Jeb Bush supports therapy for brain-damaged Florida woman; feeding tube removal set Oct. 15

AP Wire (breaking story) | October 7, 2003 | VICKIE CHACHERE

[NYer]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Gov. Jeb Bush is arguing that a brain-damaged woman should be provided therapy despite a state judge's order to remove the feeding tube that has been keeping her alive.

In documents made public Tuesday, lawyers representing the governor argued that Terri Schiavo is entitled to therapy aimed at helping her swallow to determine if she can eat and drink on her own.

The brief, filed late Monday, argues that state law recognizes the persistent vegetative state Schiavo is in as different from having a terminal illness. ``Terri's right to life is violated by the state when the state, acting as her guardian, assumes that her wish to live without artificial sustenance is the same as her wish not to be fed at all,'' the governor's brief said. ``The fact that she is unable to give herself nourishment is not a symptom of a dying body. It is the result of severe injury and disability.''

The 39-year-old woman has been at the center of a long legal battle between her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, and her husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo. She suffered severe brain damage following a heart attack in 1990. The parents want her kept alive; her husband says she never wanted to be kept alive artificially. A hearing is scheduled Friday.

George Felos, a lawyer representing Michael Schiavo, contends there is no provision in the court rules for Bush's brief and said he will file a motion to strike it from the record. ``I think it's a very poor precedent, and it's an unfortunate use of his authority by the governor trying to intervene in this case ... gives the impression that he is trying to put political pressure on the judiciary, and I think that's wrong.''

Pat Anderson, the lawyer representing the Schindlers, declined to comment on the filing. Court-appointed doctors have testified that Terri Schiavo's brain damage is so severe she cannot be rehabilitated. Her feeding tube is set to be removed Oct. 15.

The governor's filing in the Schiavo case is an opinion, not a formal intervention seeking to replace Michael Schiavo as his wife's guardian. Earlier this year, Bush had unsuccessfully tried to intervene in another case, asking an Orlando court to appoint a guardian for the fetus of a disabled rape victim.

On the Net: Terri Schiavo's parents: http://www.terrisfight.org/

AP-ES-10-07-03 1502EDT

[sfRummygirl]

No! Thanks for the ping!

[Ohioan from Florida]

Sorry...thought you'd already been pinged, but I guess that was a different Terri thread. Has anyone heard from Kimmie lately? I haven't seen her around much lately. Hope she's ok and just lurking out there.

It is funny how sometimes our thoughts go so in line with each other's. My kids are finding it a little bit amusing that their Mom has "met" people who think like she does!

[Hildy]

OOOHHHH...must be so exciting to feel so far superior. We disagree about what life is. Deal with it.

[Pegita]

You're right, phenn ... Governor Bush is responding to everyone ... just received my e-mail of thanks, and I'm in Pennsylvania ...

[Ohioan from Florida]

I see you have a new tagline.

[fly_so_free]

Impressive document. Well detailed. Way to go Jeb!

The cartoon about the Catholic Church is all too true unfortunately. I am Catholic, I'm pretty sure it is Church teaching that a person can't be denied food and water, either orally or through a G-Tube- (it would violate Church teachings about the Sanctity of Life ) Come to think of it, Terri is Catholic too isn't she? (If so, her husbands claim that she doesn't want to be fed is even more suspicious/doubtful IMHO Also, why can't they get a different Judge in this case, or file in a different Court district))

Anyway, I don't know why the Church in Florida is silent about Terri. Then again I don't understand ALOT of things the Church does and doesn't do these days.

- Thank you Jeb- God Bless.

[pc93]

Terri is dead and her parents are sick. The fight is over money not whether she is alive. Do you know how many appeals this has been through. The parents are sick. Get a "Living Will.
----

You are more than seriously confused.

[pc93]

Oh boy...you're in for an attack now. Of course, what you say makes sense, but the pro-life people here are going to beat you silly!
----

Bring it on, you are misinformed or deliberately ignorant.

[pc93]

Good for you but Terri's so-called husband is trying to murder Terri. Different situation wouldn't you think. Study the facts.

[pc93]

There is always a way out of ignorance. Study the facts of the case.

[pc93]

Thanks Phenn. Good points.

[palmer]

some 6 years after Terri's mysterious collapse.

I've read all your posts and you make very good points about Terri's current condition and the need to fight for her life. However, it seems disingenuous not to mention that Terri's collapse was not a mystery, she suffered from bulemia, had lost a lot of weight and very likely had a heart attack. A jury found that she was 70% responsible for her condition. With that information we can make a better decision, not simply arguing against a caricature of evil (her husband) but arguing positively for her life and her potential (albeit limited) as a sentient human being.

[CDHart]

"I have a living will and would never in a million years want to be kept alive in such a state."

As one who has worked since 1988 in LTC skilling nursing facilities, I don't think any of us really knows how we would feel when it comes right down to it. I have seen people whose "quality of life" is abominable, but their will to live is incredibly strong. (I do think a living will is a good idea, also a health directive should be in force as well.)

Carolyn

[phenn]

>>she suffered from bulemia, had lost a lot of weight and very likely had a heart attack

Well, this was never concluded on. She didn't have a heart attack - that much is for certain. Her enzymes never spiked.

The reason I say mysterious is because of all the trauma, broken bones and so forth. She also has a hyperextended neck which one medical professional said he only previously had seen in the victim of attempted strangulation.

You're right, however, that this is now and the task at hand is getting this woman out of harm's way.

[OldFriend]

Frankly, I care too much about my family to inflict that kind of lingering on them.

Have seen it happen in my family and have seen the toll is takes on the loved ones.

Allow me my personal choice.

[HangFire]

Prayer bump...

[shhrubbery!]

It's futile to argue with some people on this site, some of whom have hardened their hearts -- due to guilt, I believe, over their own actons.

Some of them "allowed" a relative of theirs to die. At least one poster to whom I replied admitted this. Perhaps instead of the peaceful, "gentle" death the medical establishment may have led them to expect, their relatives died a horrible, drawn-out death by starvation.

Sadly, many people believe the lies of the pro-death establishment, just as many claim to believe the 'fetus' is not a living child who feels pain as he or she is sliced and diced to death in the womb.

[Hildy]

I don't care because I wouldn't want to live like she's living and I don't think it's humane. I believe there are things worse than death, and this is one of them.

[dixie sass]

I hope it isn't to late. It seems that his brief might have been entered as "friend of the court" brief and as such couldn't be stricken.

Her husband and his lawyer should be taken out and shot or something like that - maybe with rock salt and vinegar or acid or whatever.

[pc93]

OK. Now get lost.