The Schiavo issue

[alphabassettgrrl]

Someone asked how can a husband look for her death if he's acting in a loving manner?

My husband would do the same thing as Michael Shiavo is- hold out for as long as is reasonable to hope for recovery, and if recovery is impossible, then to make sure I die. He'd probably be just as demonized for it, but he knows what I want.

"Netherlands (apparently) no longer need consent for assisted suicide" -

Ok that's a problem. The person *must* consent. My biggest fear is that I will wind up with something debilitating, and be unable to say that I want out.

"It took Michael S. seven years to 'remember' she didn't want to live like this."

I'm sure it took some time to come to terms with the probability that she will never recover. You don't exactly want to say, ok she's been in a coma for a week, that's it, give her a big tube of morphine.

I think the whole thing is creepy and horrible from any angle. My heart goes out to you who've had to deal with this stuff in your own families. I worked in a couple of nursing homes, and it's hard even when the family *is* in agreement. I can't imagine if the family is fighting amongst themselves. There's a lot of denial going on, and that's hard to watch, but what can you do if someone refuses to face reality? Ouch.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

You view every situation from the experiences you have in life.

And with all due respect, my friend, those experiences can also cloud your judgement. You mentioned many times in this thread that Michael was the only one who stated that she wished to not be kept alive. That just isn't true though. At least 4 other people, including her best friend and close family members said the same thing. You see him as having alterior motives and being creepy but not once was any of that proven in the 20 plus courtroom battles. There was ample time for this to be proven and each time the accusations were found to be without merit. Isn't it possible that just maybe, this guy just wants to carry out the wishes of his wife.

I really can't fault him for finding someone else to share his life with either. At some point, you do have the right to move on. That doesn't mean you have to relinquish your rights in the process. I can't imagine that Terry would have wanted her husband to not move forward. She has been gone for almost 20 years. This isn't an "in sickness and in health" situation to me. Terry isn't sick, she is long gone. Her husband has done everything in his power to respect her wishes and for that, he is demonized. I'll tell you this, if I was in her position, I would want my spouse to move on and find happiness AND I would want him to ensure that my wishes were carried out to the letter. There is no reason why he can't do both.

I do understand that this situation hits very close to home to you and I'm sorry for that. It just seems that you have your mind made up that this guy is evil and from everything I have read about this case, I see no evidence to back that up, other than a few people who are making unsubstantiated claims.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

It's been 16 years. She can't eat, that's been confirmed by doctor after doctor after doctor.

And, doctor after doctor after doctor have also claimed that she CAN feel pain and is aware of her surroundings and can interact. And, there are doctors who have denied that. The human brain is so complex that no one will ever know exactly where full "awareness" and "thought" come from. That's one thing all the doctors can agree on.

Something happened to me as a child where I went into a "non-responsive" state. To this day, I can recall in great detail what was going on around me, things that were said, etc. even though none of that detail was ever told to me by my parents. And, I remember wanting to respond, but my body wouldn't. I remember being taken to the hospital where I could feel the prick of an IV needle and the pain associated, yet couldn't cry out. All I did was stare "off into space". 5 days later, after many tests, I was released with an "inconclusive diagnosis". I only regained "full awareness and responsiveness" once I awoke the next morning, after having been knocked out with drugs. My parents are utterly amazed that I can recount word for word their actions and statements up to that point. And still, no one knows what happened. But, damn, I know what I experienced, and that can't be argued.

Sorry, but I'm too convinced that Terri is quite aware of what's happening to her right now. And, I don't give a crap what "evidence" or "scientific" blabber is thrown at me.

I go off of my heart and hunch on this one, and that woman is very much alive. But, not for long, apparently.

Also, if her husband was so concerned about her, then he would have waited until she passed before having another woman and children. At least, if marriage meant anything to him. He would have stayed with Terri, and only Terri, through the end. And, he obviously didn't support her enough to seek help for her bulemia before it caused this in the first place (wow, there's a supportive spouse - ick).

As for going with my heart and hunch on this one, I'm entitled to do so without explanation, and besides - I do believe in miracles. One just might have happened if she was offered food and/or water at this point, but it's not "allowed".

[Ghoulish Delight]

Of course you're entitled, however, I'm entitled to point out that VERY few doctors contradict what the several court-appointed as well as personal doctors have concluded. Those that do are on the fringe of their profession, and have little to back up their claim. You want support? No one who has 1) lost blood flow to the brain as long as Terri did and 2) remained unresponsive for more than a few months has ever been known to subsequently regain responsiveness. This isn't a psychological anomoly, a large and vital portion of her brain has been destroyed. It's simply not there.

But all of that is beside the point. The point is, she said she did not want to be kept alive if she was in a state where she was a burden and she had no hope for recovery.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

And with all due respect, my friend, those experiences can also cloud your judgement.

I do understand that this situation hits very close to home to you and I'm sorry for that. It just seems that you have your mind made up that this guy is evil

There is a fine line between influencing and clouding.

I have said I have no proof of it. However, as it does hit close to home, I am perfectly open to that he is not "evil" (your word, not mine), but have stated my opinion as every one else here has.

If you'll note, I have also stated several times in this thread that I have no problem with her dying - just that someone needs to do it rather than forcing her to die slowly of dehydration and making those close to her - her parents, in particular - watch and endure it. That is inhumane and cannot be characterized as anything else.

I will choose to believe the personal accounts that I choose to believe. You can choose to believe others. Odds are we will choose to believe those accounts that are more closely related to our own positions.

One question - why is it that Michael Schiavo has refused to allow newer technology to be used to test her - such as PET and CAT scans or MRIs? A curiosity.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

why is it that Michael Schiavo has refused to allow newer technology to be used to test her - such as PET and CAT scans or MRIs? A curiosity.

Oh, I'm betting because of the money involved..... which he's also claimed he'll donate to charity upon its receipt. If anything, I guess we'll see quite soon if he upholds that promise.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

Oh, I'm betting because of the money involved..... which he's also claimed he'll donate to charity upon its receipt. If anything, I guess we'll see quite soon if he upholds that promise.

A claim that continues to make no sense considering the millions he's refused over the years.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

A claim that continues to make no sense considering the millions he's refused over the years.

Unless I am mistaken, there has been only one offer to him to take money and walk away, and that was recent. I am open to that I may not be aware of the others.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Unless I am mistaken, there has been only one offer to him to take money and walk away, and that was recent. I am open to that I may not be aware of the others.

Precisely why I rely on my hunches.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Unless I am mistaken, there has been only one offer to him to take money and walk away, and that was recent. I am open to that I may not be aware of the others.

Here ya go

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...-schiavo_x.htm

Other such offers, including one for $10 million, had already been made and rejected by Michael Schiavo, said his attorney, George Felos

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

And, he obviously didn't support her enough to seek help for her bulemia before it caused this in the first place (wow, there's a supportive spouse - ick).

I don't know that he did try, how do you know he didn't?

You can't force someone into treatment for their eating disorder. Well you can but it won't be effective. They have to want to change and want to stop it. So even if he did try it doesn't mean it worked.