British Section of the World Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Life

From WorldNet Daily, 22 Aug 03

The Florida Supreme Court on 22 Aug. 03 rejected an appeal that would save the life of Terri Schindler-Schiavo, a woman with brain damage whose continued existence has been at the centre of an intense legal battle.

"The Attorney for Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, told WorldNet Daily the Schindlers are completely devastated by this development and are not accepting phone calls."

"Terri's medical records were recently unsealed and the findings are alarming," Life News reported on 2 July 03. A volunteer helping the family said: "It was found that a heart attack did not cause Terri's collapse as everyone was led to believe. Rather, according to one physician, Terri may have been a strangulation victim."

Excerpts from a videotape of Terri were shown on a television programme last May. Even the presenter "seemed to be surprised by the vastly different real pictures of Terri from the media portrayal of a 'vegetable' in a 'coma'," commented Nancy Valko.

A large number of disability rights groups have been supporting the Schindlers' fight for their daughter, including Not Dead Yet and the National Council on Independent Living. The Rev. Mrs. Cooper-Dowda said, "In 1985 my situation was much like Terri's. The hospital staff and my (ex) husband had written me off as being as good as dead, as someone who would never regain any kind of 'meaningful' function. Since then, I've earned a Master's degree and had a son. Having a son would have surprised them, too, since those same physicians had earlier pronounced me sterile."

Court arguments have centred on the likelihood of Terri's condition improving, and her alleged past wishes. But as Nancy Valko commented, this is not the point. The question is whether society has the right to kill innocent people if they are disabled.