In Memory of
Terri Schindler Schiavo
December 3, 1963 to March 31, 2005
December 3, 1963 to March 31, 2005
She was a child of Philadelphia, a child of the 1970s. Raised in a four-bedroom colonial house in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her younger brother Bobby and sister Suzanne. Her father, Bob Schindler, sold industrial equipment while mother, Mary, stayed home and raised her family.
They vacationed along Florida's Gulf Coast and the New Jersey shore. And every Sunday, they went to Mass.
There's a good chance you knew someone a lot like Teresa Marie Schindler ... the quiet, giggly Catholic schoolgirl who battled weight, wore glasses and loved David Cassidy, Starsky & Hutch, Wham and John Denver. She also loved animals (real and stuffed), Danielle Steele novels, going to the mall and eating junk food.
In 1984, shortly before her 21st birthday and having lost over 50 pounds, she married Michael Schiavo, the first man she ever dated. They honeymooned at Disney World. She continued to lose weight, she dyed her hair and began wearing contact lenses. She seemed like a different person. When Terri's parents moved to Florida shortly after her wedding, Terri & Michael soon followed them.
In 1990, Terri collapsed at her home from heart failure. Without oxygen for nearly six minutes, she was left with brain damage. And the once shy girl was soon seen everywhere. On front pages of newspapers, on the Internet, on every news network on TV, where a videotape of Terri with her mother was played over and over again.
Fifteen years after her collapse, Terri became the symbol for a national debate about life and death, with husband Michael demanding that her feeding tube be removed (allowing Terri to die of starvation and dehydration) and her family, the Schindlers, repeatedly lobbying Gov. Jeb Bush (who in 2003 signed "Terri's Law", which allowed doctors to reinsert the feeding tube despite a judge's ruling that it be removed).
Perhaps the one unanswered question in the Terri Schiavo case will forever be why any husband would be so intent on "keeping a promise made to Terri" so long ago (Michael's claim that Terri never wanted to be kept alive) when he couldn't even remain faithful to the promises made to her in their marriage vows ... "forsaking all others" for as long as they BOTH lived (Michael moved in with his lover five years after Terri fell ill, and they now have two children together from this illegal, adultrous relationship). This clearly defines Michael's priorities in demanding Terri's death.
The fight over her life and death played out Easter week 2005 as Congress passed emergency legislation. President George W. Bush signed it in the middle of the night. There were protestors, prayer services, the angry and the empassioned. The Vatican sided with Terri. The Supreme Court refused to do so.
Life and death decisions and the Right to Life are always with us. But with Terri Schiavo, we have a face to put on all the "laws" and arguements. She will forever remain the silent spokesperson for all that the arguements encompass. My prayer is that she continues to inspire all of us to get involved in this issue about the RIGHT TO LIFE.
And most of all, let's hope that we will especially remember her whenever we step into a voting booth and cast our ballots on exactly WHO will be elected to hear these cases in our Courts and State Houses. Maybe Terri's family, in the years to come, will provide a list of Right-to-Life candidates ... sort of their very own "Schindler's List".
There have been several misconceptions that were circulated
throughout the media in the case of Terri Schindler-Schiavo.
The following information will hopefully dispell some of these myths.
MYTH Terri was in a coma or comatose-like state.
REALITY None of Terri's doctors maintained that she was in a coma. Some doctors believed that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state while others disagreed and believed that she was minimally conscious. Most Americans have seen footage of Terri interacting with her mother by now and it is hard to ignore the way in which she appears to light up at the sound of her mother's voice.
Important note: The definition of PVS in Florida Statue 765.101 is "Persistent vegetative state means a permanent and irreversible condition of unconsciousness in which there is:
(a) The absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of ANY kind.
(b) An inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the
environment.
MYTH Terri was on life support. Terri required machines to live.
REALITY
To state that Terri was on life support or that she required machines to live implies that Terri was dependent upon what has traditionally been considered life support, such as a ventilator, heart machine, or kidney dialysis.
Terri was a healthy woman with a disability and she was NOT hooked up to any machines, as has been widely reported. She breathed on her own and merely received nutrition and hydration through a feeding tube, much the same as a baby is sustained by the nutrition he or she receives through a bottle.
MYTH
Terri's parents refused to let her go and allow her to die.
REALITY
Terri was not terminally ill, she was a healthy woman with a disability. To induce someone's death by denying him or her nutrition and hydration is an act of starvation. Terri's parents asked Michael Schiavo to step down as her legal guardian and allow them to care for their daughter, he refused.
MYTH
Terri's case was a right-to-die case.
REALITY
This claim is disputed. Terri's parents and siblings say that she did not want to be starved to death and asked the courts to allow them to care for her.
MYTH
Death by starvation and dehydration is painless.
REALITY
Florida law does not allow a dog to be subject to death by starvation, so why was Terri, a human being, sentenced to death?
In Wesley J. Smith's book, Forced Exit, St. Louis neurologist William Burke said:
A conscious person would feel [dehydration] just as you or I would. They will go into seizures. Their skin cracks, their tongue cracks, their lips crack. They may have nosebleeds because of the drying of the mucous membranes, and heaving and vomiting might ensue because of the drying out of the stomach lining. They feel the pangs of hunger and thirst. Imagine going one day without a glass of water! Death by dehydration takes ten to fourteen days. It is an extremely agonizing death.
(The above information by Megan Dillon, Director of Media Relations,
National Right to Life)
Choose Life
"... we must be wary of those who are too willing to end the lives of the elderly and the ill. If we ever decide that a poor quality of life justifies ending that life, we have taken a step down a slippery slope that places all of us in danger. There is a difference between allowing nature to take its course and actively assisting death. The call for euthanasia surfaces in our society periodically, as it is doing now under the guise of "death with dignity" or assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a concept, it seems to me, that is in direct conflict with a religious and ethical tradition in which the human race is presented with "a blessing and a curse, life and death," and we are instructed ... therefore, to choose life." I believe 'euthanasia' lies outside the commonly held life-centered values of the West and cannot be allowed without incurring great social and personal tragedy. This is not merely an intellectual conundrum. This issue involves actual human beings at risk..." -- C. Everett Koop, M.D. *
*taken from the book KOOP, The Memoirs of America's Family Doctor by C. Everett Koop, M.D., Random House, 1991.
Dobson Laments Terri Schiavo's Death
Ministry founder charges judges with
"cold-blooded extermination" of disabled woman
"cold-blooded extermination" of disabled woman
Focus on the Family Chairman Dr. James C. Dobson issued the following statement today after learning of the death of Terri Schiavo:
"Today is a tragic day for the Schindler family -- and, indeed, for the entire human family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Schindlers, who have been made to watch their beloved daughter and sister waste away for the last two weeks -- under not only the approval of the courts, but under their direct order.
"Every Florida and federal judge who failed to act to spare this precious woman from the torment she was forced to endure is guilty not only of judicial malfeasance -- but of the cold-blooded, cold-hearted extermination of an innocent human life. Terri Schiavo has been executed, under the guise of law and 'mercy,' for being guilty of nothing more than the inability to speak for herself.
"I grieve for the Schindlers today, and I fear for the future of our nation."
Micheal Schiavo, husband of Terri Schiavo, the woman who was denied food & water until she died of dehydration, made the statement that this was a family decision and that Terri had told him that if something were to ever happen to her, she would NOT want to be kept on any type of "life-support system".
First of all, Terri was NOT on any type of life-support system, despite claims by her husband Micheal or Terri's medical staff. To refuse ANY human being of food or water would result in death.
Second, why should we or ANY court system trust the word of any person, based on a here-say statement. Here-say testimony in any court case is insufficient evidence to prove anything and usually not even permitted in a court of law. And even IF Micheal DID have proof that Terri wouldn't want to be kept alive by any type of life-support, it is totally different from saying: "Micheal, if anything happens to me, please starve me to death!" The two are NOT the same, therefore not interchangable.
Then there is the overwhelming evidence from other doctors, tapes, video's etc. that show without a doubt to any human being with a clear conscience that Terri Schiavo showed many signs that she was NOT brain-dead, nor that she was in a vegetative state. Yet Terri's own husband at some point in time chose to change from helping Terri stay alive to pushing his agenda to see her life terminated. Futhermore, several doctor's think Terri could have been rehabilitated over time. Unfortunately, Micheal stopped Terri from receiving correct therapy once he had Terri admitted to a Hospice facility. And Micheal's motive for that was "WHAT?"
If this wasn't bad enough, Micheal deliberately refused Terri's family the rights any family member should be allowed during a critial time like this. Especially at the last few minutes of Terri's life. How insensitive, mean and cruel!
Despite the battle to save Terri's life, the ultimate war was lost at the hands of our very own court system. One day, these elected and appointed officials WILL have to give an acount to God Almighty! Regardless of the personal beliefs of Micheal and our judicial/legislative leaders, God IS recording every moment of every day in each person's life. To play "God" ourselves is a VERY serious thing in the eyes of the one true God of all creation!
Throughout history, man/woman have had the choice of "Free will" ... to do what was right in the sight of God, or to rebell against Him and do what "they" want to do. God's word is Truth, and those who disregard it's laws will reap what they sow, either here or in eternity.
According to the Bible, I believe we are living in the last days before Christ's return, because there are many signs pointing to this truth. Obviously, Terri had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and is no longer suffering, but is home with the Lord.
I personally have no doubt that God was pleased with all those who loved Terri, and came to her defense in thought and through prayers. Jesus said: "I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly", but "Satan" (the devil) has come to only steal, kill and destroy"! So the question I ask you today is ... whose side were YOU on in Terri's case? You don't have to be a Christian or a religious person to make right choices in life, but the choices you make everyday will effect you and the lives around you for all eternity.
Terri's gone now, but what about the countless others who will be facing the same struggle as Terri did? What stand will you take for them: Life or death! If you haven't noticed lately, take a moment to look around you at all the death, violence and immorality that's being pumped into and onto our society on a daily bases. Especially targeted toward our children! And if you say you don't see it, YOU ARE BLIND! Along with this issue are issues of life on a worldwide scale ... Abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, to name a few. When will human beings wakeup to the reality that there's a REAL Devil (Satan) in this world, and his agenda is to kill and destroy human lives however he can! He is NOT the image of a "red suited guy holding a pitchfork!" He is REAL, and he is influencing everybody he can to do his evil work here on earth, along with all the other evil spirits under his command. This powerful fallen angel called Satan is a subtle creature, who disquises himself (most times) as an angel of light (or good angel), but secretly has throughout history set out to destroy humanity, one life at a time, and to turn mankind against God by open rebellion.
Pastor Steve
New Jerusalem Ministries
Below are some very good links to websites concerning some of the issues facing our elderly, sick and dying. Plus a link to the Terri Schindler/Schiavo Foundation.
The song on this page is I Want to Live by Terri's favorite musical artist, John Denver. As you read the words, you will see how the song could have been written for Terri herself.
On a scorched and barren plain
There are children raised beneath a golden sun
There are children of the water
Children of the sand
And they cry out through the universe
Their voices raised as one.
I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live
Have you gazed out on the ocean
Seen the breaching of a whale?
Have you watched the dolphins frolic in the foam?
Have you heard the song the humpback hears 500 miles away
Telling tales of ancient history of passages and home?
I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live
For the worker and the warrior the lover and the liar
For the native and the wanderer in kind
For the maker and the user and the mother and her son
I am looking for my family and all of you are mine
We are standing all together
Face to face and arm in arm
We are standing on the threshold of a dream
No more hunger, no more killing
No more wasting life away
It is simply an idea
And I know its time has come
I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live