Administer the Donkey Punch! (489 hits)
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Submitted by <freshspinach.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2005-11-28 17:45:44 EST
Terri's Story
Born in 1963 to Robert and Mary Schindler, Theresa Marie was the first of three children and soon developed a personality that others would call bashful but happy.
At the age of 26 (in 1990), Terri suffered anoxic brain injury following a yet unresolved cardio-respiratory event. She fell into a coma and immerged a month later in a severely compromised neurological state. Some doctors would later call Terri's condition a permanent or persistent vegetative state while others would refute the diagnosis .
In 1992, Terri's husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, was successful in a medical malpractice litigation against her doctors and received $600,00 for loss of spousal consortium. Terri was awarded over $1 million for her injuries. Of this, $750,000 was placed in trust to provide healthcare and therapeutic services for her .
Shortly after that, a disagreement between Terri's parents and her husband over the course of her treatment and the handling of her trust took place. Terri's family believed that she should start receiving therapy again. Her husband declined to do so .
In 1998, Terri's husband petitioned the circuit courts in Pinellas County, Florida for the authority to withdraw her only physical dependency - a gastric feeding tube . After years of litigation, Terri's feeding tube was removed for the third and final time on March 18, 2005. She died some 13 days later of dehydration .
Why Terri's case sets a bad precedent
Michael Schiavo has testified that Terri told him she would not want to live with artificial life support . In Florida, however, enteral nourishment (feeding tubes) were not considered medical treatment that could be withdrawn without an advanced directive until some 9 years after Terri's injuries . Therefore, the Foundation and Terri's family hold that she could never have legally consented to such an action and doing so was a deprivation of her rights and privacy.
Terri did not leave an advanced directive or living will, nor did she ever discuss any such wishes with her friends or family - who she remained very close to throughout her adult life.
Terri's family feels that the circuit court has overstepped both their authority and legislative intent in ordering Terri's enteral nourishment removed.
Who is effected by this case law?
Anyone Floridian who entered into a living will (denying themselves artificial life support) prior to 1999 can be adversely effected by the case law Terri's situation has created.
Since the amendments to FS 765 were signed into law, the provisions of food and fluids, supplied through a gastric feeding tube can now be withheld without the express consent of the patient.
We feel that this not only discriminates against those unable to defend themselves and those with profound neurological disabilities, but directly impacts people from all walks of life who depend on assisted nutrition and hydration .
Some Myths About Terri's Case
Dying by dehydration is painless and peaceful
Terri was in a persistent vegetative state
Terri received therapy for years
Terri's autopsy confirmed her diagnosis
What can people do now?
▪ Education
It is important that people understand their state laws as they relate to the withdrawal of ordinary provisions. Many laws have changed or have been amended in recent years and your current advanced directive (or lack of one) might be dangerous under the new laws. We strongly urge all people to carefully read current state laws and to secure legal advice when considering them .
▪ Self-Advocacy
We also encourage people to take proactive measures to ensure that their desires for ordinary care be observed. Considering a healthcare surrogate, a Protective Medical Decisions Directive or a Will to Live Directive may be an excellent alternative to the traditional living will .
▪ Community Involvement
Through the internet, public awareness efforts and advocacy for the disabled and elderly, community involvement has a direct and positive impact. Becoming a volunteer is a good way to start
User Reviews
Submitted by el_em_en_oh (user info) at 2005-11-29 07:23:52 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Survival of the fittest...
(EAT A DICK)
Submitted by Hookhand (user info) at 2005-11-29 03:52:44 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
The sme people who say she wasn't in a persistent vegitative state tend to be the same people that don't know whether you can get AIDS through sweat.
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-11-28 20:37:01 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
didn't write that yourself, huh?
Submitted by Dolson (user info) at 2005-11-28 19:28:48 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
You're still going on about this?
Jesus, you make Canadian politics look cool.
Eat shit.
Submitted by polymorph505 (user info) at 2005-11-28 19:13:10 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Hurray for evolution.
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2005-11-28 18:53:14 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Terri's dead. Let her go.
Submitted by FATMANTPK (user info) at 2005-11-28 18:34:09 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
My understanding was the autopsy DID confirm the diagnosis that she was essentially a veggie
Whats teh hardest thing about eating vegetables?
Getting them out of their wheelchair
Submitted by hcp28 (user info) at 2005-11-28 18:27:08 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Some Myths About Terri's Case
Dying by dehydration is painless and peaceful
Terri was in a persistent vegetative state
Terri received therapy for years
Terri's autopsy confirmed her diagnosis
What can people do now?
--------------------------------------------------
so you must be a doctor right?
1. Have you ever been dehydrated? It's actually pretty euphoric not painful. If it was painful people would realize they were dehydrated as opposed to dying from it in the streets.
2. What do you consider a persistent vegetative state?
3. She recieved therapy in the beginning but like everyone else who weren't retarded her husband realized it wasn't helping. The fact that she didn't die of a bed sore turning septic means she had excellent care.
4. Read this http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8225637/
Stop being a troll and never post again.
Submitted by Fungah (user info) at 2005-11-28 17:52:20 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Your post was pretty much an auto +2, even until the end I had hope it wouldn't suck. As it is thought.
NEVER
POST
AGAIN
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-11-28 17:50:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
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