Question for my Fellow Freepers...

March 23, 2005 | Hildy

[mhx]

I would say "don't sacrifice your soul just to do something that you think will keep me from suffering."

Seriously.

I could tell them "if I get in that condition, please blow my head off with a shotgun" too, but it wouldn't be right.

[Raffus]

I agree. I always said I wouldn't want to be in that "state", however, to be left without water or food to die . . .

It's very sad. I have to admit I've cried now more than once.

[The Old Hoosier]

I'm sure you'd say (a) at that age. Anyone at that age would say it, and carelessly.

And that's precisely the problem with the evidence they're trying to use to starve Terri. How could anyone know what they would want in that situation until they're in it, and it's too late to tell anyone?

Look, there are no issues here of terminal illness or "right to die." Terri is perfectly healthy. This is a simple "quality of life" case.

If you believe that one person has the right to tell another that their quality of life makes it not worth living, then take the side of Michael Schiavo.

If you believe that every life is worthwhile in its own right, no matter how retarded or crippled a person is, then take her family's side.

[rhetorica]

Oops--that should be A. Sorry.

I'm still working on the being of "sound mind" part.

[Samwise]

"Bush is saving your ass whether you like it or not."

Thanks for sharing that one.

[alisasny]

My mother had her respirator turned off at age 44 after a brain hem 2 days after the incident.

If there had been any brain activity at all and any response at all I would have not allowed the respirator turned off.

[Aussie Dasher]

You and me, both.

[jwalsh07]

Had I known I was gonna live so long, I'd a taken better care of my teeth. ~ John Wayne

John Wayne and I have something in common. :-}

[Peach]

No one disputes that Terri had three years of intensive therapy. The Schindlers testified under oath they know their daughter is PVS. All her guardian ad litems said she was PVS. This case has been the most scrutinized, litigated case of its kind.

[AQGeiger]

I am 25 years old. I believe life should be continued until natural death occurs. And no, I do not see imposed starvation and dehydration as a "natural" death. Yes, I have my explicit wishes in writing, and my husband and mother are aware of my wishes.

Now, am I really not going to have to hear from you on a Terri Schiavo thread again, or is this another stunt to get attention, as was your "opus?"

[ZinGirl]

go home alone every night.

Oh...so we're NOT talking about the Schiavo case? The husband in the Schiavo scenario has NOT "gone home alone every night" for, what, 10 years?

Put it in writing....or assume that there are some "crazy" people out there who will try to save your life.

We just don't *really* know what Terri wanted....I'd rather err on the side of LIFE. Then, after rehab, she can punch me in the face.

[dennisw]

If I had a family as loving as the Schindlers I wouldn't mind being in Terri's state with the feeding tube. Commencing at age 24. You are way too cold on this one.

#1 Terri has a great family willing to take care of her.
#2 Michael Schiavo is a total liar. Not to be trusted on what he claims Terri said

Too bad your mind cannot wrap itself around the above two achingly obvious facts. You are sucked in by M Schiavo. You actually believe this scumbag. Admit it

[MikefromOhio]

you sure?

I could have sworn that she hasnt been allowed to have any legitimate therapy to allow her (possibly) to eat via her mouth or stuff like that.. Physical type therapy...

oh well...

I still would hope my wife would starve me to death if I was like that.

[cripplecreek]

I know I wouldn't want to be in that condition and my wife and I are working on living wills to prevent it. In Terri's case it isn't nearly so clear cut. All we have is the word of a man who was once her husband who managed to forget that she didn't want to live for several years.


If Terri is truly unaware what difference does it make if her parents keep her alive.

[Trust but Verify]

I would want my husband to go on with his life. Why should his life be wasted because of my condition? Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't love their spouse.

Beyond that, I would hope that he, along with our children would respect my wishes not to live in that condition, whatever it would take short of putting them in legal jeopardy. I can't imagine Terri would approve of the behavior of anyone in this ordeal.

[Samwise]

I would say "Don't let me live like that." However, were I to walk by another room with a brain-damaged woman starving to death because her husband and the courts conspired to withhold food, I would say, I would say, "Don't let me die like that."

[Hildy]

It's relevant because there's the idea that this isn't what she wanted. I'm saying this is probably what she would have wanted.

[Hildy]

Please read up on this case. Everyone testified, INCLUDING her parents that she is in a PVS.

[Aussie Dasher]

I'm sorry for your loss.

There's a big difference between turning off a machine and deliberately starving someone to death.