True. But why would they be recalled any sooner. For what purpose? It wasn't until Michael requested the court to determine Terri's wishes that it was necessary to recall Terri's statements.
The only reason I can see to allow any statements at all that are not recorded in a tangible authenticable medium is that exigent circumstances may arise wherein such recording is not feasible. Requiring that any oral statements be tangibly recorded and dated at the earliest opportunity helps considerably in establishing their credibility.
Suppose, for example, that one of Michael's siblings had written Terri's wishes on a sheet of paper at the time she made them, folded it up, self-addressed it for post-office pickup, stamped it, and took it to the post office for a postmark. Assuming that the postmark, paper, and ink all checked out, there would have been a lot less controversy about Terri's "wishes". Although it would be plausible that Michael and his relatives could have invented the 'wishes' in 1997 since they had a clear craven motive to do so, it would be far less clear why any of them would invent such wishes in 1988.
Further, even if one assumes people are honest, people's memories aren't perfect. A person's recollection of what someone else said a decade ago is often apt to be inaccurate even if the person truthfully says what they remember. If people's memories weren't imperfect, why would they ever take notes of anything?
But why would I write down some comment my friend made to me about some medical show we're watching? Who does that? Especially the post office thing. (But isn't hindsight great? It makes us look so smart and organized.)
And what about this: In January, 1989, Michael writes down that Terri (with a $10 million life insurance policy) would wish to die. In April, 1989, Scott writes down the same. In June, so does Joan.
In January of 1990, Terri becomes brain damaged, cause unknown.
Since it's in writing though, you're comfortable with "pulling the plug" and authorizing the $10 mil, huh?
Excuse me, but you'd be screaming to high heaven. Worse than you are now!