<p>People all over this country and all over the world let people go, let them die, follow their wishes, remove tubes all the time, do you want that taken away? I would be interested to hear the people saying that no matter what, the body must be left alive, even if the brain is gone…have you made plans, do you want your family living with you in a PVS for years and years with no hope…</p>
<p>No, I don’t want that taken away, but in this case, there is no evidence to support that this is what Terri wanted, and there seems to be a ton of evidence to support that the husband is a dispicable and cretinous excuse of a human being, and as such should be permitted no voice in this.</p>
<p>Here is a description of the Coma rating scales. <a href=“http://www.braininjury.com/recovery.html[/url]”>http://www.braininjury.com/recovery.html</a>
I believe Terri Schiavo is a Ranchos Level II. From what I have read, Terri has significant ventricular dilitation, which means that as her cerebral cortex has atrophied (“shrivelled up” as it were), the ventricles in which her CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) circulates in her brain (or, in this case in her skull and what is left of her brain) have enlarged. This is what is meant by the “spinal fluid in her brain”.</p>
<p>The whole situation is very tragic, but the fact that it has been played out in the court of public opinion is, to me, the most tragic part of all.
The decision to allow palliative care and discontinuation of “treatment” is a very carefully orchestrated one. I went through this when the decision was finally made to disconnect my mother’s respirator. That was awful enough, and I do not wish that experience on anyone. I cannot imagine having to have to deal with those painful, private, personal decisions in a public forum. That part (the public airing of all this)is, as I said, the biggest tragedy. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Talking about the parents, their daughter had an eating disorder…yet, do you see them saying to young girls, don’t do that, it could really be helpful, yet they are hiding that information as best they can…that would be a wonderful thing to do…show the harmful effects of an eating disorder. </p>
<p>As for the husband, did we hear much from him before the parents were all over the news? So Micheal isn’t perfect, her parents aren’t either.</p>
<p>Read the articles…see what professionals have to say…</p>
<p>If the parents really cared about human life, they would admit she had an eating disorder, and share the damage that was done, that would show they do care…</p>
<p>Yes, it is inhumane. I just saw video of a smiling Terri with blinking eyes. Although she can’t speak, she makes eye contact. She needs to have an evaluation in a hospital. I just can’t believe people want her to die; she’s not hurting anybody.</p>
<p>Citygirlsmom-
You are correct-- it would be great if this tragedy could be used as an opportunity to address the effects of eating disorders. Imagine if Karen Carpenter had “survived” her EDS-induced heart attack, or if Mary Kate Olsen had had a heart attack from her EDS and ended up like this. Perhaps we would look at the situation differently. Perhaps not. </p>
<p>I try to put myself in Terri Schiavo’s parents shoes. It is horrible to lose a child, but it seems to me that they haven’t accepted that that happened, in their case, 15 years ago. When they see her primitive reflexes respond to light or sound, it is hard not to hope that it might mean she has some volitional control. It is hard to accept that it is purely reflexive. Hope is a tough thing to let go of, but there is a fine line between its being helpful and destructive.</p>
<p>Would you want to live like that? I know I wouldn’t.</p>
<p>Word on the street is that Michael needs for her to die, at a minimum needs to prevent any care, because if she ever recovers (however unlikely that seems) to the extent that she is able to offer testimony of her account of the events of the evening she had a so-called “heart attack”, the facts will come out that her husband actually caused her current condition - either through direct assault or some other method, either in a single action or over a period of time. </p>
<p>There is no evidence to support that she ever had any eating disorder and her family has publically stated that she did not have any eating disorder. But even if she did have such a disorder, that changes nothing about her husband’s terrible behavior over the years.</p>
<p>If Michael had nothing to hide, then he would be greatful for the “public forum”, because if his position were valid and legitimate, then the majority would surely side with him. Perhaps he fears eventual attempted murder charges?</p>
<p>The videos are not reflective of what is really going on…read what the judges had to say…she is not functioning in any way…its amazing what people will believe because its on TV…</p>
<p>My big problem isn’t that she shouldn’t die it’s that I don’t think her husband should be making this decision. Too many things just don’t add up. I think she needs to be moved to a hospital and given the care she needs. Then the courts can evaluate her case, and all evidence saying that she wouldn’t want to live like this. If the courts decision is that she should die then it should be done in a better way where she can go quickly. I don’t believe courts should get involved in things like this everyday, but in this case where it seems like everyone is running their own agenda, someone from the outside needs to come in. I know she will never recover fully, but she needs to see a doctor where they can look at all her options. It seems that everyone on this board is just running on all diff. information. There is probably a lot we still don’t know. I just hope that however she dies, she wont have to suffer anymore.</p>
<p>Spanks - what you or I might “want” isn’t the issue here. </p>
<p>The issue becomes what did - does - Terri want? There is no evidence to support what Michael claims Terri said she wanted. Worse, he did not assert those claims until long after he snagged a lot of cash from the malpractice suit. Then and only then it became “oh and by the way she said X”. </p>
<p>In the absence of such evidence, and since his motives are suspect, who do you think should decide? And who decides where the lines are drawn?</p>
<p>Worth the read:</p>
<p><a href=“http://majikthise.typepad.com/majik...king_lies_.html[/url]”>http://majikthise.typepad.com/majik...king_lies_.html</a></p>
<p>well, her parents are allowing her to suffer, and letting her die in piece is not the same as killing her</p>
<p>It depends on the situation…I sure as hell wouldn’t want my life in the hands of my family…but in this case, it sounds like her husband is a total dirtbag and her parents should decide…however, no one will ever know the entire situation and I’m sure moral justice won’t be served, because it usually isn’t, since the courts only care about legal justice.</p>
<p>I surrender, while I have read all I can from what I consider unbiased reports, it is difficult to speak about something that none of us know all the facts about… </p>
<p>getting snippets from the news, seeing manipulated video, having “experts” on both sides getting press, policitians with their own agendas, and the scariest thing is the political fallout that is going to occur</p>
<p>What have I learned, to tell EVERYONE of my wishes and put it in writing…when families are in turmoil, awful things can happen…even with both sides think they have the best intentions</p>
<p>I just wish it would be over, and that we don’t lose our options for oursevles in the aftermath</p>
<p>Citygirlsmom, your link doesn’t work, but in any case it doesn’t matter as I’m completely polarized in my position.</p>
<p>Spanks, at one point in one of the courts somewhere her parents tried to get an impartial, independent gardian appointed for her, but this disgusting excuse of a man and husband blocked this too. His position should be completely discounted; he is living with and has children with another woman. Wow, how impressive is his commitment to his marriage vows. Fair enough - I do totally get that life must go on, but this alone should be grounds for termination of his authority over Terri’s life. And no one knows where the money went that he won in the malpractice suit - except that it sure didn’t go to care for Terri. Presumably he spent it on lawyers to try to hurry up and kill her.</p>
<p>To be fair, the parents aren’t the most enduring figures either, but, at least they’re fighting for a legitimate chance in favor of life. </p>
<p>No justice will ever be served here no matter what, but if a magic want could be waived, I would decree that law enforcement investigate this creepy man and see just what crimes he should be charged with, and I would also designate a permanent legal guardian to see about Terri’s care and eventual viability.</p>
<p>I don’t know what should happen next. It’s easy enough for the groupd of us to say “I wouldn’t wanna ‘live’ like that”, but, how do any of us really know, especially as we all sit here perfectly healthy and active and breathing, and with no concept of what “like that” means?</p>
<p><a href=“http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2005/03/debunking_lies_.html[/url]”>http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2005/03/debunking_lies_.html</a></p>
<p>unfortunately, it seems like telling those around us our wishes about staying alive in an unconscious state is going to become standard procedure…</p>
<p>citygirls mom post #35–most eloquent and rational.
Thank you.</p>
<p>Citygirlsmom, it isn’t that I believe that Terri will get up and walk around in about a week - she won’t. It isn’t that I think the videos tell the tale - they don’t. It isn’t that I’m impressed with the parents - I’m not, and their television appearances are off the mark. </p>
<p>It’s the idea that a person can collaspe in their own home, with no reasonable medical explanation, with only the husband in the house, and then his well documented neglectful, abusive, and strange behavior forever after. </p>
<p>Does he strike you as a grieving husband, struggling with a difficult decision? Because he strikes me as a guy who is trying to take out the trash, but unexpectedly finds his way to the dumpster obstructed.</p>