New Guardian Urged for Terri Schiavo, More Evaluation of Her Condition Needed

LifeNews.com ^ | December 2, 2003 | Steven Ertelt

[nickcarraway]

Tallahassee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- An independent guardian appointed for Terri Schiavo told Governor Jeb Bush Tuesday that she deserves a permanent guardian other than her estranged husband Michael. He also claimed Terri is in a permanent vegetative state, but added that she should be re-evaluated by experts.

Under Terri's Law passed by the state legislature, an independent guardian was authorized to provide Governor Bush with recommendations about Terri's situation.

On October 31, Chief Pinellas-Pasco Chief Judge David Demers appointed Dr. Jay Wolfson, a professor of health and law at Stetson University in Florida, as Terri's guardian ad litem, despite the suggestion of bias from Terri's family.

Wolfson submitted a lengthy thirty-page report to Bush on Tuesday.

According to a source familiar with the report, Wolfson describes Terri as being in a persistent vegetative state. However, numerous doctors say otherwise and videos made by Terri's parents show her responding to doctors and her family.

Dr. William Hammesfahr, a neurologist from Clearwater, where Terri was hospitalized, is a recognized national expert on PVS and is a Nobel prize nominee. He says Terri's eyes clearly fixate on her family and she tries to follow the simple commands her parents give her.

"She looks at you, she can follow commands," Hammesfahr said.

Wolfson says Terri should be granted a permanent guardian other than Michael Schiavo. Among other concerns, Terri's family says has denied her appropriate medical and rehabilitative care he was obligated to provide from a medical malpractice award he received.

Wolfson also said medical experts should be brought in to evaluate Terri's cognitive function and her rehabilitative abilities.

Following the passage of Terri's Law, Wolfson told WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida: "If this law stands the constitutional test of the courts, then it certainly implies the executive of our state has the prerogative of injecting the state into your life, or your family member's life."

Pat Anderson, the family's attorney, later told LifeNews.com that they met with Wolfson and were "very hopeful he can get his work done in the thirty days given to him."

Related web sites:

Terri's family - http://www.terrisfight.org

[msmagoo]

Agree with you, my thoughts exactly!!

I am so happy for Terri's family today! Wolfson's comments prior to his evaluation of Terri strongly suggest he does not agree with the 'facts' in the case record, as they pertain to her condition. I think he believes HINO has neglected his duties as guardian, focusing on ending her life and not allowing the rehabilition she deserves as part of the malpractice suit. A big win for Terri today!

MS will not be pleased! Only a matter of time before his abusive control over her life is pulled away, I hope. Book him!

[CindyDawg]

What a birthday present :')

[Sabatier]

Good summary of the issues at hand.

[Calpernia]

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that one charged with determining Terri's best interests, has stated that someone other than her husband should be her guardian. I pray that You would add heavenly weight to these words as they come before the judge, for there, O God, have the hopes of Terri's family been set aside again and again.

Bring to her those qualified to look upon her physical condition .. may she so relate to a genuine desire to help that she will evidence all ~ and more ~ that her beloved family sees in her responses. Encourage her heart as the tempo of the legal arena increases .. stay the hand of those who would block any and all attempts to provide help to this mother's child. Hasten the day, Creator God, when all those touched by Terri's fight may, as one, bow before You in praise and thanksgiving for Your protection of one of the least of these, our brethren. Complete this family's circle with the return of this dear child, I pray.

Strengthen Terri's dear parents, and her brother and sister, for they must be so physically spent. Renew the zeal of her legal team and encourage each one who has had any part in this attempt to halt the march of the merchants of death. Thank You for the 40th birthday of Terri Schindler Schiavo ... may it mark the beginning of a year that celebrates her life ... in the Name of Jesus, and for His Sake, I pray, Amen ...

[msmagoo]

I meant to say: Wolfson's comments before evaluating her suggested he felt Terri's Law was intrusive...now, after evaluating her, he says MS should be removed as her guardian and Terri's condition should be should be reevaluated by experts. Meaning I think that he agrees with the need for Terri's Law!

[msmagoo]

Amen!

[pollywog]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!!!!!

[pollywog]

I had thought that Wolfson would side firmly with Schiavo-Felos, as he had indicated his opposition to Terri's Law at the outset.

I too feared this T.R. However I believe without a doubt that God is working on softening some hearts to truth.!! Maybe, JUST MAYBE Wolfson is one of them!!

[countrydummy]

Alright! Great news!

[pollywog]

We humbly thank you God for this miracle you are working before our very eyes. I am humbled at the thought of our Lord listening to prayers of us lowly humans in the hopes of saving one poor soul. We are blessed and I thank God that he finds us worthy to answer our prayers and help Terri

A hearty AMEN!!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[LADY J]

Amen.

[Micavaga]

AMEN!!!

[pollywog]

He also claimed Terri is in a permanent vegetative state,

Boy, will that upset the "all Terri, all the time" crowd here at FR.

but added that she should be re-evaluated by experts.

You forgot this line!!!!!!!!!!

[pollywog]

Love this beautiful patriotic display!!!!

[angelwings49]

This is fantastic news!! What a great birthday present for Terri!!!

[FR_addict]

Any other news source carrying this story yet?

[keri]

:0))

Bttt (very good news)

[Gelato]

Dr. William Hammesfahr, a neurologist from Clearwater, where Terri was hospitalized, is a recognized national expert on PVS and is a Nobel prize nominee. He says Terri's eyes clearly fixate on her family and she tries to follow the simple commands her parents give her. "She looks at you, she can follow commands," Hammesfahr said.

MICHAEL SCHIAVO: Terri is in a chronic, persistent vegetative state.

LARRY KING: Meaning she has...

SCHIAVO: She has no awareness, no consciousness.

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0310/27/lkl.00.html

No unconscious "vegetable" could follow commands. Michael's lies are getting exposed.