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

[MHGinTN]

The grace we show and employ toward those in need is a sign of our humanity, more than it is a sign of the needy person's dependence. I too am working on Terri's behalf, in my way, because it is the right thing to do when the burden rests upon the heart. Pity those whose hearts are so cold and hardened that they cannot feel a tweak, a burden, offered to them by the Grace of the Almighty. They are the living dead, the detritus of humanity, the self-serving "I".

[Ohioan from Florida]

To many, that's not life. But to disabled people, that definition no longer applies. They have a different definition, a new definition. A personal definition, wouldn't you agree? I'm sure my definition is different from yours and is different from every other person's.

[Ohioan from Florida]

I'm glad there are other Freepers who have encountered "her" before. Your post was helpful, thank you.

[Hildy]

Yes, I agree to that.

[Hildy]

What the hell are you talking about. I am on FreeRepublic everyday. I've been a member since 1998. If you read the mission statement of FR maybe you'll learn something. And I remember you too. Don't think I don't.

[MHGinTN]

Bwahahahaha

[blueriver]

Why is everyone so afraid of death?

You are confusing death with murder. Simply put we are against the murder of an innocent human life. No one has the moral authority to end another persons life.

[freeparoundtheclock]

The feeding tube has a port. Lots of ill or disabled people have ports implanted. The tube goes in and out. So, she isn't hooked up to anything and if someone would allow it, Terri could actually be wheeled outside to enjoy the fresh air.

They just want Terri dead. She's still here 13 years later. I think that can be attributed to a strong will to live. She has emotions. If she was suffering, she'd communicate that as well.

Glenn Beck's on Fox News Channel in about five minutes re: his book The Real America. He's been publicizing Terri's fight for three years now.

[freeparoundtheclock]

Roy is in much worse shape than Terri is. I don't wish him harm either, that being said. He's on a ventilator, i.e. really hooked up to machines. I've been praying for him too.

[freeparoundtheclock]

If Terri gets to live, it would set a legal precedent for other disabled Americans who end up in the same predicament she's in through no fault of her own.

At the very least, Terri deserves an independent guardian ad litem which Governor Bush is arguing for. The husband has ulterior motives along with his attorney. He's not a loving husband, living with a woman, expecting their 2nd child. Not the definition of a devoted husband.

[blueriver]

Not the definition of a devoted husband.

I would classify him as a bigamist, and that is the most mild adjective I have for him.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Pro-life or not, if the man gave a blame-America homily on 9/11 he is a rat.

[freeparoundtheclock]

Hildy is entitled to ask questions. The problem is that her questions are in the form of accusations, just like a liberal reporter only she cannot spell and her writing style is choppy.

[Hildy]

Roy has been in his predicament for 5 days...Terri for 13 years. There's a little bit of a difference.

[Friend of thunder]

she cries when her parents leave

If this is true (and I don’t doubt you, I just have not been following this that closely) then she is clearly not in a vegetative state. Withholding “nutrition and hydration” – which is, I believe, the common euphemism for starving someone – is very different from withholding “extraordinary” or “heroic” measures. While I believer the latter is defiantly justified when higher brain activity has ceased, I am not sure about the former; I do know neither is justified if higher brain activity is present.

I am talking about situations where the individual is not able to make the decision themselves; I am not sure how to deal with situations where sick people want to end their own life.

[pc93]

Bravo.

[freeparoundtheclock]

re: hildy person

Over six thousand posts later, only three posters who've played devil's advocate. Not bad. Not bad at all. Ignore disruptors/pests. They'll try to share their misery with you.

[pc93]

I just hope that the guardianship gets yanked away from Michael and that he is forced to stay away from Terri for the rest of his pathetic life, same with all the other losers who have been pawns or willing conspirators in trying to make Terri waste away. And I hope that Terri gets to get the rehabilitation in all aspects that she deserves as she has a very tenacious will to live and I have no doubt can improve in so many ways. During the labor day weekend time I was with family at a picnic and thought how great it would be for Terri to be outside and when wee were driving by the ocean how she would probably love to hear, see the ocean waves, the beach, etc. I hope very soon that she gets to. This needs to get out of the courts once and for all. Terri needs to be with her parents, siblings, and friends. Regards.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Yes, and if hubby dear had used the money from the malpractice suit for therapy, as he should have, instead of a "DO NOT RESUSCITATE" order, then perhaps Terri wouldn't be in the predicament she's in now. He won't even fix one wheel on her wheelchair so that she can be taken outside. She can't have flowers delivered. You know, sometimes it's the little things in life that make it so much more pleasureable. But Michael refuses to allow Terri anything to stimulate her at all. What a sweetheart!

[Ohioan from Florida]

Then I guess that's at least a place where we have common ground. So, now agreeing that one's definition of life can vary from individual to individual, can we also agree that because our definitions may differ, does that mean that one way is more preferable than the other, or does each individual retain their right to their own preference?