A decision by a circuit judge in Florida to remove a feeding tube from a woman who has brain damage but is conscious and responsive is an absurd ruling.Terri Schiavo, 39, of Pinellas County had a heart attack in 1990, temporarily cutting off oxygen to her brain, and has been hospitalized ever since.
Her husband, Michael Schiavo, wants the tube removed and her parents want it to remain because they believe she has a chance of improving.
After five years of court battles, Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer agreed with Michael Schiavo and ordered the tube to be removed Oct. 15.
Experts say that it will take one to two weeks for Terri Schiavo to die from a chemical imbalance, basically starving and dehydrating her to death.
Terri Schiavo isn’t hooked to a machine, attempts to speak, wakes up and goes to sleep on her own, moves her eyes and is responsive to visitors.
It is one thing to unhook someone from a machine that is keeping them alive if they are in a coma for years, but to pull the plug on a person that has a chance of improving is quite troubling.
Florida law states “artificially provided sustenance or hydration are considered to be life-prolonging procedures that may be denied.”
Although Terri Schiavo is being fed through a tube, her life should not be terminated as long as the possibility of improvement exists.
Seven doctors have testified before the 2nd District Court of Appeals that Terri Schiavo’s idle cells might “wake up” with the right treatment.
These doctors wouldn’t be lying under oath about her chances of improvement.
Gov. Jeb Bush, who has the power to order a stay, has been following the case and will be making a decision on it soon.
We hope that he will find it in his heart to spare Terri Schiavo’s life.
Hers is a case that has very special circumstances.
Although no one can guarantee that she will improve, she deserves the chance to try.