Terri Schindler-Schiavo, who was 26 at the time of the incident, was hospitalized. For 13 long years, she has remained bed-ridden. Her husband Michael Schiavo was appointed her legal guardian and began making all of the decisions and determinations on behalf of Terri.
However, it became clear to Terri's family — along with the nurses and others who worked at the facility where Terri was staying — that Michael did not have the best interest of Terri in mind. It began to become more clear that he wanted Terri dead.
Those who cared for Terri said that since her brain was damaged, she would have to relearn to do many things that she could formally do. One of the things she would have to learn again, was how to eat. In the meantime, she was hooked up to a tube and given nutrition and water that way.
With the proper therapy, Terri might be able to learn how to talk again, walk again, eat again, and perhaps even lead a somewhat normal life. Who knows the potential that could be realized by this woman, if she could just have therapy.
But her husband — living with his fiancee' of 7 years, having had one child from the adulterous relationship and is expecting another — refused to allow Terri to be rehabilitated with physical therapy. Instead, he has fought in the courts to have Terri's life line — the tube through which the water and nutrients, needed to sustain her — removed.
The money with which he has waged his war of death, has been cash won in a malpractice lawsuit that he filed "on Terri's behalf." What's left of that waning fortune would be all his, if Terri would just die.
On February 11, 2000, he got is wish granted. Judge George W. Greer sentenced Terri to death by ruling in favor of Michael Schiavo. This past Wednesday, Terri's feeding tube was removed.
The clock is now ticking on Terri. She now faces a slow, agonizing death of starvation and dehydration, as her family — at wits end — desparately tries everything they can do save her.
And it will be a lonely death for Terri. Her husband, through his attorneys, have cut off visitation rights to her parents. They are not even allowed to be at her bedside while she lays dying. They are not even allowed to say goodbye to their daughter.
Terri does not want to die. Yet the court ruling prohibits feeding her even by mouth, if she is able to eat by mouth.
As attorney and author, Wesley Smith, noted on the nationally-syndicated radio broadcast, Coast to Coast AM with George Noory, "This is not a 'right to die' case, this is a 'no right to live case.'"
Terri is a woman who wants to live, but the courts — by virtue of the fact that she is handicapped — has sentenced her, against her will, to die.
And Judge George Greer, violated Florida law, when he ruled in this case. Now it is up to Governor Bush to enforce the law, as he is obligated under the Florida Constitution. Terri needs as many people as possible to phone Governor Bush to tell him to enforce the law. When I tried to call, they told me he didn't have the authority to overrule a court's decision. However, that is a lie because he has the authority and obligation to ensure that the laws of the state are enforced — even to the extent that he can bring in the militia, if necessary.
Terri's only hope for survival is if as many people as possible contact the Governor, and the other authorities in the state to tell them to uphold the law, and re-hook Terri's feeding tube. But it must be done immediately. Without water, Terri will not live much longer.
Imagine if you were in Terri's place. Would you want someone to come to your aid?
There is much more to Terri's story. Learn her plight, and about the fight that her family has been engaged in for over a decade. Then, pick up the phone and make the calls. God will reward you for having compassion upon the sick and helpless.
To learn more about Terri and her situation, the family maintains a website with current news, background information, and videos of Terri proving she is not in a vegitative state, as the media and the courts have said.
You can get to her site at www.terrisfight.org.
Jackie Patru and I have been working on getting relevant information up at www.sweetliberty.org. We have a list of phone numbers that you can call posted here.
Please get informed. And please do something to help save Terri's life.
"For I was hungry, and you gave me meat.
I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink.
I was a stranger, and ye took me in.
Naked, and ye clothed me.
I was sick, and ye visited me.
I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ...
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these
my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
— Jesus (Matthew 25:35-46)
Take action today.
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