us tonight. And I'll be back in a moment. «PREVIOUS 1. 2. 3. 4

URGENT ACTION ITEM

2005-03-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

March 16, 2005
URGENT ACTION ITEM

To: Terri Supporters
From: Cheryl Ford RN, Nurse Activist/Spokesperson Terri Schindler Foundation

Last night I returned from three days in Tallahassee at the State House Committee meetings regarding HB701 which hopefully will help to save Terri's life if it is passed before Friday.
Tomorrow, Thursday, it will go before the Senate. Your emails and telephone calls are working. The State Representatives spoke about how they were flooded with your calls and emails. We at the Terri Schindler Foundation thank you for all that you are doing to help to save Terri.

ACTION ITEM NEEDED NOW:

This item is extremely important with how it is handled.

Please call and email Governor Bush with one item only.

Subject Line:
Terri's tube MUST NOT be removed surgically on Friday. Her feeding tube can be safely capped off while the investigations are underway.

It is invasive and risky to have Terri surgically undergo removal of the feeding tube when the same results can be achieved by placing a cap at the end of the tube.

Feeding tube must NOT be surgically removed.

Governor...please take ACTION to stop the surgical removal of Terri's feeding tube NOW!

Call Jeb NOW!
Gov. Jeb Bush
850-488-4441
850-487-0801 (fax)
jeb.bush@myflorida.com, fl_governor@myflorida.com, jeb@jeb.org,
jeb@myflorida.com

Executive Office of Governor, Legal Team to Jeb
*Ask to speak to the following individuals*

Robert H. Fernandez (Deputy General Counsel to Governor) ->
fernanr@eog.state.fl.us

Raquel A. Rodriguez (General Counsel to Governor) ->
raquel.rodriguez@myflorida.com

Christa Calamas (Assistant General Counsel to Governor) ->
calamac@eog.state.fl.us
850 / 488-3494 (voice)
850 / 488-9810 (fax)

Section: 415:1051--- This allows DCF through adult protective services to provide protective custody for the victim of alleged abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.

Send Message to State Representatives

2005-03-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

PLEASE..SEND A MESSAGE TO THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES ASAP IN SUPPORT OF TERRI. YOUR EMAILS AND LETTERS ARE WORKING. THE REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSED THE NUMBERS OF EMAILS THEY ARE RECEIVING AT YESTERDAY'S JUDICIARY MEETING.

PLEASE.........YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

TAKE TIME TOSAVE A LIFE....WRITE A LETTER TO SUPPORT TERRI NOW. SUPPORT HB701 !

THANK YOU,
CHERYL

Home » Councils & Committees » Health & Families Council

Location:
200 House Office Building *
402 South Monroe Street *
Tallahassee,FL 32399-1300
Contact: (850) 414-5600

Next Meeting: March 15, 2005 9:30 AM View Notice

Representatives:
Benson, Anna Holliday (R) Chair
Homan, Ed (R) Vice Chair
Bean, Aaron (R)
Brandenburg, Mary (D)
Galvano, Bill (R)
Garcia, Rene (R)
Gibson, Hugh (R)
Harrell, Gayle (R)
Robaina, Julio (R)
Sobel, Eleanor (D)
Vana, Shelley (D)

Staff:
Moore, Mary Pat Council Director
Iseminger, Bobbye Administrative Assistant

Committee Documents
All Council and Committee Documents
Meeting Notices
Meeting Packets
Proposed Committee Bills (PCBs)
Action Packets
Interim Projects (Reports)
General Publications

2005-03-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

Barricades around the hospice where Terri Schiavo lives

Video Story
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=12509

By:Bill McGinty

The city says that public sidewalks and streets have been blocked by protesters as grade school children are trying to get home.

Some of the protesters say the city and the hospice are just trying to limit where and how people can protest while others told us they think it’s a pretty good idea.

The city says as many as two to three thousand people may attend vigils this week in front of the hospice.

Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube will be removed at 1:00pm on Friday unless there is another stay from the courts.

Both sides have legal motions pending before the second district court of appeals that could affect the outcome of this case this week.

Bill McGinty, Tampa Bay's 10 News

The Rose Rally

2005-03-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

Tallahassee, Florida
March 13, 2005

The Rose Rally began at 3:00 PM at the old capitol courtyard in Tallahassee, Florida. The windy day event brought forth a few thousand people in support of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Terri, a 41 year old disabled woman awaits her death penalty on March 18, 2005 at 1:00 PM; a death penalty imposed upon her by estranged husband Michael Schiavo. Shiavo who was only married to Terri for 5 years before her unexplained tragic accident has petitioned the court for an order to remove her feeding tube and kill her by starvation and dehydration.

Looking out at the captive audience which filled the capitol courtyard, I could recall the days when Terri had only a few local supporters sitting around a dining room table fighting for her life. Today, in Tallahassee, there were a few thousand new faces from all over the country in support of Terri. Sara Lewis, a long time friend and supporter of Terri, looked over at me and commented, "How different it is Cheryl to be at an event for Terri with so many new faces we don't know." Even the guest speakers were new to Terri's fight, Tom Gallagher, Gary Cass, Kate Adamson and others.

Terri's plight began 14 years ago Robert Schindler commented upon his turn at the podium. "Two years ago, we had only 5 supporters in the court room, today the court room is filled. Our family is very grateful to have so many people fighting for our daughters life." Mr. Schindler then paused, regaining composure while wiping tears from his eyes when he talked about how they were again reliving a time from the past when their daughters feeding tube was removed in October 2003.

The Schindlers' determination to fight for their daughters life has been relentless. However, it was obvious to those of us who are so close to them to see how tired they are. The fear, pain and torture associated with fighting for their daughters life has definitely taken its toll on their physical presence. As the days rapidly pass by before Terri is scheduled to be executed by the Florida courts and her estranged spouse Michael Schiavo, the Schindlers speak out louder in support of their disabled daughter. Once again, they plead for the help of President Bush, Governor Bush and other government officials to help save their innocent disabled daughters life.

The Rose Rally speakers each delivered their powerful messages about how important it was for all to come forward and fight for Terri. Though each speaker presented a loving and caring message for Terri, Sara and I knew how each of their new faces would not have had their chance at the podium without the tireless efforts of Terri's former attorney, Ms. Patricia Anderson. Due to illness, Ms. Anderson was not able to attend the rose rally to deliver her message for Terri. Though missed in her absence, her presence was still felt throughout the rally.

On Monday morning, as each legislator arrives for work, they will be presented with one long stem red rose with a message attached. The message reads, "By Court Order, do not feed or water. However, keep this rose in a dry vase until all signs of life are gone." A rose will serve as a simple reminder of the urgency of Terri's fate that lies in their hands.

Fight4Terri @aol.com
www.fight4terri.blogspot.com
Visit Terri's site: www.terrisfight.org

National Call for Thousands to Come to Florida if Terri Schiavo's Feeding Tube is Removed

2005-03-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

National Call for Thousands to Come to Florida if Terri Schiavo's Feeding Tube is Removed
To: National Desk

Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, 202-547-1735, 540-538-4741 cell

PINELLAS PARK, Fl., March 11 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Faith organizations and leaders are encouraging supporters to come to the Woodside Hospice to stand in solidarity with Terri Schiavo if she faces starvation and dehydration from the removal of her feeding tube. The Woodside Hospice, where Terri Schiavo lives, is located at 6774 102nd Avenue N. (near 66th Street N and 102nd Avenue N) in Pinellas Park, Florida.

The groups will begin a round-the-clock vigil on Wednesday, March 16th at 12:00 P.M. Organizers to hold prayer vigils, rallies, and peaceful activist and cutting edge public events.

Rev. Rob Schenck, President of the National Clergy Council, states, "If the feeding tube is removed, we are asking people of good will to come from all across the nation to stand in solidarity with our sister Terri and the Schindler family. It is essential that we send a loud and clear message that in America we do not starve people facing physical and mental challenges. We love and care for them."

Troy Newman, Director of Operation Rescue West, comments, "If Terri were a convicted serial killer, she would be afforded more civil and legal rights then she is being given right now. It is illegal to starve an animal in America. How can we possibly allow this to happen to a human being?"

Brandi Swindell, National Director of Generation Life, shares, "I hope and pray thousands come to Florida to stand with our dear sister Terri. We must prayerfully do all that we can to save her life and ensure this never happens again."

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, adds, "If Terri's feeding tube is removed, it is critical that that the faith community and people of good will publicly stand against this horrible injustice and evil. Our prayer is that thousands will come to Pinellas Park and send a clear and powerful message to our courts and political leaders that all life is sacred and has dignity. Not only are working to save the life of Terri Schiavo, and the many others in her condition, we are working to save the future soul of our nation."

For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney 202.547.1735 Cell: 540.538.4741

VATICAN AGAINST US JUDGE---MARCH 11, 2005

2005-03-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=
200503111640-1185-RT1-CRO-0-NF11&page=
0&id=agionline-eng.oggitalia

EUTHANASIA: VATICAN AGAINST US JUDGE

(AGI) - Vatican City, Mar 11 - The Church strongly repeats its 'no' against
euthanasia, this time with Mons. Elio Sgreccia, President of the Pontificia
Accademia per la Vita, who makes a stand on the event involving the American
Mrs Terri Schiavo, according to whom, on the local judge's order and on her
husband's request, her gastric tube which keeps her living will be removed.

On the radio program of One O Five Live, belonging to the Radio Vaticana, he
said: "Even if it is not habitual of this Academy to interject supporting
specific cases of human suffering or threats to life, Mrs Terri Schiavo's
case goes beyond individual situations due to her exemplary character and
the importance that the media have rightly attributed to it.

Silence, in this case, could have been interpreted as approval, with
consequences that could go greatly beyond the specific case". The American
woman, according to Mons. Sgreccia "should be considered a living human,
deprived of full conscience, whose juridical rights should be recognized,
respected and defended". Without any half measures, Mons. Sgreccia observed
that "the removal of the gastric probe from her, in these conditions, could
be considered direct euthanasia, because it is an integral part of the way
in which Mrs Terri Schiavo can be fed and hydrated.

As far as we can see prohibiting someone access to food and water represents
a ruthless way to kill that person. We feel it our duty to affirm that such
a decision goes against the rights of Mrs Terri Schiavo and therefore
constitutes an abuse of the juridical authority". If the decision to remove
the tube will be confirmed "a juridical precedence would be created and
would present euthanasia as a right in the Court of the United States, with
grave consequences that can easily be imagined for the lives of many other
people, more or less autonomous, in this country and in others. For this
reason we consider the decision to remove the tube from Mrs Terri Schiavo
illicit". (AGI) .

111640 MAR 05
COPYRIGHTS 2002-2003 AGI S.p.A. Invia questo articolo

Judge Greer Breaks Law to Ensure Terri Schiavo’s Death

2005-03-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

Press Release

For Immediate Release – 03-10-05 3.00 PM (GMT-5)

Judge Greer Breaks Law to Ensure Terri Schiavo’s Death

Judge George W. Greer ignores Florida laws and orders the premeditated killing of disabled Florida woman by her husband.

Clearwater, FL – On Tuesday and Wednesday, March 8 and 9, 2005, Sixth Circuit Judge George W. Greer issued three orders that all but assure the death of Terri Schiavo, beginning on Friday, March 18, 2005.

Order Denying Food and Fluids Naturally After Gastric Tube Removal
Greer ordered that the family of Terri Schiavo may not introduce oral nutrition and hydration following the removal of Terri’s gastric feeding tube. Florida Statute 744.3215 (Rights of Persons Determined Incapacitated) require that incapacitated persons cannot be deprived of necessary services including food and water. Ordering that Terri Schiavo may not receive nutrition or hydration naturally is against the law, in the opinion of the Foundation.

Order Denying Updated Medical Tests
Greer ordered that no further neurological tests may be offered to Terri Schiavo, utilizing functional MRI to determine if she is in a ‘persistent vegetative state’ (As Greer found in 2002) or is her condition is ‘minimally conscious’. Florida Statute 765.404 which defines persistent vegetative state require that the condition be determined and diagnosed as permanent prior to the withdrawal of life-prolonging means. Further, Florida Statute 765.309 prevents mercy killing and assisted suicide. Without determining the true neurological condition of Terri Schiavo prior to the withdrawal of foods and fluids, the Foundation finds Judge Greer’s Order to remove Nutrition and Hydration a directive for her guardian to commit either a mercy killing or assisted suicide.

Order Denying Relief from Judgment
Greer denied an order from judgment based on his error in dismissing pertinent testimony in 2000 that would assist the court in determining Terri Schiavo’s true end of life wishes. Under Florida Statute 765.404, clear and convincing evidence of the ward’s intent for medical treatment must be established. The only evidence in support of removing Terri’s feeding tube was the self-serving hearsay testimony of her guardian (which is not admissible under FS 90.602) and hearsay from two members of his immediate family. Greer systematically ruled that testimony from Terri’s friends and family was unreliable or not credible. His failure to consider all evidence of Terri Schiavo’s attitudes towards life-prolonging measures, in the Foundation’s opinion, is a clear violation of Florida Statutes.

Please visit www.terrisfight.org to view these documents in their entirety in PDF format.

Take Terri Into Protective Custody ~ Contact Numbers

2005-03-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

1- Go To Website For DCF :
Write and ask to have Terri placed into Protective Custody
The email is: dcf-osc@dcf.state.fl.us
And the website is: http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web/

2 - Call Senate : 202-224-3121

3 - Call House: 202-225-3121

4 - Website for US GOV = http://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_phone_list.pdf

5- Write to Jeb Bush at jeb@jeb.org tell him to take Terri into Protective Custody

6- President Bush ---
Mailing Address:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500.
Phone Numbers Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414 .

Press Release--President Bush Urged to Intervene in Terri Schiavo case

2005-03-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

Press Release

For Immediate Release – 03-10-05 5.00 PM (GMT-5)

President Bush urged to intervene in Terri Schiavo Case

Healthcare advocates demand the President back up his Culture of Life stance by working to protect Terri Schiavo in Florida.

Clearwater, FL – Healthcare and Eldercare advocates in Florida are urging President George W. Bush to take a stance in the Terri Schiavo case in Florida.

Schiavo is the brain-injured woman whose husband has successfully won, through the courts, the authority to remove her tube-assisted nutrition and hydration beginning March 18, 2005. This action will cause the 41 year-old woman’s death by dehydration and starvation over the course of 7 to 14 days.

Terri’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler have asked the courts for the authority to care for her, provide her with therapy, the ability to conduct updated neurological tests, the ability to offer her food and water naturally and the ability to try new forms of therapy that could improve Terri’s ability to accept nutrition naturally. The judge has denied them in these and other efforts to protect their daughter’s life, even though there is evidence that doing so is contrary to Florida’s long settled guardianship laws.

In 2003, Governor Jeb Bush of Florida and the state’s lawmakers intervened with what would be called Terri’s Law, only to be struck down by the Supreme Court. A group of advocates, organized by Cheryl Ford, RN of Tampa, Florida, is now asking for the intervention of the President.

Citing the President’s “Culture of Life” address to the March for Life in Washington in recent months, Ford and her supporters are demanding that the President back up his words with swift action to protect the innocent, disabled woman. Activists have arranged an intensive email campaign to the Whitehouse and are asking for both the President’s words and action on behalf of Terri Schiavo.

Statement of Cheryl Ford, RN: We are asking President Bush to make a firm statement against the euthanasia of our country’s elderly and disabled citizens. We are also asking that he come immediately to Florida, where Terri has been held captive in a Hospice House for five years so that he can meet her personally and decide for himself if this innocent woman should be put to death by Florida’s out of control judiciary.

###

Contact: Cheryl Ford, RN – Healthcare Advocate
813-695-0870 fight4terri@aol.co
www.fight4terri.blogspot.com

$1 million held in account--Terri Schiavo/Gloria Allred

2005-03-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

Gloria Allred's Law Firm Holds Money In Trust Account
http://www.nbc4.tv/health/4272987/detail.html

LOS ANGELES -- Attorney Gloria Allred said she would hold a news conference with one of her clients Thursday afternoon to make an announcement regarding the case of Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman whose feeding tube is scheduled to be removed on March 18.

Allred said the client is a businessman who has deposited $1 million into her law firm's trust account to offer Schiavo's husband, Michael, if he agrees to certain conditions to keep his comatose wife alive after the feeding tube is scheduled to be removed.

Meanwhile, the state of Florida is moving on two fronts to try to block the March 18 removal of the feeding tube keeping brain-damaged Terri Schiavo alive.

The Department of Children and Families wants to intervene in order to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect by the woman's husband. And in Tallahassee, Republican lawmakers crafted a bill requiring that Schiavo and other incapacitated people be afforded water and nutrition unless a living will directs otherwise.

The husband has a court order to stop her artificial feedings. A DCF attorney told a judge Wednesday that the court cannot impede an agency investigation. But the husband's attorney argued that the agency's last-minute attempt to intervene is politically motivated, especially because dozens of previous complaints to DCF have failed to yield any evidence of abuse.

The attorney told reporters that the agency is simply acting as an arm of Gov. Jeb Bush's office to try to undo a court order they don't like.

The businessperson who, through attorney Gloria Allred, has offered Michael Schiavo a million dollars to walk away will be on Hannity & Colmes tonight, Thursday - March 10, 2005 at 9.00pm ET (GMT-5).

Updates RE: Court Filings

2005-03-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Terri Supporters:
In summary, the following is a synopsis of what has taken place this week and what is remaining on the table for discussion.
3/10/2005 UPDATE: GREER REJECTS ALL...SEE BELOW.
Cheryl

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearwater Court
Monday, March 7: 1:30 p.m.:
Hearing on 10 Motions, including permitting Terri to be fed by mouth should her feeding tube be removed.

Result: Greer Denied 3/8/2005
-------------------------------------------------------

Clearwater Court
Tuesday, March 8: 3 p.m.:
Hearing on medical motions and Karen Ann Quinlan testimony with regard to error made on behalf of Greer and dates of Ms. Quinlan's death.

Result:Greer Rejected 3/9/2005
--------------------------------------------------------

Clearwater Court
Tuesday, March 8: 3 PM
The following neurologists, physicians and other experts in the medical field filed affidavits which said Terri should be retested based on new evaluation and therapeutic technologies that can significantly impact brain damaged and disabled persons.
Dr. Ralph Ankenman, MD
Dr. Pamela Hyikn, SLP
Dr. Beatrice Engstrand, MD
Dr. Jill Joyce, PhD
Dr. Alyse Eytan, MD
Dr. Philip Kennedy, MD, PhD
Dr. Harry Sawyer Goldsmith, MD
Dr. Kyle Lakas, MS, CCC, SLP
Dr. Jacob Green, MD
Dr. Richard Neubauer, MD, PA
Dr. Carolyn Heron, MD
Dr. Ricardo Senno, MD, MS, FAAPMR
Dr. David Hopper, PhD
Dr. Stanley Terman, MD, PhD
Dr. Lawrence Huntoon, MD
Dr. J. Michael Uszler, MD
Dr. Richard Weidman, MD

Result: Greer Rejected hearing all 33 affidavits on 3/9/2005
(Note: only 17 names of the 33 are listed above)
--------------------------------------------------------
Clearwater Court
Wednesday, March 9: 1:30 p.m.
Hearing on DCF intervention and stay

Arguments took place today in George Greer's court.

The DCF has stated by law because they are a state agency which are mandated to investigate abuse and exploitation issues it is their statutory duty have 60 days to conduct an investigation.
In response, Michael Schiavo's attorney argued, as he has many times before, that the matter before the court was little more than a delay tactic.

"This petition, your honor, is odious. It is transparent. It is nothing more than an attempt to modify, without authority, this court's order," George Felos said, reminding Judge George Greer that two higher courts have ruled in favor of removing Terri's feeding tube. "This court simply does not have jurisdiction to interfere with, hinder, delay, the mandate of the 2nd District Court of Appeal."

Note: Felos's argument is not legally based in truth, the 2nd DCA mandate did not give a specific time frame for anything.

Results: 3/10/2005 -- REJECTED-- Greer says NO to DCF

Tampabay: No DCF intervention in Schiavo case

CLEARWATER - A Pinellas-Pasco judge today refused to allow the Department of Children and Families to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case. The decision by Circuit Judge George Greer also means the judge won't consider DCF's request for a 60-day stay of his order that Schiavo's feeding tube can be removed at 1 p.m. on March 18.

The agency had said it received abuse and neglect complaints about Schiavo that it needed time to investigate.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Tallahasee
Capital Builiding
Wednesday March 9, 2005 8:30 AM

House Bill 701

TALLAHASSEE - The bill known as "Florida Starvation and Dehydration of Persons with Disabilities Prevention Act (HB 701) sponsored by Rep. Dennis Baxley was heard this morning in the Health Care Regulation Committee. FRTL lobbyist Robin Hoffman remarked, "We are thrilled the committee voted in favor of this critical bill. This legislation is necessary to protect all Floridians from what Terri Schindler-Schiavo has gone through." It is expected to be heard next week in the Judiciary committee.
HB 701 passed out of committee on a voice vote of 7-4.

Of course, there are typical pro death guardian lawyers who like Deborah Bushnell see this law has hindering their ability to profit by making money over killing those needing a feeding tube. Comments today in Tallahasee were also heard such as:
"I am an attorney who spends all of her practice dealing with end-of-life incapacity guardianship issues. And this bill is a bad, bad, bad bill," Twyla Sketchley said, softly but firmly.

The bill still has to pass through two more House committees, then the House itself, before going to the Senate -- all before the March 18 deadline when Terri's feeding tube is schedules to be removed from her abdomen at 1:00 PM.

The judiciary committee will reconvene until Monday, March 14, 2005 at
3:00 PM at Morgan Hall.

Okay, Let's Talk About Terri Schiavo, Again

2005-03-07T01:21:00.000-08:00

Comments By Cheryl Ford RN:

Please note Jay Wolfson spent approximately one month on Terri's case. He admits to not having any prior involvement's or knowledge about Terri before being selected by the courts to become involved. Wolfson, holding a doctorate in public health, a masters in history and a law degree, is NOT a medical doctor. He therefore, is not licensed to practice or qualified to be rendering opinions about Terri's diagnosis or prognosis. Another error on behalf of the courts in soliciting the medical opinions of lay people and or attorneys.

On December 18, 2003, Governor Bush sent Wolfson interrogatories questioning his GAL (Guardian Ad Litem)report and his credentials. Judge David Demers immediately removed Wolfson off the case.

Also note: Terri does not take kindly to strangers, especially strange men. Her family states she is very intuitive and will not respond to people she is not comfortable with, or doesn't know.

Click here: "Okay, Let's Talk About Terri Schiavo, Again" by J. B. Williams

http://chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=13435
Okay, Let's Talk About Terri Schiavo, Again
Written by J. B. Williams
Monday, March 07, 2005

On February 24, a few days before a Florida judge issued Terri Schiavo a stay of execution until March 18, I wrote for the first time on a subject that I admittedly knew little about in a piece titled Okay… I’ll talk About Terri Schiavo… Once!

As I stated in that piece, I was writing in response to reader mail asking me to take a position on a national debate that I had spent little time researching. Both before and since, I have been inundated with mail from folks on both sides of the debate, most of whom knew little more about the matter. Many of them knew even less than I did.

The purpose of my piece was to first flush out the real facts for my own benefit, second to point out how little people knew about the topic despite their emotionally charged rantings, and last to point out the shortcomings of our judiciary process in such a matter.

I have been called about every name under the sun for appearing not to take a side in that article. Yet I did take a side--the only side I could take: Terri’s side. Not her husband’s side, not her parents' side (though I stated clearly that I related to their position best), not the court’s side as they had failed the family miserably, and not the people’s side, but Terri’s side.

A dear writer friend, Joan Swirsky, wrote probably the best piece I have read on the topic in her article Why Terri (and All Compromised Children) Should Live , in which she so eloquently places the debate on the proper footing.

I have also since received and reviewed the full medical report ordered by the court, issued by Dr. Jay Wolfson, in which he states that Terri is for all practical purposes, unable to sustain life on her own.

Not being a doctor myself, I asked a medical professional in whom I have great trust, to review the file and provide an open unbiased medical opinion of that report, regarding Terri’s current condition only. In short, that opinion states that Terri’s life is only threatened by her inability to swallow food orally, therefore requiring a feeding tube, not life support in traditional terms.

This goes to the heart of one of the statements I made in my first piece. We are not talking about unplugging Terri from artificial life support here, but rather denying her the same nourishment necessary to sustain any of our lives.

Do you have any idea how many people in this country require a feeding tube for one reason or another? Many of them are otherwise very healthy. But being unable to take nourishment orally, is this the factor for deciding who should or should not live now?

Then I have received a mountain of documentation concerning how Terri may have actually entered her current condition, and it appears that certain state agencies in Florida have some 30 pieces of evidence now being entered into the court proceedings, questioning the quality of her husband’s treatment and care of her, before, during, and since her collapse some 14 years ago.

Then there is the issue of husband Michael Schiavo, who has long since attempted to move on with his life, since Terri clearly has already outlived her usefulness in his world.

But as so eloquently stated by Joan Swirsky, later confirmed in medical terms by the physicians I asked to review Terri’s file, Terri’s life still has great value to others in this world, to her parents, and to many of us who believe life in all forms has great value.

In short, the more I learned about this case, the more amazed I became that there even was a case, and that any court would even consider denying Terri simple basic nourishment, for any reason, regardless of her husband’s motives.

It became very clear to me that we are not talking about euthanasia, or assisted death by medical procedure. It became clear that we are not even talking about letting God decide her fate by unplugging her from life support keeping her heart pumping, her lungs breathing, and her kidneys functioning.

We are talking about murder by starvation, plain and simple. Terri’s husband no longer has any use for Terri. She is no longer the young vibrant carefree model he once pledged his life to. He has found another to fill that void in his life and Terri is standing in his way of personal happiness, so in his mind, it is time for her to die.

Meanwhile, Terri’s life remains of great value to those who have loved her since birth, those who never loved her for her outward beauty, her ability to cook and clean, to perform the expected duties of a wife. Those who simply loved her for whom she was, their daughter, their friend, and loved her for whom she still is today in their hearts and minds.

I have now seen enough of the allegations concerning the husband’s questionable behavior throughout this affair. I have seen the medical report ordered by the court, and the review by independent physicians that I trust personally.

This matter could not possibly be any more cut and dried than it is. To remove Terri’s feeding tube is no different than denying a plate of food to millions sitting in nursing homes across this country, just because they are physically unable to pick up a fork or spoon and feed themselves…or they are unable to swallow.

My father has Alzheimer’s and while he remains able to feed himself today, there well may come a day when he is not able to do that anymore. If and when that day comes, I will happily help him to eat. When he no longer knows my name or my face, I will remind him daily. When he is no longer able to manage even restroom visits, I will gladly manage them for him, as he managed mine before I learned to manage them myself.

This is all a part of life--the caring for each other, and for those who represent great value in our lives.

To deny Terri’s parents the chance to care for her on the basis that her husband no longer has a use for her should not be a debate. It should be a crime.

This matter is just that simple. I stand for Terri, who still has great value in this world, and who only requires love and care and basic nourishment to sustain life--all the same things that you and I require. I fear what our society has become if we allow her to be starved to death. Who will be next?

At the end of the day, it seems to me that every life is precious to someone--and it should be that way. We must respect every life, no matter how imperfect, or we will risk respecting none. Some things can be subjective, but the value of life is not one of them!

About the Writer: J. B. Williams notes that he is a business man, husband, father, and a writer. His website is at http://www.jb-williams.com. J. B. receives e-mail at JBW@JB-Williams.com.

Fight4Terri @aol.com

Events/Court Hearings For Terri - Week of March 7th

2005-03-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Terri Supporters:

Please see events and court hearings that are planned in an effort to SAVE TERRI.

March 18th (13 days from now) Terri is scheduled to be starved and dehydrated
at 1:00 PM.

We ask that you PLEASE come to her rescue by attending court hearings/rallies and prayer vigils scheduled in the State of Florida.

We as a civilized society must fight back to what we know is WRONG and will be the murder of an innocent disabled human being.

At my blog site www.fight4terri.blogspot.com please find a list of local accomodations. Terri needs YOU! She NEEDS our Voice to PROTECT her.
Our presence can help to save her life.

NOTE: Please continue to check www.terrisfight.org for any potential last minute changes in court times or dates.

Thank you,
Cheryl

--------------------------------------------------------

Monday, March 7: 1:30 p.m.:
Clearwater Court House
315 Court Street
Clearwater, Fla
Hearing on 10 Motions, including permitting Terri to be fed by mouth should her
feeding tube be removed

Tuesday, March 8: 3:00 p.m.
Clearwater Court House
315 Court Street
Clearwater, Fla
Hearing on medical motions and Karen Ann Quinlan testimony

Wednesday, March 9: 1:30 p.m.
Clearwater Court House
315 Court Street
Clearwater, Fla
Hearing on DCF intervention and stay

Thursday, March 10: 1:30 p.m.:
Clearwater Court House
315 Court Street
Clearwater, Fla
Potential slip-over hearings

Thursday, March 10th
Departing : Altamonte Springs Florida to Tallahassee
FLORIDA RIGHT TO LIFE
378 CenterPoint Circle, Suite 1250
Altamonte Springs FL 32701
407.834.LIFE
Time: Depart 7 a.m. - to return approximately 10 p.m.
Where: To depart from the Florida Right to Life state office (see address above)
Transportation: Vans will be provided based on limited seating; however, individual cars, or other vehicles are also welcome to caravan with us.
Meals: We will stop at the Capitol cafeteria for lunch. On the way back we will stop for dinner along the way. Travelers will be responsible for paying for their own meals.
Cost: No charge but donations are accepted for FRTL lobbying efforts.
For This Particular Event-- Please confirm your attendance by providing your name, address, and phone number(s) by return email frtl@earthlink.net .

Saturday, March 12, 2005
DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2005
TIME: 11am-evening
LOCATION: HOSPICE WOODSIDE
6770 102ND AVE. ,
PINELLAS PARK
11am: ROSARY FOR LIFE
12 noon: Speakers
2 pm : Press conference and speakers
3 pm: CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY
EVENING: PRAYER VIGIL
CONTACT : Jana Carpenter for this event at lifeknight@mindspring.com
727-443-3470 or Eleanor at 941-379-3465

Daily: 10AM -4PM
Peaceful Rally /public sidewalk in Michael Schiavo Neighborhood
Marrie Court and Frisco Rd. (Cul-de-sac)
Clearwater, Florida

From Tom Broderson, Pat Anderson's Husband.

2005-03-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

My name is Tom Brodersen. I am attorney Pat Anderson's office manager,
formerly her fiance, and more recently, her husband. I have personal
knowledge about Terri Schiavo's actual neurological condition and
responsiveness which we could not use before because of Pat's role as
attorney for the Schindler family. That is now changed, and I cannot
sit quietly by and passively observe a miscarriage of justice.

During the period of September to November of 2002 (from just before to
shortly after the medical evidentiary hearing featuring five doctors as
witnesses), I spent time with Terri Schiavo, as a person (briefly) on
her visitors list.

During that time I gently spoke to her, built rapport and trust, sang
to her, played music for her, and encouraged her to vocalize. Over the
twenty days or so that I visited with Terri, I observed that, while
Terri is distrustful of strangers, she gradually warmed up to me (and
not so gradually after Bob, Mary and I sang "Those Were the Days" to
her as a trio!). Terri responds to a variety of stimulii, including
responding to both her mother's and my voices, both in person and over
the phone, by fixing her attention and frequently by laughing. When I
sang to her, she often VOCALIZED, in her best effort to sing along with
me. She recognizes and takes great pleasure in certain singers and
songs which ARE her favorites (most especially John Denver
singing "Country Roads"). She learned to love several songs I sang to
her with which she didn't seem to be familiar with, but others she
never learned to appreciate (just not her cup of tea, obviously). She
responded to gentle requests if given time and patience, such as
lifting her right leg (three times out of four requests, the other time
she lifted her left leg instead). While she does not have consistent
control over her eyes to blink or look this way or that, she has
excellent control over her breathing, diaphram and voice, and will
vocalize
in various patterns if asked. While trying to work out a yes/no system
with sounds, Terri initially answered the question "Terri, are you ten
feet tall" by moaning twice, which is the response for "No," then she
spontaneously whispered the word "No" in response to the question
"Terry,
are you purple?". At that point I abandoned the sounding system and
started
trying to teach her to say "Yeah" as best as she could. Bob Schindler
has several recordings of her sort of saying the word "Yeah" shortly
after that.

Unfortunately, I was then taken off Terri's visitors list, but on
successive occasions (as recently as last October, approximately two
years since I last saw her in person), when her father placed
a phone to Terri's ear so I could talk to her, she laughed as soon
as she heard my voice, andtried to sing along with me when I sang
to her over the phone.

Terri is not just "in there," she is very responsive, she loves music,
and she is my friend. Please don't kill her.

Tom Brodersen

Hotel/Motel Info Near Woodside Hospice

2005-03-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hopefully this will be of help to those wanting to join us
in fighting for Terri who need housing.
Cheryl

0.63 miles away from hospice
On US19 at 102nd Ave that goes west to Hospice/66th St
Wingate Inn
5000 Lake Blvd, Clearwater, FL 727-299-9800
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0.95 miles away from hospice
Just North of 110th Ave cutover to 66th Street
Best Western11333 US 19 N, Clearwater, FL
727-572-4929
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-------------------------------------------------------------------
0.97 miles away
Just south of where US19 crossover 49th ST
Days Inn
9359 US 19N, Pinellas Park, FL
727-577-3838
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2.10 miles away from hospice
Corner of Gandy Blvd and US19
La Quinta Inn
7500 Highway 19 N, Pinellas Park, FL
727-545-5611
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
------------------------------------------------------------------

2.22 miles away from hospice

Just south of intersection at Ulmerton Blvd.
Towneplace Suites
13200 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 727-299-9229
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
--------------------------------------------------------------------

2.24 miles away from hospice
Just south of Ulmerton Blvd
on 49th Street N.
Candlewood
13231 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 727-573-3344
· Free High Speed Internet Access
· Full Kitchens in Suites and Two Separate Phone Lines
Driving Directions, Maps, Web Site, Book a Room
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.30 miles away from hospice
Just west of 49th Street North -- south side Ulmerton
Residence Inn
5050 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL 727-573-4444
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
---------------------------------------------------------------

2.44 miles away from hospice
Little west of 49th Street on Ulmerton Blvd but before US19;
turn north on Icot off Ulmerton Blvd.
Holiday Inn Express Hotels

13625 Icot Blvd, Clearwater, FL 727-536-7275
· Free Breakfast Bar and Local Calls
· Over 1,200 Hotels. Book Online & Receive the Lowest Rate Guaranteed
· To Make A Reservation: 800-236-1465
Driving Directions, Maps, Web Site, Book a Room
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.45 miles away from hospice
South side Ulmerton; just before 66th Street where you turn
to go south to Hospice at 102 nd Ave N.
Intown Suites
6500 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 727-532-4800
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-------------------------------------------------------------------

2.45 miles away from Hospice
Weekly rates too!
1 block from 66th Street
Suburban Lodge
6500 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 727-532-4800
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-------------------------------------------

2.64 miles away from hospice
Next 7 Hotels on Ulmerton between Feathersound
and curve right to SP/Clwtr Airport (Roosevelt blvd)
Lots of restaurants/gas/drug store, etc.
Days Inn St.
Petersburg/Clearwater Airport
3910 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL 727-573-3334
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-----------------------------------------------------------
2.68 miles away from Hospice
Sleep Inn
3939 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL 727-573-5049
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
-------------------------------------------------------------

2.82 miles away from Hospice
Comfort Inn
3580 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL 727-573-1171
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
-----------------------------------------------------------

2.82 miles away
Comfort Inn Executive Center
3580 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL 866-326-6367
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
--------------------------------------------------------

2.84 miles away
Super 8 Motel
13260 34th St N, Clearwater, FL 727-572-8881
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
----------------------------------------------------------

2.85 miles away
Holiday Inn Select Hotels
Holiday Inn Hotels Official Site - Click Here!
3535 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL 727-577-9100
· Kids Eat Free Everyday!
· Book Online and Receive the Lowest Rate Guaranteed
· To Make A Reservation: 800-236-1465
Driving Directions, Maps, Web Site, Book a Room
--------------------------------------------------------

2.85 miles away from hospice
Actual access is Ulmerton Blvd just past Comfort Inn
Hampton Inn
3655 Hospitality Ln, Clearwater, FL 727-577-9200
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
-------------------------------------------------------------

2.93 miles away from Hospice
Just south of Gandy Blvd on corner 62nd Ave/US19
and straight shot up US19 to 102nd Ave crossover
to 66th Street on west a block to Hospice; more of
the old style "motor lodge" of the 50's/60's; lots of rooms.
Mark Charles Motel
6200 US Highway 19 N, Pinellas Park, FL 727-527-5651
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
----------------------------------------------------

2.99 miles away from hospice
On the same "Hotel Row" of Ulmerton by SP/Clwtr Airport
La Quinta Inn
3301 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL 727-572-7222
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-----------------------------------------------------------

3.02 miles away from hospice
Courtyard-St Petersburg Clrwtr
3131 Executive Dr, Clearwater, FL 727-572-8484
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
----------------------------------------------------

3.03 miles away from hospice
This one is brand new, on Roosevelt at light across from
Carillon Complex entrance.
Radisson Hotel
12600 Roosevelt Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 727-572-7800
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...
---------------------------------------------------

3.03 miles away from hospice
Courtyard by Marriott
3131 Executive Dr, Clearwater, FL 727-572-8484
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
--------------------------------------------------------

3.07 miles away from hospice
Extended Stay America
3089 Executive Dr, Clearwater, FL 727-561-9032
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-------------------------------------------------

3.10 miles away from hospice
Fairfield Inn
3211 Executive Dr, Clearwater, FL 727-572-4400
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-------------------------------------------------

3.55 miles away from hospice
Homestead Village Clearwater
2311 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL 727-572-4800
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
-----------------------------------------------

3.55 miles away from hospice
A little further south on US19 from Gandy Blvd; Denny's
Best Western Mirage
5005 34th St N, Saint Petersburg, FL 727-525-1181
Driving Directions, Maps, More...
--------------------------------------------------------------

3.55 miles away from hospice
Same as above.....
Ramada Inn
5005 34th St N, Saint Petersburg, FL 727-525-1181
Driving Directions, Maps, Book a Room, More...

2005-03-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

FLORIDA RIGHT TO LIFE
378 CenterPoint Circle, Suite 1250
Altamonte Springs FL 32701
407.834.LIFE
frtl@earthlink.net
www.frtl.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLORIDA RIGHT TO LIFE INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR A DAY IN TALLAHASSEE TO LOBBY
ON BEHALF OF TERRI-SCHINDLER SCHIAVO

We will travel to Tallahassee, the state Capitol, to lobby our Florida legislators on behalf of Terri.

~ Please join us to show your support for Terri ~

Date: Thursday, March 10th
Time: Depart 7 a.m. - to return approximately 10 p.m.
Where: To depart from the Florida Right to Life state office (see address above)
Transportation: Vans will be provided based on limited seating; however, individual cars, or other vehicles are also welcome to caravan with us.
Meals: We will stop at the Capitol cafeteria for lunch. On the way back we will stop for dinner along the way. Travelers will be responsible for paying for their own meals.
Cost: No charge but donations are accepted for FRTL lobbying efforts.
RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by providing your name, address, and phone number(s) by return email frtl@earthlink.net

Note From Cheryl
If you will not be traveling with the group from Altamonte Springs,
we can all meet up in the Capitol Cafeteria between 11AM and NOON.

Congress Can Act To Save Terri

2005-03-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

Comments From Cheryl Ford:

Please act immediately go to http://www.house.gov/ locate your representative and please write say you want this bill passed immediately. Please! Please! Please!
Do so in a hurry.
March 8th is next Tuesday.
Thank you.

For immediate release: information:
Thursday, March 3, 2005

CONGRESS CAN ACT TO HELP SAVE

TERRI SCHINDLER-SCHIAVO

Washington, D.C. -- The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) is calling on Congress to enact a bill to be introduced by Representative Dave Weldon, M.D. (R-Fl-15) that would give the Schindler family access to a federal court to argue for the life of their daughter, Terri Schindler-Schiavo.

“Congress can act to ensure a federal court hearing on whether or not Terri will die of starvation and dehydration,” said Lori Kehoe, Congressional Liaison for NRLC’s Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics. “A proceeding known as the ‘writ of habeas corpus,’ which is protected by the U.S. Constitution, has been used for centuries to give a hearing to those whose liberty has been constrained by state courts in violation of the Constitution or federal laws. We call on all citizens to immediately contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives and urge them to support Representative Weldon’s bill to amend the Habeas Corpus Act to allow its use when a state court orders denial of food or fluids in cases like Terri’s.”

Representative Weldon has announced that he will introduce the Incapacitated Person’s Legal Protection Act on Tuesday, March 8, 2005.

NRLC is the nation's largest pro-life organization, with 50 state affiliates and approximately 3,000 local affiliates nationwide. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE FEDERAL “TERRI’S LAW” --

THE INCAPACITATED PERSON’S LIFE PROTECTION ACT

What is “habeas corpus”?

“Habeas Corpus” is the Latin name for a special procedure, dating back to England in the Middle Ages, by which a court can review whether someone is being unlawfully deprived of liberty. It was used by English courts long before Parliament gave it statutory form in the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679. Brought over to the American colonies, it was considered such a fundamental source of protection of liberty that it was protected from suspension, except in cases like rebellion or invasion, by the U.S. Constitution.

Under “habeas corpus,” how does a federal court review a state court decision?

When every state court effort has failed, the person denied liberty files a petition in federal district court, which considers whether federally protected rights have been violated and which, in appropriate circumstances, can conduct fact-finding procedures. The losing party in federal district court can appeal to a federal circuit court of appeals. The Supreme Court can choose to hear an appeal from the appellate court.

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Terri’s case. Does that mean lower federal courts can’t do so?

No. When the Supreme Court chooses not to hear a particular appeal, that is not a ruling on the merits and sets no precedent. In fact, most habeas corpus proceedings in federal district court come after the Supreme Court has refused to consider a “direct” appeal from the highest state court.

Isn’t habeas corpus for people who are in jail?

Habeas corpus began as a means for prisoners to get court review of their detention, and the law refers to those who are “in custody.” However, as the U.S. Supreme Court noted in a 1968 case, “[T]he use of habeas corpus has not been restricted to situations in which the applicant is in actual, physical custody. ... [I]n the state courts, as in England, habeas corpus has been widely used by parents disputing over which is the fit and proper person to have custody of their child .... History, usage, and precedent can leave no doubt that, besides physical imprisonment, there are other restraints on a man's liberty, restraints not shared by the public generally, which have been thought sufficient in the English-speaking world to support the issuance of habeas corpus.”

Why does Congress need to act?

Although Terri’s case fits well conceptually with habeas corpus, it is unclear that the current statutes and precedents give her a right to it. Since the Constitution went into effect, Congress has frequently expanded, contracted, and modified both who has a right to habeas corpus and the standards for habeas corpus review. It has the clear constitutional authority to amend the law to make provision for cases like Terri’s.

When a case like Terri’s has been considered by the state courts, why should we add an extra layer of federal court review?

To avoid the danger that an innocent person might be put to death, those whom state courts have convicted of mass murder or other capital crimes have long had the recognized right to federal court habeas corpus review. If we accord that right to someone like John Wayne Gacy or Ted Bundy, shouldn’t we give at least equal protection to someone with a disability, charged with no crime, who is at risk of being starved and dehydrated to death?

Blogger Ad Campaign For Terri

2005-03-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Terri Supporters:

Hundreds of supporters are writing to me everyday asking how they can help Terri.

Here is one way.

BlogsForTerri are the combined efforts of over two hundred bloggers who have come to the front lines in an effort to help save Terri's life. Together they have begun a massive campaign effort to bring national attention to Terri's plight via publications and media.

How so?

BlogsForTerri ( www.bloggerspotforterri.com ) has begun taking out advertisements in major newspapers and magazines. Their legitimate efforts are being generated by the funds collected to run ads in the Tampa Tribune and hopefully next week in USA Today. The funds are being collected by the Brothers of Peace. This campaign effort has been very successful at getting the word out as quickly as possible on behalf of Terri. (see blogsforterri below)

What can you do to help?

Under normal circumstances, you would never receive an email from me asking you to contribute to fund raising efforts. However, considering how time is of the essence and there being only 16 days left before Terri will face the wrath of Michael's efforts to starve and dehydrate her, I ask you to please consider joining this effort which will fund a public awareness campaign.

The Brothers of Peace have established a fund solely to pay for this campaign. Your help is needed to meet this Thursday's deadline which will assure run the ad runs on March 10th, 7 days prior to Terri's tube being pulled. Please See Details Below.

Other things that can help.

Join the Justice Coalition in their efforts to petition Florida officials to protect Terri's life - http://www.justicecoalition.org/petition2.htm

Visit Terri's Fight for updated and action items - www.terrisfight.org

Thank you so much,
Cheryl Ford RN

Fight4Terri@aol.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BlogsForTerri Prepares For USA Today Ad

The BlogsForTerri ad campaign continues....

Having just completed our first fire across the bow of the mainstream media via our BlogsforTerri ad in the Tampa Tribune, we are now preparing to place an ad in the "USA Today" on Friday week. That day has been chosen for both maximum readership and also timing within the narrow window of opportunity to contribute to the growing grassroots campaign at the nation-wide level to save Terri.

Several groups have already expressed an interest in joining with BlogsForTerri by co-sponsoring the ad that is expected to cost almost $20,000. We have already contacted USA Today and are working with the Schindler Media office and others, to prepare the content and layout of the ad. BlogsForTerri expects to be prepared to raise about one-third of the total cost.

Blogs are encouraged to help get the word out. Pledges are requested immediately in order to be prepared for the placement of the ad next Tuesday for the Friday, March 15, just three days before Judge Greer has scheduled Terri's execution to begin.

In related news on the BlogsForTerri campaign to draw attention to Terri's plight, we were interviewed by a journalist with the New York Times over the weekend. Details will be released on the interview by the NYT sometime in the next two weeks when the article is expected to run that weekend in one of their weekend features.

To donate, please follow this link

/2005/02/blogsforterri_a_2.php> .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bishops urged to take action

2005-02-25T11:44:00.000-08:00

Bishops urged to take action, uphold Church teaching in Terri Schiavo case

Washington DC, Feb. 24, 2005 (CNA) - The American Life League is urging Catholics bishops to take up the fight to save Terri Schiavo’s life. The Florida woman, who has been severely physically and mentally disabled for the last 13 years, is being kept alive by tube feedings.

While she remains in hospital and is unable to speak, she has repeatedly responded to stimuli, such as music and her mother’s voice.

However, her husband, Michael Schiavo, has been fighting Terri’s family in court for the right to remove the feeding tubes and effectively have her starve to death. The courts recently ruled in his favor.

“We implore Catholic bishops — and in particular, Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg — to take up Terri's fight in both prayer and action and to uphold Church teaching regarding the dignity of human life,” said Joe Starrs, director of American Life League's Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church.

Citing the Pope’s statements in March 2004, Starrs said: "The Holy Father has made it quite clear that it is our moral obligation to provide food and water to human beings. There is no excuse for the timidity that many in the Catholic hierarchy are displaying in this life-and-death situation."

While a number of U.S. bishops have spoken out strongly in Terri's defense, the response by the Florida Catholic Conference has been minimal.

"The lack of clear, decisive action by Bishop Lynch and far too many of his brother bishops across Florida and across the nation has been more than disappointing," Starrs said in a press release.

"It is shameful that any bishop could find it acceptable to sit by virtually silent while one of the flock is brutally and publicly murdered," said Starrs. "Terri is a human being who deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We must not permit a slow, painful death to be imposed on her."

Terri Schiavo Possibly Abused

2005-02-25T11:10:00.001-08:00

Terri Schiavo Possibly Abused, Florida Agency Wants 60 Days to Investigate
Lifenews.com ^ | February 24, 2005 | Steve Ertelt

Posted on 02/24/2005 4:15:22 PM PST by FreepinforTerri

Terri Schiavo Possibly Abused, Florida Agency Wants 60 Days to Investigate by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor February 24, 2005

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A Florida agency wants 60 days to conduct an investigation into new allegations that Terri Schiavo was abused or mistreated.

The Florida Department of Children & Families does not name a person responsible for the abuses, though Terri's estranged husband Michael has been accused of abusing her before her collapse 15 years ago.

The agency filed an 11 page document with Circuit Court Judge George Greer detailing why it wants to intervene in the case and shared the confidential document with attorneys for both Michael and Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler.

Judge Greer is expected to rule tomorrow on whether to extend the stay preventing Michael from starving Terri to death while Terri's parents pursue appeals in legal motions intended to stop the starvation.

Greer could also rule tomorrow on the agency's request for a two month delay.

Matt Davis, an attorney with the Gibbs law firm, handling legal matters for the Schindlers, told the Associated Press that the document brings up many of the concerns previously brought forward by the Schindlers.

"We are confident when someone from the outside does see how Terri has been treated, they will see she has been mistreated all these years," Davis said.

Davis indicates the DCF document does not name anyone responsible for the abuse and does not say the allegations are substantiated -- only that the agency needs time to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Michael has denied abusing Terri, even though a bone scan conducted in September 1991 shows evidence of trauma and possible physical abuse.

George Felos, the euthanasia advocate who is Michael's lead attorney, says the investigation is another attempt by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to get involved in the case when Florida courts have told him he can't.

The Schindlers have been unable to get officials to investigate the abuse contention seriously before.

In 2003, Pinellas State Attorney Bernie McCabe looked into the matter but said the statute of limitations had run out on investigating the bone scan and that it was too old to be used.

"They have no doubt that once a legitimate review is done, the things they have been saying all along will be found to be true," Davis said.

In a statement on their web site, the Schindlers say they welcome the involvement of the DCF "in their investigation into serious and detailed allegations of abuse and to ensure that appropriate care and treatment of Terri and patients like her is being delivered."

Terri Goes Goo~Goo Eyes Over Attorney Gibbs

2005-02-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

Terri goes Goo~Goo eyes over Attorney Gibbs
By, Cheryl Ford RN
February 25, 2005

Last night at hospice Terri's father, Robert Schindler and Attorney Gibbs visited with Terri. Mr. Schindler was the first to enter Terri's room, approaching Terri on her right. As always, Terri was delighted to see her Dad until Mr. Schindler announced that Mr. Gibbs was with him.

Mr. Gibbs moved closer to Terri's left greeting her with, "Hello Terri."
Terri, hearing Mr. Gibb's deep voice immediately turned to her left to look at him. Terri's Dad stated that once she eyed Mr. Gibbs that was the end of his visit with her because she was no longer interested in anything he had to say to her..."she was goo-goo eyes over Attorney Gibbs."

Mr. Schindler then exclaimed, "Terri, Terri, look at me. I've come here to see you as well and now you cannot take your eyes off of Attorney Gibbs, what am I chopped liver?" Terri responded with laughter to her father's comment but her eyes remained focused on Mr. Gibbs.

Bob said..."Well, Cheryl that's the last time I will be taking Mr. Gibbs along with me since my daughter did not hear anything I had to say once he had her attention."

Please Support Terri Rally/Vigils Scheduled

2005-02-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

Today, February 25, 2005
3:00 PM --7:00 PM
Woodside Hospice
6774 102nd Avenue N. (near 66th Street N and 102nd Avenue N)
Pinellas Park, Florida.

At 3:00 PM today, meet with Father Tom Euteneuer, President of Human Life International

**** ****** ****
Saturday, February 26, 2005
10 AM - 4 PM

The neighborhood of Michael Schiavo's & Jodi Centonze's home,
protestors will gather at the corner of Marrie Court and Frisco Drive.

*** This protest will feature students from Ava Maria College***

**** ************* ****

Daily Vigil held every evening
Woodside Hospice
5:00-7:00 PM Daily
6774 102nd Avenue N. (near 66th Street N and 102nd Avenue N)
Pinellas Park, Florida.

Confusion About Terri's Web Address

2005-02-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Terri,

As of late, there appears to be much confusion on the internet with regard to Terri's actual Foundation address.
For donations and or correspondence, Terri's foundation is located at:

Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation
4615 Gulf Blvd #104-103
St Petersburg Beach, FL 33706

Email address: www.terrisfight.org

Thank you,
Cheryl Ford RN
Fight4Terri@aol.com

Florida Right To Life

2005-02-18T04:41:00.000-08:00

FLORIDA RIGHT TO LIFE
378 CenterPoint Circle, Suite 1250
Altamonte Springs FL 32804
407.834.5433 phone
407.834.5432 fax
frtl@earthlink.net
www.frtl.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The family of Terri Schiavo has filed a number of items this week to the courts. These can be found on www.terrisfight.org under 'court documents'. Here now are the motions with direct links to the supporting PDF documents:

Schindlers file Motion to Stay Mandate with 2nd DCA
(Papal Appeal - February 15, 2005)
http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/MtntoStayMandate-2ndDCA.pdf
Schindlers file new Motion for Stay with Judge Greer
(Guardianship - February 15, 2005)
http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/1.540b4motiontostay-2nd.pdf

Schindlers submit Notice of Deposition of Michael Schiavo
(Regards their petition to remove Michael Schiavo as Guardian - February 15, 2005)
http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/NoticeofDepo-Schiavo.pdf

Schindlers file Subpoena for the Deposition of Jodi Centozone
(Guardianship - February 15, 2005)
http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/SubpoenaCentozone.pdf