A Thirteen Year War: On Terri Schiavo Essay Example

the absence of oxygen for fourteen minutes [1].

The woman's physical abilities have been severely impacted by the harm she experienced, causing her to depend on a feeding tube for survival. Despite being alive, medical professionals have diagnosed her with "persistent vegetative state" or PVS due to the loss of cognitive abilities and environmental awareness while still maintaining non-cognitive functions and normal sleep patterns. This diagnosis has been affirmed by experts in Florida and beyond, including specialists at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

According to [2], involuntary motions and reflexive eye movements may ensue due to external stimulation. Despite Terri's apparent state, medical professionals acknowledge both perspectives on whether or not she fits this classification. Evidence has demonstrated that Terri is incapable of forming coherent speech patterns or comprehending language and symbols, and her reactions to stimuli are unpredictable. The maximum reported duration of PVS recovery is six months.

Despite being in a vegetative state for over thirteen years, Terri Schiavo's father, Bob Schindler, claims that they have found fifteen doctors who believe she is capable of improvement. In contrast, her husband Michael Schiavo has only been able to provide testimony from four or five doctors who believe that she will not recover. Among the doctors appointed by Terri's family is Dr. William Hammesfahr, a neurologist from Clearwater. [3]

According to Hammesfahr, Terri Schiavo's eyes focus on her family and she attempts to obey simple commands, such as pulling against a doctor's arm [4]. However, Hammesfahr's lack of credentials made him useless in comparison to Michael Schiavo's doctors. In contrast, court-appointed doctors and Michael Schiavo's attorneys' physicians claimed that Terri lacked any consciousness. They interpreted all

of her movements, responses, and sounds as involuntary reflexes. According to Felos, "If you look at the hours of video, there are many instances where the mother says 'Hi, it's mom' to Terri".

"There is no response. Nothing at all," [4]. This refers to the Schiavo vs. Schindler case, in which Michael Schiavo became Terri's legal guardian and surrogate decision-maker after their marriage in November 1984. Before her accident, Terri had expressed to Michael that she did not wish to be kept alive artificially.

Michael made the decision to stop providing his wife with nutrition and allowed her to pass away peacefully. He presented evidence in court regarding Terri's previous statement about her desire to live. Despite grieving alongside the Schindlers, Michael attempted to find a cure for Terri by consulting multiple doctors in search of a potential recovery. In California, he allowed doctors to try implanting electrodes in her brain.

Michael tried various methods such as therapy, private duty aides, and weaning Terri off her feeding tube to improve her condition over several months. He disagrees with the reports from nursing home aides and thinks they did not give enough assistance to Terri. Nonetheless, it was only after his mother's death that he accepted letting go of Terri as being in her best interest. He admits that he held onto hope while ignoring Terri's wishes.

In an effort to keep his wife with him, the speaker acknowledges in [5] that he had disregarded her true condition. While Michael Schiavo prepared to let Terri pass away, the Schindler family prepared to fight back. Bob and Marry Schindler relentlessly challenged Michael's credibility, using any justification to maintain

Terri's feeding tube. The Schindlers claimed that their daughter and son-in-law were already discussing divorce prior to her 1990 accident, and accused Michael of being excessively controlling over Terri.

Michael imposed limits on Terri's distance from home and spending limits. The Schindlers' anger escalated upon Michael's denial of the family's claims. Terri's brother, Bobby Schindler, confirmed her ability to communicate via numerous online videos depicting her interactions with her family, including smiling at her mother, laughing at music, and tracking a balloon across the room.

Despite everything that Terri has experienced, it is remarkable that she appears to be in good health. Her determination to survive is inspiring [6]. The involvement in this battle extends beyond just Terri's loved ones, as the community is also divided on the issue. While some people align with the Schindlers' perspective, others side with Schiavo. Some individuals are indifferent and believe that the government and others should not have interfered in this private matter.

Doug Murray, who lives in Florida, referred to Terri as "poor" [7]. Glynn Hampton shares Murray's sentiment and believes that Terri is the only one being punished, while sympathizing with Michael and Terri's family [7]. J.

D. Wells raised an interesting point regarding a sign that read "let her live" which should actually state "make her live whether she likes it or not" [8]. There are individuals who disagree with those who advocate for Terri's death, considering it murder in some instances. John Frame cannot fathom a more agonizing death than one caused by gradual starvation and dehydration [8]. Complaints of the moral and constitutional impropriety of the decisions to allow Schiavo's death have been voiced for several years.

The community also emphasizes that as Terri had no living will, she should be allowed to live.

An anonymous voter has expressed support for Terri's continued survival due to the willingness and capability of her parents to care for her [9]. However, the author holds a contrary view, contending that despite Terri Schiavo's outstanding qualities, it is appropriate for her to pass away. In sustaining her life over a period of thirteen years with a feeding tube, it is humane to allow natural processes without medical intervention. Though Terri's family understandably loves her deeply and desires to keep her around, they should also contemplate the compassionate option of releasing her.

Terri Schiavo's state of existence is limited to that of a reactive body without any significant life. The controversy surrounding her condition has caused ongoing discord within her family, husband, and community. Despite some referring to her as being in a vegetative state, the reality is that she is brain dead and thus deceased. Basic functions such as feeding, talking or walking are impossible for her to perform, and it remains unclear whether she can process auditory information. Given these circumstances, one may question the purpose or quality of life when there exists no way to comprehend or communicate what may be happening in her mind.

Terri's physical state is puzzling as she seems to be in a purgatory phase where her mind has moved on and the rest of her body is shutting down. Unfortunately, the government is regulating when she can go through this phase, which raises ethical concerns. The principle of treating others as one desires to be treated is relevant here since many people

would not want to continue in a situation where external forces have power over their body. As a result, it is unfair to expect Terri to desire anything different.