Terri Schiavo's belated vindication: Kevin McCullough on autopsy details ignored by the media

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, June 17, 2005 | Kevin McCullough

[JohnHuang2]

Friday, June 17, 2005

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Terri Schiavo's belated vindication

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Posted: June 17, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Kevin McCullough

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© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

For those who loved her, the release of the official autopsy of Terri Schindler Schiavo, brought little comfort, but significant vindication.

Of course, as was all too predictable, the mainstream press completely misrepresented the findings, sided with the adulterer formerly known as her husband, and proclaimed shame upon Terri's family.

Mitch Stacy wrote for the Associated Press:

All along, Michael Schiavo said his brain-damaged wife's situation was hopeless – that she had zero chance of emerging from her persistent vegetative state.

On Wednesday, the autopsy backed him up.

Medical examiners determined that Terri Schiavo suffered irreversible brain damage and even blindness, and they found no evidence she was strangled or otherwise abused before she collapsed ...

The meme that Stacy continued to spout throughout the day on Thursday was in perfect lockstep with George Felos, the attorney who represented Michael Schiavo, as he systematically sought permission from judges in Florida to put his wife to death legally.

George Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo, said the findings back up their contentions, made ''for years and years,'' that Terri Schiavo had no hope of recovery. He said Michael Schiavo plans to release autopsy photos of her shrunken brain.

''Mr. Schiavo has received so much criticism throughout this case that I'm certain there's a part of him that was pleased to hear these results and the hard science behind them,'' Felos said.

The sad part of all of this early spin-doctoring did very little to bring clarity to the picture of what really happened with Terri, and her potential outcome could be.

Terri's family released their own findings from observation of the official autopsy results. None of which were even acknowledged by the mainstream press, much less refuted successfully by George Felos and Michael Schiavo.

The family maintained:

1. The report confirmed her condition and disability. (It did not make the claim that Terri was terminal or in any way in danger of becoming terminal.) The report confirmed that Terri was brain damaged and not brain dead, it also indicated Terri could have lived another 10 years or longer with basic care.

2. The autopsy did not reveal anything regarding "Terri's choice" to be dehydrated to death.

3. The autopsy made it clear that dehydration was Terri's cause of death and not her brain injuries.

4. The autopsy confirmed that Terri's heart was strong and working well.

5. The autopsy ruled out bulimia and massive heart attack as the cause for Terri's injury. (It did nothing to account for the 70-minute gap from when Terri originally collapsed and when Michael originally called for help.)

6. With bulimia ruled out, according to the autopsy results, the case for Michael's malpractice suit has been completely undermined. (The parents believe that Michael should return the monies won on this claim.)

7. The autopsy showed that Terri's struggle to swallow was not from a permanent vegetative state, but from muscle atrophy. (Of course, being denied 12 years of therapy might have had something to do with that atrophy.

8. The autopsy showed that persistent vegetative state is a clinical diagnosis made on a living individual and a medical examiner can not make this determination by examining a corpse.

9. The autopsy stated that Terri was given morphine for pain. This ran in contrast to the claims that Mr. Felos made consistently that Terri would experience no pain or discomfort.

So what did happen the night of Terri's collapse? Should Michael be sued by the doctors who took the hit for malpractice based the faulty bulimia claim? Will he ever even allow Terri's family to know where her ashes are buried?

It was sad to see the liberals in society cheer on a husband who had a court-sanctioned death wish for his lawfully wedded wife.

It is sadder still to see – even in the loss and blow to the family who truly loved Terri until the end – the arrogance of those who got their way in the matter have to gloat like spoiled children.

The press continuing to spout the Michael Schiavo line in the matter has only confirmed the worst of what they have come to represent.

This Godless age is frightening. We have lost respect for all that is true, good and just. And now those who seek injustice get championed by the voices that should be defending the downtrodden and outcast.

Even in death, Terri's story of injustice screams with injustice. The question is: Will anybody be listening?

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Kevin McCullough is heard daily from 1 to 4 p.m. EST in New York City on AM 570 WMCA, and in New Jersey on AM 970 WWDJ. Additionally, you can read his daily postings at The KMC Blog. For information on how to bring "The Kevin McCullough Show" to a station near you, call Dave Armstrong at 201-298-5700.

[Sunshine Sister]

Ping for a later read.

[Donald Meaker]

My understanding is that Terri had several years of therapy. She was non-responsive.

Because of the muscle atrophy, she couldn't have swallowed even if people had given her water.

50 percent brain loss is less than what turned Brady from a Republican into a moonbat.

[MplsSteve]

A well-put column...especially after you read the Minneapolis Star/Tribune's (aka The Red Star) op/ed on the Schiavo case:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/5461836.html

Here's a hint: The op/ed is entitled "Revisiting Schiavo/The Only Issue Was Privacy". That should tell you all you need to know about how the Red Star feels about this issue.

[BigBobber]

The autopsy stated that Terri was given morphine for pain. This ran in contrast to the claims that Mr. Felos made consistently that Terri would experience no pain or discomfort.

Worth repeating. The death monkeys lie.

[Halls]

Ping for myself

[SevenMinusOne]

Continuously unbelievable how bias the MSM is - Never do they even attempt to report all the facts - They simply have a position and spin to blur the facts -

[candeee]

Your understanding is way off. They even had a Terri Schiavo Day because she was doing so well with her therapy.

[justshutupandtakeit]

More grasping at straws.

[abigailsmybaby]

It's my understanding that she had none or minimal therapy and that the money the insurance coughed up to her loving husband for therapy was spent elsewhere.

I know there are many on FR that can tell us which is correct. Are any of you around?

Thanks in advance.

[XenaLee]

Your understanding is incorrect. Terri only received what minimal care Michael thought was necessary in order to get his hands on the malpractice settlement money. Once he got the money, she was no longer 'allowed' to have the therapy that the settlement money was FOR. Also, several nurses testified via sworn affidavit that they had FED Terri and she swallowed just fine....until Michael found out she was being fed. He immediately put a stop to it and moved Terri to a more cooperative (with him) facility, which had a very unethical connection to his POS attorney, Felos. Can you say.....conflict of interest???

In short, your ""understanding"" sucks.

Have a nice day.

[True Republican Patriot]

Yes, the HINO spent more than $600,000 of the rehab moneuy on "Legal Fees" to have Terri killed by the court order that
she not be allowed any nourishment nor any fluids or water.

[Eva]

I believe that she was receiving therapy up until the settlement was reached, at which time all therapy ceased and Terry's condition began to deteriorate further. She was swallowing and even speaking a little, I believe. I could be wrong on that, though.

[chaosagent]

bookmark

[Ann Archy]

I see you are new around here. Your "facts" aren't correct.

[Saundra Duffy]

Amen and amen!!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Ping.

[Gondring]

Continuously unbelievable how bias the MSM is - Never do they even attempt to report all the facts - They simply have a position and spin to blur the facts -

EXACTLY! (If you consider Newsmax and Terribots as MSM.)

The New York Post reported that Mrs. Schiavo had been given "doses" of morphine. Felos said the same. This isn't news. Newsmax reported them as morphine "injections"...(Terri Given Morphine to 'Ease Convulsions'):

Doctors say that Terri Schiavo was injected with morphine to "ease convulsions" they expected her to suffer as she starves to death.

"Schiavo received two small doses of the opiate since the feeding tube was removed - not for pain, but to ease convulsions," the New York Post reported Tuesday, citing "medical experts" familiar with the case.

Michael Schiavo's attorney George Felos said Terri had been given two 5-milligram doses of morphine, one on March 19 and again on Saturday.

Turns out that Felos was the one telling the truth...she was given morphine, but not injections...they were 5 mg suppositories on 3/19 and 3/26...in line with what Felos was saying.

Now we have World Nut Daily ("All the News We Could Make Up to Print!"), implying that the morphine is news! Well, Newsmax reported it on March 29, 2005, at 9:44 am. And the point is, WND implies a fallacious conclusion...since the morphine was NOT for pain...it was for specific times when she had convulsions. In fact, the autopsy revealed that opiates were NOT detected in her blood.

I apologize for feeling the need to bring facts into this and not try to revive the hysTerria. </sarc>

(Personally, I would rather that we be allowed to receive larger doses of morphine to allow active deliverance if we end up in Mrs. Schiavo's condition...but that's another issue.) And...IANAP.

[MizSterious]

Terri ping.

[Gondring]

She was not swallowing. Swallowing tests were administered and failed...and then repeated to confirm. Three times. they tested her. She aspirated with one, even.

The therapy didn't stop immediately after the award, but after Mr. Schiavo had given up hope of recovery, based on physicians' advice.

[Gondring]

Terri only received what minimal care Michael thought was necessary in order to get his hands on the malpractice settlement money.

That's ridiculous and doesn't fit the evidence. Implanted electrodes and several-month trips across the country for experimental treatment attempts are not "minimal care"...

Oops...I forgot to post a "Spoiler" warning above this post that contains facts, not just wild accusations.

[a real Texan]

It is nice to see that everyone here is for social medicine after all. This woman had a brain that was only half the mass of a normally functioning brain. This is a fact that everyone has agreed on. Bill Frist himself stood up and said he agreed with the autopsy reports.

[MizSterious]

So if you fall and break, oh, let's say a hip...or maybe it renders you quadraplegic...should we all just put you down? Terri's parents loved her, and would have cared for her themselves. Why does that bother you?

[citizencon]

Terri Schiavo was an angel. If she were an imprisoned criminal or "insurgent" , she would have had the support and defense of the MSM and the liberals.

[Smartaleck]

They probably didn't report that the coroner and the lab people found no morphine in her system?

Observation: Using WND to debate a lefty or Dem makes you look like a fool. They do, from time to time have some info, but for the most part they look silly and have no credibility. Thoughts?

[Gondring]

Absent a crime, they are right.

...though I'm sure you knew Mrs. Schiavo better than her husband did, and you know that she'd rather have decisions taken out of her spouse's hands. But just how do you propose to convince others of that?

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Ping.

[workerbee]

Hey there, newbie. Not that you actually care, but your understanding of this case is seemingly based on Felos' talking points. Whatever. You can pride yourself that one less "vegetable" clutters the earth. You can be happy that a perfectly healthy body was brutally forced to die through dehyrdation and starvation, at the behest of a faithless spouse, a death cult lawyer, and a perverse blind-to-all-but-his-own-notions judge.

[Smartaleck]

"It's my understanding that she had none or minimal therapy and that the money the insurance coughed up to her loving husband for therapy was spent elsewhere."

She was flown to CA and the electrodes implanted are referred to in the autopsy so it can't be said there was none. Define mimimal?

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"The autopsy showed that persistent vegetative state is a clinical diagnosis made on a living individual and a medical examiner can not make this determination by examining a corpse."

No way of knowing from an autopsy. Thank you for posting this. FRegards....

[ValerieUSA]

So what?
Terri was disabled, permanently. Theres are tens of thousands of permanently disabled people in this country being cared for by families or institutions.
Is it wrong that they are being cared for?
Should the courts order all of them put to death?
Is it the perogative of the head of each family to decide whether or not the disabled members should live or die?

[Smartaleck]

"Yes, the HINO spent more than $600,000 of the rehab moneuy on "Legal Fees" to have Terri killed"

Of course the corollary is he HAD to spend the moneuy(sic) on legal defense due to suits brought by his inlaws?

[workerbee]

I would rather that we be allowed to receive larger doses of morphine to allow active deliverance if we end up in Mrs. Schiavo's condition...

Active deliverance? Awww, that sounds so pretty. Like "selective reduction".

C'mon everybody, let's see how many nice fuzzy phrases we can come up with for "enforced dehyrdation and starvation of a helpless woman."

[Smartaleck]

"I see you are new around here. Your "facts" aren't correct."

Wouldn't it be more helpful to everyone to explain rather than just say "you're wrong" (paraphrasing)?

[Dante3]

And Terri was killed in such a barbaric way.

[Smartaleck]

"The autopsy showed that persistent vegetative state is a clinical diagnosis made on a living individual and a medical examiner can not make this determination by examining a corpse."
No way of knowing from an autopsy. Thank you for posting this. FRegards...."

Conversely, if the coroner sees no legs, it's a pretty safe bet for the coroner to deduce that the corpse couldn't walk without help?

[Melas]

Never inject facts into a Terri thread. They've never been welcome, they're not welcome now, and they'll never be welcome. Just wait until the International Terri Church of Holiness (ITCH) gains more power. You'll be tried with heresy.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

So the coronor could determine whether she was in a PVS?

[verity]

LOL

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Should Michael be sued by the doctors who took the hit for malpractice based the faulty bulimia claim?

This is an extremely valid question. If an attorney even gets a sniff of being able to prevail on such a question, the papers will be filed very quickly.

[TheDon]

Of course, her autopsy results are only relevant to those who think it is moral to starve/dehydrate to death the disabled.

[Mark was here]

2. The autopsy did not reveal anything regarding "Terri's choice" to be dehydrated to death.

Well I must say this is a most significant finding, I am positive that most people expect autopsies to reveal the thoughts and wishes of the deceased, and this failed to do so.

They are probably keeping her true wishes concealed as part of the whitewash of what really happened.

[Saundra Duffy]

Another bump for Terri's memory.

[Gondring]

Observation: Using WND to debate a lefty or Dem makes you look like a fool. They do, from time to time have some info, but for the most part they look silly and have no credibility. Thoughts?

I agree wholeheartedly... They can sometimes provide "early warning" that has to be checked, since they have no qualms about misrepresenting information (I discovered that embarrassing fact after seeing it firsthand). Rarely, though, they bring something important to my attention...even a broken clock is right once a day (I use military time ;-).

[Gondring]

Exactly. That tattoo she had etched on her hyoid bone that read, "in the event I am unable to speak for myself, I wish to have all medical decisions made by people whom I've never met (...as long as they call me by my first name...), rather than my husband!" was covered up in the autopsy! Can't trust the ME, for sure!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/20/102601.shtml

Sunday, March 20, 2005 10:19 a.m. EST

Nurse: Terri Can Eat Normally

A certified nursing assistant who cared for Terri Schiavo in 1997 filed a sworn affidavit in the case stating that she was able to feed Schiavo normally on multiple occasions - but that husband Michael Schiavo would allow only a feeding tube.

Heidi Law, a CNA at the Palm Gardens nursing home, testified:

"At least three times during any shift where I took care of Terri, I made sure to give Terri a wet washcloth filled with ice chips, to keep her mouth moistened. I personally saw her swallow the ice water and never saw her gag.

"[Another CNA] and I frequently put orange juice or apple juice in her washcloth to give her something nice to taste, which made her happy. On three or four occasions I personally fed Terri small mouthfuls of Jello, which she was able to swallow and enjoyed immensely."

Law testified that the only reason she didn't attempt to feed Ms. Schiavo more frequently was "because I was so afraid of being caught by Michael."

Editorializing on the case in light of Law's account, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette said Sunday, "It is one thing to withdraw a feeding tube; another entirely to withhold that day's meal tray."

Carla Sauer Iyer was a registered nurse at the same facility. In her own affidavit Iyer testified that Ms. Schiavo was capable of speech, explaining, "[Terri] spoke on a regular basis, saying such things as 'Mommy' and 'help me.'"

When she put a washcloth in Terri's hands to keep her fingers from curling together, Iyer said, "Michael saw it and made me take it out, saying that was therapy" that he had forbidden.

"Throughout my time at Palm Gardens, Michael Schiavo was focused on Terri's death," the RN noted. "Michael would say 'When is she going to die?' 'Has she died yet?' and 'When is that bxtch gonna die?'"

[driftless]

You're postulating an argument that the spouse always knows best. What if one spouse wants to kill the other for whatever reason? That does happen as you well know. I'm not saying that Michael Schiavo was trying to kill his spouse, but only that without explicit written documentation (absent in this case), no ones fate should be entrusted solely to the decisions of their spouse. If watching American Justice, City Confidential, or Cold Case Files has taught us anything it is that money can make otherwise decent people do evil things.

[Cboldt]

C'mon everybody, let's see how many nice fuzzy phrases we can come up with for "enforced dehyrdation and starvation of a helpless woman."

IIRC, the preferred (and actual) phrase is "natural death," or "death by natural causes."

[Eva]

I think that I remember reading that she was improving and that she was even speaking a few words. Swallowing can be retaught with the help of a speech therapist. I know because I've seen it happen.

Also, I find it peculiar that a doctor would advise termination of therapy immediately after Shiavo won a court battle to provide for the therapy. Did he change doctors? Did the doctor change his mind? How could that be?

[Donald Meaker]

Not new. Been here for years.

And yes, I read widely. Don't drink anyone's koolaide.