r.i.p. sweet terri

[GODDESS6]

http://omaha.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D89613I8G
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. -- Terri Schiavo, the severely brain-damaged woman whose final years tethered to a feeding tube sparked a bitter feud over her fate that divided a family and a nation, died Thursday, her husband's attorney said.

Schiavo, 41, died quietly in a Pinellas Park hospice 13 days after her feeding tube was removed despite extraordinary intervention by Florida lawmakers, Congress and President Bush _ efforts that were rebuffed at every turn by the courts.

Her death was confirmed to The Associated Press by Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, and announced to reporters outside her hospice by a family adviser.

A shy woman who avoided the spotlight, Schiavo spent her final months as the focus of a media frenzy and an epic legal battle between her husband and parents over whether she should live or die.

Protesters streamed into Pinellas Park to keep vigil outside her hospice, with many arrested as they tried to bring her food and water. The Vatican likened the removal of her feeding tube to capital punishment for an innocent woman.

Politicians repeatedly tried to intervene as her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, pleaded for their daughter's life, calling the removal of the feeding tube "judicial homicide."

"Something has to be done and has to be done quick," Bob Schindler said, a week after the tube was removed March 18, as the family's legal options dwindled. "I think the people who are anxious to see her die are getting their wish."


:angel: R.I.P SWEETGIRL!!! :angel: ~

[irishgrl]

I know Terri's suffering is over and now I hope her family can make peace with this and move on.

Also: I hope the Government stays OUT of personal decisions like this, but I am afraid it wont as I read that the Legislature is already trying to put thru new bills that allow the courts to step in if there are family disagreements in similar situations.....All I can say is I hope that bit of lunacy is struck down asap as unconstitutional.

[Villavic]

I'm not enoguh informed about this new, not beyond the headlines. But I do support the idea of eutanasia (or whatever is spelled in english), as long as we are sure the person is not suffering, and there is not a hope of getting well.

I just read they let Terri die of starving or something like that. That sounds bad, but again I don't know the whole details about this case.

[golddustwoman77]

I know Terri's suffering is over and now I hope her family can make peace with this and move on.

Also: I hope the Government stays OUT of personal decisions like this, but I am afraid it wont as I read that the Legislature is already trying to put thru new bills that allow the courts to step in if there are family disagreements in similar situations.....All I can say is I hope that bit of lunacy is struck down asap as unconstitutional.


I totally agree! I was thinking the same thing. :nod:

[xdreamsunwindx]

Rest in peace, Terri. :distress: My sympathies go out to her family and friends. ♥

[WelshWitchPMD]

I hope that she finds peace in the afterlife.

[ontheEdgeof17]

May she finally find peace......

[Mad4stevie]

I know Terri's suffering is over and now I hope her family can make peace with this and move on.

I am relieved that her suffering is over. I wish that the family could make amends, but it is highly unlikely now that Michael Schiavo refused to allow the family at her bedside when Terri died and now refuses to allow them to attend the burial. Regardless of what happened before her death, her family should be allowed at the burial. :distress:

[gldstwmn]

Regardless of what happened before her death, her family should be allowed at the burial. :distress:

I agree with you...with the caveat that Ringling Brothers stays behind in Florida.

[Mad4stevie]

I agree with you...with the caveat that Ringling Brothers stays behind in Florida.

Yes - without the media circus for sure.

It is disgusting to me that Schiavo and Felos have went on and on and on about how this is about Terri's wishes . . . where is that sentiment now that she is gone? Would Terri have wanted her family barred from her bedside during her last moments and prevented from attending her burial at an undisclosed location? I THINK NOT. :distress: :distress:

And I find it appalling that Felos in all his smug, self-serving glory felt that he was of such importance that he should be at Terri's bedside when she died but would not allow Terri's family to be there too. This guy really bothers me.

[Janet]

What a mess and THANK GOD it's over. That poor girl should have NEVER been put through that.

She is in a much, much better place.

[gldstwmn]

Yes - without the media circus for sure.

It is disgusting to me that Schiavo and Felos have went on and on and on about how this is about Terri's wishes . . . where is that sentiment now that she is gone? Would Terri have wanted her family barred from her bedside during her last moments and prevented from attending her burial at an undisclosed location? I THINK NOT. :distress: :distress:

And I find it appalling that Felos in all his smug, self-serving glory felt that he was of such importance that he should be at Terri's bedside when she died but would not allow Terri's family to be there too. This guy really bothers me.

I watched his press conference today and got none of that from him. :shrug:
If Bobby Schindler hasn't started giving them a hard time, I'm sure they would have been allowed at her bedside.
I think Michael Schiavo has done right by Terri.
Her family, however, is selling videos of her for a $100 donation. That is what I mean by the circus. The protestors showed no consideration for the other inhabitants of that hospice. Anderson Cooper did a piece on it tonight.
Also, from a legal standpoint, I can see why Michael Schiavo would want his attorney with him. The man's life has been threatened, as has that of his family.
I don't trust the Schindlers as far as I can throw them. they have allowed themselves to be exploited, whether willingly or unwillingly (after all this time, I have to go with willingly) by some mighty unscrupulous people. For instance, Randall Terry. I haven't heard you address that yet.

[gldstwmn]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050331.wxschia01/BNStory/International/

Father Pavone said that Mr. Schiavo had banned family members from being in the hospice room as Ms. Schiavo died. "So his heartless cruelty continues until this very last moment," Father Pavone said.

Mr. Felos disputed that account. He said that Ms. Schiavo's brother was asked to leave the room so that hospice staff could examine her. When Mr. Schindler started arguing with a policeman protecting the room, Mr. Schiavo decided to exclude him to avoid a "potentially explosive situation."

Parents Not At Hospice
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-brain-damaged-woman,1,4793766.story?coll=chi-news-hed

Cradled by her husband, Schiavo, 41, died a "calm, peaceful and gentle death" at about 9 a.m., a stuffed animal under her arm, flowers arranged around her hospice room, said George Felos, Michael Schiavo's attorney.

No one from her side of the family was with her at the moment of her death. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, were not at the hospice, Felos said.

[strandinthewind]

Yes - without the media circus for sure.

It is disgusting to me that Schiavo and Felos have went on and on and on about how this is about Terri's wishes . . . where is that sentiment now that she is gone? Would Terri have wanted her family barred from her bedside during her last moments and prevented from attending her burial at an undisclosed location? I THINK NOT. :distress: :distress:

And I find it appalling that Felos in all his smug, self-serving glory felt that he was of such importance that he should be at Terri's bedside when she died but would not allow Terri's family to be there too. This guy really bothers me.

I am no fan of Felos, but I think it was important that he be there lest the parents and the crazies guiding them tried somekind of illegal legal manuvering. Also, it is a litle unfair to lay that all at his or Mr. Schiavo's feet. I mean the parents demonstrated for YEARS that they could not act like adults because they accepted support from what I consider freaks who with the parents complete blessings proceeded for years to lie and drag Mr. Schiavo's name through the mud in the media in an attempt to discredit him. Moreover, does anyone really think the parents would have been in anyway respectful of Mr. Schiavo in those last minutes? I do not. I think they would have tried to kill him. Thus, while I think the situation is horrid and both behaved IMO like asses, the parents are not guilt free here and in many respects have themselves to blame.

As for the funeral, I do not know of any wife who is not buried with their husband :shrug: Moreover, I think the freaks supporting the parents would try and steal the body or do something to the grave. Or, the parents and the craxies directing them could do something to bar Mr. Schiavo from visiting the grave, etc.

Finally, I just think (respectfully :wavey: ) that this all stems from you think Mr. Schiavo never had his wife's interest at heart and was chomping at the bit to kill her. I think the years of vehement medical care as well as the denial of millions not to remove the tube completely belie that notion.

[GateandGarden]

And I find it appalling that Felos in all his smug, self-serving glory felt that he was of such importance that he should be at Terri's bedside when she died but would not allow Terri's family to be there too. This guy really bothers me.Not to simplify and reiterate what's already been said, but I watched these guys and Felos isn't the one I would worry about, but Father Pavone and Randall Terry. Those are the crazies, IMO. I didn't see anything wrong with, or particularly smug about Felos.

[Mad4stevie]

I watched his press conference today and got none of that from him. :shrug:
If Bobby Schindler hasn't started giving them a hard time, I'm sure they would have been allowed at her bedside.
I think Michael Schiavo has done right by Terri.
Her family, however, is selling videos of her for a $100 donation. That is what I mean by the circus. The protestors showed no consideration for the other inhabitants of that hospice. Anderson Cooper did a piece on it tonight.
Also, from a legal standpoint, I can see why Michael Schiavo would want his attorney with him. The man's life has been threatened, as has that of his family.
I don't trust the Schindlers as far as I can throw them. they have allowed themselves to be exploited, whether willingly or unwillingly (after all this time, I have to go with willingly) by some mighty unscrupulous people. For instance, Randall Terry. I haven't heard you address that yet.

I am no fan of how the Schindlers are handing their "business". I detest the thought of any videos being sold for whatever purpose of this helpless woman in her hospice room. By the end of this, I have come to despise anyone speaking on behalf of either Schiavo or the Schindlers, because I do believe that both sides have used this case to further their own purposes (whether political or financial). Randall Terry and whoever that "spiritual adviser" was were nothing but a source of irritation for me as I followed this story.

The fact that I have raised concerns throughout the discussion of Terri on this board does not mean that I idolize or even "like" the Schindlers. I don't "hate" Mike Schiavo, although I have some unreasolved questions regarding his pursuit of this option 8 YEARS after she fell ill. As I have gotten more information through reading court pleadings, orders and rulings (the actual source of all this B.S.), in addition to speaking with several personal friends who work in the medical filed (critical care), my ultimate concern is the application of this rational to mentally disabled people.

However, now that the "battle" has been won by Schiavo (i.e. Terri was allowed to pass away), I see no justification for the refusal to permit the parents to know where her ultimate resting place will be. Terri would have wanted her parents to be present at her burial.

[Mad4stevie]

As for the funeral, I do not know of any wife who is not buried with their husband :shrug: Moreover, I think the freaks supporting the parents would try and steal the body or do something to the grave. Or, the parents and the craxies directing them could do something to bar Mr. Schiavo from visiting the grave, etc.

Really? :confused: I know of several people who were not burried next to their husband/wife, assuming there is an actual burial. Obviously, there are many more options when a body is cremated.

[dissention]

However, now that the "battle" has been won by Schiavo (i.e. Terri was allowed to pass away), I see no justification for the refusal to permit the parents to know where her ultimate resting place will be. Terri would have wanted her parents to be present at her burial.

I agree. Regardless of the chaos that ensues with making them aware of her final resting place, I find it hard to believe that this woman would not have wanted her parents to know where her remains are laid to rest and it would be cruel and ultimately heartless for Michael Schiavo to not inform her parents and family. There is no justification for such an act, none at all.

[Mad4stevie]

Finally, I just think (respectfully :wavey: ) that this all stems from you think Mr. Schiavo never had his wife's interest at heart and was chomping at the bit to kill her. I think the years of vehement medical care as well as the denial of millions not to remove the tube completely belie that notion.

I don't know that I ever thought that Schiavo was "chomping at the bit to kill her". If he wanted to do that, he wouldn't have waited eight years after she fell ill to petition the court to remove her feeding tube. ;)

I can't say that my impression of him has gotten better by his decision to bar her family from her burial; in fact, that make me inquire more about his motives. He has already won the battle against her parents; anything he does now that Terri has passed is based on his own needs and feelings of anger and resentment toward them (I am NOT saying he is not entitled to those feelings). No action or inaction on the part of either of the parties to this tragedy is going to change the fact that Terri is gone. Her life needs to be celebrated by all those who loved her. Obviously, that may/will not be possible, but it doesn't mean that it isn't the right thing to do.

[Mad4stevie]

I agree. Regardless of the chaos that ensues with making them aware of her final resting place, I find it hard to believe that this woman would not have wanted her parents to know where her remains are laid to rest and it would be cruel and ultimately heartless for Michael Schiavo to not inform her parents and family. There is no justification for such an act, none at all.

I knew at SOME point, on SOME topic on this board, we could agree on SOMETHING ;) :xoxo: :wavey:

[Dreammms]

Really? :confused: I know of several people who were not burried next to their husband/wife, assuming there is an actual burial. Obviously, there are many more options when a body is cremated.

Michael should try being a little more understanding to Terri's parents. I mean come on that's their child!!

Isn't there a way to split up the ashes or something? :(

I just honestly feel so bad for her parents and for Michael. They both lost somebody they loved very much.

Can't stop thinking about Michael craddling Terri in his arms as she is dying holding her stuffed animal.

[Mad4stevie]

Can't stop thinking about Michael craddling Terri in his arms as she is dying holding her stuffed animal.

I know. I think one of the worst tragedies of this case (other than the obvious) is that when Terri was leaving this earth for a better place, everyone who loved her should have been there for her and not making it about each other. Lindsey should have been there as a "spiritual advisor" (a term he would certainly hate) and should have recommended that they "cram their personal feelings into one corner of the room and get on with their process in the rest of the room (Gee, I guess those redundant quotes are good for something :shrug: :D )

[strandinthewind]

I don't know that I ever thought that Schiavo was "chomping at the bit to kill her". If he wanted to do that, he wouldn't have waited eight years after she fell ill to petition the court to remove her feeding tube. ;)

I can't say that my impression of him has gotten better by his decision to bar her family from her burial; in fact, that make me inquire more about his motives. He has already won the battle against her parents; anything he does now that Terri has passed is based on his own needs and feelings of anger and resentment toward them (I am NOT saying he is not entitled to those feelings). No action or inaction on the part of either of the parties to this tragedy is going to change the fact that Terri is gone. Her life needs to be celebrated by all those who loved her. Obviously, that may/will not be possible, but it doesn't mean that it isn't the right thing to do.

Foul and spin. Mr. Schiavo tried for four of the six years to try and determine that she was in fact brain dead with no chance of recovery - a fact overlooked in your statement :shrug:

But the bad blood was initially wrought by the parents. I think that bad blood made all good blood impossible. I mean would you, me, or anyone in that situation actually invite anyone that would bring the crazy religious zealots - who are there solely to demonize you - into the funeral. Who would? I sure as hell would not :shrug:

I just think you and many others are so quick to forget that. It is almost as if the parents live in isolation from any scorn for their wrong doings :shrug:

Tone - always respectful as I value you opinion :cool:

[strandinthewind]

Really? :confused: I know of several people who were not burried next to their husband/wife, assuming there is an actual burial. Obviously, there are many more options when a body is cremated.

I do not know what you have witnessed. However, he was her husband. If the sanctity of marriage means anything, then it mean she should be buried with him. Again, your position here lends creedance to my thoughts that you see Mr. Schiavo as a murderer who did not in any way have his wife's interests at heart. I think the facts (his searching for four or more years to make sure she was in fact brain dead) belie that. I think he at the end of the searching concluded she is in fact brain dead so let's honor her wishes.

Tone - as always respectful :cool:

[strandinthewind]

Michael should try being a little more understanding to Terri's parents. I mean come on that's their child!!

Isn't there a way to split up the ashes or something? :(

I just honestly feel so bad for her parents and for Michael. They both lost somebody they loved very much.

Can't stop thinking about Michael craddling Terri in his arms as she is dying holding her stuffed animal.

Again - the parents have done nothing but rely on crazy people to promote their cause and those people have dragged his name through the mud :shrug: Who amongst us would have the strength to be the biiger man and say "you and your media whores are welcome?" I can honestly say I could not be that big of a man because, and maybe this is cynicism due to my legal career, I know that the media and those freaks guiding the parents are capable of.

[strandinthewind]

I agree. Regardless of the chaos that ensues with making them aware of her final resting place, I find it hard to believe that this woman would not have wanted her parents to know where her remains are laid to rest and it would be cruel and ultimately heartless for Michael Schiavo to not inform her parents and family. There is no justification for such an act, none at all.

Again,I think he would have been open to it, but can you honestly say you would want those insane right wingers there and do you really think Mrs. Schiavo's parents would have gone without them especially considering they owe them :shrug: Who would want that :shrug:

[Mad4stevie]

I can honestly say I could not be that big of a man because, and maybe this is cynicism due to my legal career, I know that the media and those freaks guiding the parents are capable of.

Legal career = cynicism NO!! You don't say ;) ;)

I could apply the term "freak" to Felos after reading about his "angel of God" mentality. Go check out some of the books he has written. :nod:

[strandinthewind]

Legal career = cynicism NO!! You don't say ;) ;)

Oh Child - I just lost a HUGE case at the appellate level. Cynicism abounds trust me :eek:

I could apply the term "freak" to Felos after reading about his "angel of God" mentality. Go check out some of the books he has written. :nod:

As I said earlier, he is a piece of work. But, that does not belie Mr, Schiavo's intentions. Again, Mr. Schiavo searched for four or so years to determine if his wife coud get better. He determined she could not - which the medical evidence supports. Thus, his timing was true :shrug:

[dissention]

Again,I think he would have been open to it, but can you honestly say you would want those insane right wingers there and do you really think Mrs. Schiavo's parents would have gone without them especially considering they owe them :shrug: Who would want that :shrug:

Respectfully, Jason, it isn't about what he wants, it should be about what Terri would have wanted. She wouldn't want her death to be turned into a right-wing battle cry, but she wouldn't want her parents to be left in the dark at her funeral or not be told where her final resting place is. To not involve them is purely selfish, cruel, and heartless. If he's any kind of man, he'll swallow his pride and show the parents of his wife the respect they deserve. I don't like the Schindlers any more than I like Michael Schiavo, but to completely shut them out is wrong.

[Sugar]

I agree with you...with the caveat that Ringling Brothers stays behind in Florida.

Don't count on it. Members of the Schiavo family still living in PA have been recieving death threats daily. :distress:

[gldstwmn]

Don't count on it. Members of the Schiavo family still living in PA have been recieving death threats daily. :distress:

Oh I know. I think his decision not to include them is completely justified. They will have their own funeral service anyway.
Perhaps he can find it in his heart to share her ashes.

[strandinthewind]

Respectfully, Jason, it isn't about what he wants, it should be about what Terri would have wanted. She wouldn't want her death to be turned into a right-wing battle cry, but she wouldn't want her parents to be left in the dark at her funeral or not be told where her final resting place is. To not involve them is purely selfish, cruel, and heartless. If he's any kind of man, he'll swallow his pride and show the parents of his wife the respect they deserve. I don't like the Schindlers any more than I like Michael Schiavo, but to completely shut them out is wrong.

I know that. But, I am saying it is not want he wants, but what the situation is and her family is pretty much solely responsible for the acrimony. I mean Mr. Schiavo has not been nearly as cruel to her family as they were to him and falsely so at that. Her family has done nothing but drag him through the mud. So let's say he says "come to the funeral" - is there any reason to believe they would act any differently or that they would not use that situation to find some way to persecute him even more? I mean I can see them screaming MURDER at him during the funeral and then the religious crazies swarming the funeral. They are that vindictive. Thus, I conclude that all of this laying of a the guilt solely on him is unwarranted :shrug:

But, I agree that it would be nice if they could bury the hatchett for the funeral. Sadly, that is just not possible IMO because of the behaviour of the parents and the religious loons they have chosen as counsel.

In the end, I think the Schindler family has no one to thank but themselves.

[bikerchic]

When they're done fighting over the funeral and burial arrangements then they can begin fighting about book and movie deals!

[strandinthewind]

When they're done fighting over the funeral and burial arrangements then they can begin fighting about book and movie deals!

It will be interesting to see who does what. I think Mr. Schiavo will not do anything of the sort. Her parents/family probably will not either because though I think their use of the religious loons was horrid, I think their motive always was just to save their daughter. I think they could not accept that she was brain dead. I think they somewhat were victims because they did not want to accept their daughter's PVS and the religious loons saw that and took advantage of it to advance their cause.

This whole thing is just so sad.

[bikerchic]

My personal opinion, the hubby will sell out first. :nod:

[strandinthewind]

My personal opinion, the hubby will sell out first. :nod:

HYou could very well be right. I think though his actions in the last year or so belie that. I mean her family was constantly in the press. Her family did most of the untrue mudslinging. To my knowledge, Mr. Schiavo never lied. The only things they contested that he said were 1. Their daughter never expressed a wish not to live like she was and even if she did, she did not mean it, etc. - 2. they said they did not ask Mr. Schiavo for any of his personal settlement for loss of consortium. In fact, the media noted in the last few weeks that Mr. Schiavo was hurting himself by not being as vocal as her family and that he should have addressed the charges of murderer, etc. But, he could and it would be his right I guess. It would also be tacky IMO. But tackiness has not stopped all parties involved except for Mrs. Schiavo.

[Alison]

HYou could very well be right. I think though his actions in the last year or so belie that. I mean her family was constantly in the press. Her family did most of the untrue mudslinging. To my knowledge, Mr. Schiavo never lied. The only things they contested that he said were 1. Their daughter never expressed a wish not to live like she was and even if she did, she did not mean it, etc. - 2. they said they did not ask Mr. Schiavo for any of his personal settlement for loss of consortium. In fact, the media noted in the last few weeks that Mr. Schiavo was hurting himself by not being as vocal as her family and that he should have addressed the charges of er, etc. But, he could and it would be his right I guess. It would also be tacky IMO. But tackiness has not stopped all parties involved except for Mrs. Schiavo.


Don't forget there are three sides to every story. His, the parents and what is the whole truth. Unfortantly we may never know what the real truth is in this tragedy.
Don't forget the media can also twist stories to win public favor.
I guess in the end only God knows what that sweet woman wanted, or what she felt or understood in the end.
We often base our opinions on what we have experienced in life, our hurts, pain and joy. Or what we have seen or been taught. This does not always make our thoughts facts or the whole truth.

[strandinthewind]

Don't forget there are three sides to every story. His, the parents and what is the whole truth. Unfortantly we may never know what the real truth is in this tragedy.
Don't forget the media can also twist stories to win public favor.
I guess in the end only God knows what that sweet woman wanted, or what she felt or understood in the end.
We often base our opinions on what we have experienced in life, our hurts, pain and joy. Or what we have seen or been taught. This does not always make our thoughts facts or the whole truth.

Well, I base mine in this instance on the actual words I have heard come from their mouths (all parties) and those they purposefully used as mouthpieces. Also, the facts clearly state that Mr. Schiavo tried for four years to bring his wife back but after that period and countless medical opinions and procedures/therapy/etc. he concluded she was in a PVS - then and only then did he begin to implement her desire as expressed to him. So, while yes everyone's experiences taint how they see things, facts can also speak for themsleves.

Interestingly, the real issue here for me is the govt.'s involvement. I mean could you imagine if you met the state's test for demonstrating intent of your spouse and then the Fed. Govt. came in and said you as a spouse should not have the final say, which is essentially whay the Feds said because if Mr. Schiavo had lost I sincerely doubt the Congress would have passed a special law to allow the Fed. Courts to examine that state court decision with a fresh pair of eyes in a de novo review. This was politics - oure ans simple and it disgusted me.

[dissention]

I know that. But, I am saying it is not want he wants, but what the situation is and her family is pretty much solely responsible for the acrimony. I mean Mr. Schiavo has not been nearly as cruel to her family as they were to him and falsely so at that. Her family has done nothing but drag him through the mud. So let's say he says "come to the funeral" - is there any reason to believe they would act any differently or that they would not use that situation to find some way to persecute him even more? I mean I can see them screaming MURDER at him during the funeral and then the religious crazies swarming the funeral. They are that vindictive. Thus, I conclude that all of this laying of a the guilt solely on him is unwarranted :shrug:

But, I agree that it would be nice if they could bury the hatchett for the funeral. Sadly, that is just not possible IMO because of the behaviour of the parents and the religious loons they have chosen as counsel.

In the end, I think the Schindler family has no one to thank but themselves.

It's cruel and heartless to me. I don't care what they've done or who they've been in bed with, the fact of the matter is that Terri was their daughter, their flesh and blood. Michael Schiavo should be ashamed of himself if he's going to deprive them of their right as parents to attend her funeral and visit her gravesite. We can say they have no one to blame but themselves, but in the end, it shouldn't matter and he should be the bigger person. It's just wrong, in my opinion. Imagine how one of us would feel if our child died and their spouse not only wouldn't allow us to attend the funeral, but wouldn't even let us visit their grave. How cold.

I do agree that it has the possibility of turning into a three ring circus, though.

[strandinthewind]

It's cruel and heartless to me. I don't care what they've done or who they've been in bed with, the fact of the matter is that Terri was their daughter, their flesh and blood. Michael Schiavo should be ashamed of himself if he's going to deprive them of their right as parents to attend her funeral and visit her gravesite. We can say they have no one to blame but themselves, but in the end, it shouldn't matter and he should be the bigger person. It's just wrong, in my opinion. Imagine how one of us would feel if our child died and their spouse not only wouldn't allow us to attend the funeral, but wouldn't even let us visit their grave. How cold.

I do agree that it has the possibility of turning into a three ring circus, though.

I get that. But, I cannot say I blame him because I know how insane those zealots are. I would not put it past them to bomb the funeral.

on edit - I think it actually personally hurts Mr. Schiavo to excluded her parents. I think he has just been burned by them too much to trust them. So, that distrust overrides any guilt or whatever it is that he may feel about having them there.

[Mad4stevie]

It appears that he is required to inform the Schindler's of any service he plans and where her remains are to be, according to MSNBC.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7356531/

[strandinthewind]

Well, good. Then they will know that information, which is contrary to what had been posted. I would not be surprised if the Schindler's posted false information about this as they are hardly knwm for psoting the truth.

And the Schindler's continue to play games - to wit:

The Schindlers had sought to have independent medical experts observe their daughter’s autopsy Friday at the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s office, but the agency refused their request, family attorneys David Gibbs III and Barbara Weller said Saturday.

anyone in the legal field can tel you this means they wanted some doctor loyal to the religious crazy people controling them to give a worthless "medical" opinion. I base this on the fact that they have done this several times in the past.

The more I read about them, the more I feel so sorry for them. Not being able to accept this and now being indebted if not brainwashed by these dangerous kooks is just so sad and and the former is lacking in dignity. Yet, I have to wonder what I would do in the their shoes.

[Kelly]

Frankly, I am getting sick and tired of Bobby Schindler spreading his tales about "how" Terri got in this condition. He has been misleading and downright slanderous in accusing the husband of somehow causing Terri's heart failure. There is NO evidence of that, not a shred, yet he goes on CNN and claims to have found "new evidence" that the circumstances were suspicious. Its no wonder Michael is leary of them all. The Father was supposedly encouraging of Michael's new relationship from the very beginning, yet now, on tv, says Michael has been disloyal by trying, after fifteen years, to move on with his life. The whole thing is crazy. I feel for the parents and understand their pain but I do not agree with many of the things the say.

[SuzeQuze]

From Stephanie Miller's Blog Friday, April 01, 2005

A Living Will Is The Best Revenge
This was originally published in the St. Petersburg Times.

Living will is the best revenge
By ROBERT FRIEDMAN, Perspective Editor
Published March 27, 2005

Like many of you, I have been compelled by recent events to prepare a more detailed advance directive dealing with end-of-life issues. Here's what mine says:

* In the event I lapse into a persistent vegetative state, I want medical authorities to resort to extraordinary means to prolong my hellish semiexistence. Fifteen years wouldn't be long enough for me.

* I want my wife and my parents to compound their misery by engaging in a bitter and protracted feud that depletes their emotions and their bank accounts.

* I want my wife to ruin the rest of her life by maintaining an interminable vigil at my bedside. I'd be really jealous if she waited less than a decade to start dating again or otherwise rebuilding a semblance of a normal life.

* I want my case to be turned into a circus by losers and crackpots from around the country who hope to bring meaning to their empty lives by investing the same transient emotion in me that they once reserved for Laci Peterson, Chandra Levy and that little girl who got stuck in a well.

* I want those crackpots to spread vicious lies about my wife.

* I want to be placed in a hospice where protesters can gather to bring further grief and disruption to the lives of dozens of dying patients and families whose stories are sadder than my own.

* I want the people who attach themselves to my case because of their deep devotion to the sanctity of life to make death threats against any judges, elected officials or health care professionals who disagree with them.

* I want the medical geniuses and philosopher kings who populate the Florida Legislature to ignore me for more than a decade and then turn my case into a forum for weeks of politically calculated bloviation.

* I want total strangers - oily politicians, maudlin news anchors, ersatz friars and all other hangers-on - to start calling me "Bobby," as if they had known me since childhood.

* I'm not insisting on this as part of my directive, but it would be nice if Congress passed a "Bobby's Law" that applied only to me and ignored the medical needs of tens of millions of other Americans without adequate health coverage.

* Even if the "Bobby's Law" idea doesn't work out, I want Congress - especially all those self-described conservatives who claim to believe in "less government and more freedom" - to trample on the decisions of doctors, judges and other experts who actually know something about my case. And I want members of Congress to launch into an extended debate that gives them another excuse to avoid pesky issues such as national security and the economy.

* In particular, I want House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to use my case as an opportunity to divert the country's attention from the mounting political and legal troubles stemming from his slimy misbehavior.

* And I want Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to make a mockery of his Harvard medical degree by misrepresenting the details of my case in ways that might give a boost to his 2008 presidential campaign.

* I want Frist and the rest of the world to judge my medical condition on the basis of a snippet of dated and demeaning videotape that should have remained private.

* Because I think I would retain my sense of humor even in a persistent vegetative state, I'd want President Bush - the same guy who publicly mocked Karla Faye Tucker when signing off on her death warrant as governor of Texas - to claim he was intervening in my case because it is always best "to err on the side of life."

* I want the state Department of Children and Families to step in at the last moment to take responsibility for my well-being, because nothing bad could ever happen to anyone under DCF's care.

* And because Gov. Jeb Bush is the smartest and most righteous human being on the face of the Earth, I want any and all of the aforementioned directives to be disregarded if the governor happens to disagree with them. If he says he knows what's best for me, I won't be in any position to argue.

Robert Friedman is editor of Perspective. He can be reached at [email protected]

[Gailh]

It must be a heartbreaking decision to have to make. To have to decide whether or not to withdraw treatment or food from someone you love knowing that it will effectively end their life.

My father suffered from Alzeimers for 2 or 3 years before his death 18 months ago. On a couple of occasions when he had other health problems and had to go into hospital my mother was asked whether she wanted the doctors to revive him in the event this might be needed. After talking to my sister and myself she said she would prefer him just to slip away.

As it happened this was not needed. When he finally did die, from pneumonia, the nursing home he was in made him comfortable and free from pain and let him go - on our instructions.

I must stress this was a personal decision and I would not criticise anyone who made the opposite decision.

I wouldn't say we were glad when he died but in our minds he had died several months earlier when he was unable to recognise us. This was especially difficult for my mother as they had been married for nearly fifty years. We were glad his mental suffering was over.

A close friend of mine had to watch her mother die and slow and very painful death from cancer and she once told me sometimes she prayed for her mother's death.

In my opinion you have to take the advice of the doctors and if there is no hope of recovery then the family has to make a very difficult decision which I think politicians should keep out of.

My mother, sister and I have all told each other that if we are ever in that situation the other two should "pull the plug". At least we all know what the others' wishes are.

The main problem with this case is the arguing between the husband and the parents.

Gail

[strandinthewind]

April 16, 2005
No Evidence of Abuse of Schiavo
By BENEDICT CAREY

tate investigators in Florida have found no clear evidence that Terri Schiavo was denied rehabilitation, neglected or otherwise abused, according to documents released yesterday by the state's Department of Children and Families.

The agency completed nine reports of abuse accusations made from 2001 to 2004, including neglect of hygiene, denial of dental care, poisoning and physical harm. The accusations, which have been widely reported, focus on Michael Schiavo, the husband of Terri. Ms. Schiavo died on March 31, nearly two weeks after her feeding tube was removed.

The names of many accusers have been blacked out in the documents, but the name of Ms. Schiavo's father, Robert Schindler, appears on one.

Judge George W. Greer of Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court, who has presided over the dispute between Ms. Schiavo's parents and her husband over her care, ordered the agency to make the documents public before Monday.

Lawyers for Mr. Schiavo and Ms. Schiavo's parents did not return calls seeking comment

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/16/national/16schiavo.html?oref=login&pagewanted=print&position=

_____________________________________________________

Hmmmmmmmmm - those religious zealots and their unsupported allegations :rolleyes:

Hey - just say it on Fox and it must be true.