In the Netherlands where as much as 92% of people approve of euthanasia Dutch laws are crystal clear that euthanasia IS NOT allowed without the consent of the person to be killed. The Dutch wishing to die must “consistently, repeatedly and lucidly” make requests for euthanasia and then are required to express these wishes to an independently chosen doctor who must concur. Even with these precautions in place it is still possible that doctors could falsely claim patients requested euthanasia. If such concerns seem far-fetched, it is worth noting that the Journal of the American Medical Association, in consultation with Dutch physicians, found that “no request for death was made by the patient” in a very large number of so-called euthanasia cases in Holland between 1990 and 1995. In 1999 the Dutch government decided not to allow children as young as 12 to request euthanasia against their parents’ wishes.

Many people adjust to their disability and dependency and find meaning and value in new activities and ways. Christopher Reeve did. He felt that accomplishments he made after he was disabled were more important and valuable to him and of more benefit overall to society than anything he had ever done before. He was profoundly happy to be alive and live all the days of his life adjusting to living life in a different way.

Watch Terri’s videos. No one that has seen the videos can deny that Terri is purposefully alive and not become uncomfortable with the very THOUGHT of killing her. Watch the videos and ask yourself: could you do it? Could you walk into her room and kill her? Could you starve her to death?

Terri is our Helen of Troy. Helen was rescued from a cruel and powerful husband by a man who truly loved her. For that, an entire kingdom fought and sacrificed much to protect her because that was the right thing to do, and not only that but because to not do so was wrong. Terri is OUR hope. The hope is that we can learn to love each other as we are loved. The hope that we are blessed with wise and understanding hearts that allow us, that compel us, to stand for what’s right, not who’s right. It’s really not just about Terri’s life, it’s also about ours. This is a defining moment for all of us.

Many people, commenting on this tragic story, say “That is no way to live.” Well, no longer receiving food and drink and being unable to beg us not to stop is no way to die.– Jack Bray

This is the 38 page report created by Dr. Jay Wolfson who was her guardian as a result of Governor Bush’s Terri’s Law. This report is the one the governor called for. It provides Terri’s entire health history, court testimony and the opinions of the neurologists and neurosurgeons. Terri Schiavo’s cerebral cortex has been replaced by spinal fluid. That alone renders her PVS.

The report found that Michael Schiavo was an attentive and loving husband to Terri. He was relentless with nursing home staff and created a scene if any part of Terri’s care was amiss. Terri’s parents signed over guardianship to Michael – that’s how much they knew he loved her and was caring for her.

The most disturbing aspect of the Schindler’s behavior has been that they stated, in court testimony, that even if Terri had expressed wishes of not wanting to be artificially nurished in her present circumstances, they still would not allow the tube’s removal. Additionally, they testified that they would keep her alive “at any and all costs,” even if that meant to amputate her limbs.

With parents like those, who needs enemies?

Whatever your personal views, it doesn’t change the medical, scientific fact that Terri Schiavo is PVS with no hope of recovery.

Contrary to the misinformation you are putting forth on your website: Terris IS IN A PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE.
She kept “alive” via a feeding tube, which does count as being “life-support” since it is supporting her.
I suggest you get your information from her PHYSICIANS instead of some mis-informed, under-educated person with some strange agenda.

It is important that we go on record making this bona fide offer.

Unlike abortion, this is a one time affair. I am in for $100.

–Paul

I have followed the Schiavo case, as have many.

Yes, Terri Schiavo is not “brain dead”. Brain death=death. When a person is declared “brain dead” they are also, simultaneously declared dead. Coma Depasse was the original meaningful clinical description of the state were there is no brain activity (and today, we know that brain death, there is also no blood flow to the brain). There is no way to maintain life in the presence of brain death, this includes, but is not limited to ventilation and feeding, hence the description of “beyond coma” (from the French).

And no, Terri Schiavo is not in a coma.

“This woman seems to be aware of her surroundings, but even if she isn’t, her eyes are open and she makes facial gestures. The point that can’t be missed is that Terri is alive.”

Yes, of course Terri Schiavo is alive. There are no claims being made to the contrary.

Which leads to the question as to whether or not Terri Schiavo is indeed, as her doctors and other medical experts have claimed, is in a persitent vegetative state.

My undertanding of reading what is available on this sad and unfortunate case, is that although multiple experts have testified that she is, her parents and others claim she is not.

The court’s decision rests chiefly, but not exclusively, on the accuracy of the diagnosis.

The issues of “substituted judgement” and have, I believe, been correctly addressed in your post.

Certainly her anguished parents have suffered greatly, and I offer them my prayers of support.

As someone who has attended to many score or more patients like Terri Schiavo, I suggest that unless you know with certainty, the medical facts of her condition, that you exercise due caution in endorsing any claim as being “true” at the exlcusion of another, counterfactual claim.

On the other hand, if your opposition to the cessation of feeding Terri Schiavo is the same for all patients, and for any reason, the facts of this case would not then matter.

When a person is unable to consent for themselves, consent is given in a succession of closest relatives, or a ward if none are available.

This order is deteremined by state law. I believe all 50 states recognize the legal right of a spouse as superceding those of a parent of sibling.

Jason Begalke