A few good Terri Schiavo links

  • Understanding Terri Schiavo, from the St. Petersburg Times. A decent one-stop summary of the conflict, with a lot of focus on the videos that Terri’s parents have released.
  • The Terri Schiavo Information Page, a sub-project of the Abstract Appeal blog. Absolutely the best source of information about Terri Schiavo, including a timeline and links to the relevant court decisions. Abstract Appeal itself is the best blog to check for breaking news on this story.
  • The Lost Lesson of Terri Schiavo points out that Terri’s condition was brought on by her bulimia, which in turn was brought on (or at least encouraged) by an appearance-obsessed society.
  • To read what “the other side” says, visit TerrisFight.org.

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17 Responses to A few good Terri Schiavo links

  1. mattH says:

    Here’s a link to Carl Zimmer, who’s writings have been misinterpreted by advocates for Terri’s parents and a link to his source, Dr. Joseph Giacino of the JFK Medical Center. Consciousness and the culture wars, part 2. It’s more evidence that there’s little hope.

  2. Raznor says:

    And Ampersand should have read it by now, or no more respect, but here’s a cartoon that’s partially inspired by the Terri Schiavo case.

  3. Tom T. says:

    In the interest of full disclosure, it should be pointed out that the article linking Ms. Schiavo’s condition to her bulimia was written by the lawyer who represented her in a successful lawsuit alleging that her health care providers were negligent in failing to treat her bulimia.

  4. Amy Phillips says:

    Here is a statement signed by 21 disability rights advocacy organizations arguing that Terri Schiavo is not dead, and that allowing her to be starved to death without independent, unbiased assesment of her condition by the court jeopardizes the rights of many people who cannnot communicate, but are alive.

  5. Ampersand says:

    But there has been an “independent, unbiased assesment of her condition by the court.” The problem is, the disabled rights groups don’t like the decision the courts made.

    (Thanks for the link, though!)

  6. Juan Schoch says:

    Key: ,. = etc.

    The Terri Schindler Life Ribbon Campaign acts as a beacon pointing to Terri’s plight. It also acts as lighthouse and gateway to others who already Realize and stand as Witness to Terri’s inherent right to life and rehabilitation,. It is apparent that Michael Schiavo, George Felos, Deborah Bushnell and Co. must be bound by laws in order to be forced out of Terri’s life. Let us continue to spread the word and take actions,. for Terri.

    Juan Schoch
    e-mail: pc93@bellsouth.net

    Help Us Protect And Ensure Life
    And Liberty For Terri Schindler!
    Become a Life Ribbon Site

    You are encouraged to place a Life Ribbon Campaign banner on your servers and web pages to support/participate in the campaign described on this page at

    http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm

    Questions to: pc93@bellsouth.net

    Also looking for co-ordinators for Terri Life Ribbon Meet-ups in their particular states.

  7. Dan J says:

    Hey, anyone else find it telling that the only women whose rights some folks are interested in protecting and/or upholding are the ones who can’t think?

  8. DBH says:

    I find it interesting that a medical malpractice award of 2 million dollars was given for “failure of her doctors to treat her bulemia” This sounds like a great example of the need for tort reform. When the jury sees a clearly tragic outcome they give large awards. I would be interested how the lawyers proved negligence in this case. As a physician who probably has a few bulemics in his practice this scares me.

  9. Kasasagi says:

    In that case maybe you should consider educating yourself on the subject of eating disorders – starting with learning the correct spelling of “bulimia”! Instead of worrying about what’s going to happen to your career if (when??) someone is harmed by your ignorance.

    Seriously. If you really are a physician, you need to have a good think about your priorities!

  10. Juan Schoch says:

    Please sign and if you have others who would care to sign please forward to
    them.

    What we are asking for here is a geometrical progression.

    Send to 10 (or more) caring people in your circle of friends who will
    do the same and so on.

    http://www.petitiononline.com/Felos518/petition.html

    Carefully read the Florida Bar petition online before signing, requesting
    the Florida Bar bring described formal action involving attorneys George
    Felos and Deborah Bushnell, for reasons described in the petition.

    FLORIDIANS AND NON-FLORIDIANS accepted. This is going straight to the
    Florida Bar. Count is around 131 at this time. Please send this to as many
    caring individuals as you can with the message to others to take the same
    actions.

    Refs:

    http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/30/Tampabay/Doctors_examine_Schia.shtml

    You can view the police report, concluded May 14, 2004 here:
    http://zimp.org/pr/. By clicking the thumbnails, you can view a full-size
    scan of each page. Additionally, you can download the entire package for
    offline viewing (requires Winzip) here: http://zimp.org/pr/pr.zip.

    The above report not only indicates that absolutely nothing suspicious was
    found as the result of this exhaustive investigation, but also that the
    ‘marks’ and ‘needle cap’ (which turned out to part of an irrigation kit)
    were found PRIOR to Terri’s parents visiting that day.

    Additionally, I encourage you to read the press release issued by Mr. Felos
    the night of the alleged incident here:
    http://zimp.org/documents/felospr032904.pdf in which he states that a
    forensic team was investigating the matter. In speaking personally with the
    Clearwater Police Department, I have learned that they don’t even have a
    forensic team.

    +++

    Whoever said that “Crime doesn’t pay” didn’t live in our times.
    MOM MUST PAY ADMISSION TO SEE HER DAUGHTER?

    This is Terri’s 1501st day confined to just a single small room by Hospice
    of the Florida Suncoast (give or take a few days of having to be in the
    hospital from neglect and almost being dehydrated/starved to death).

    Just when you thought the bottom of the barrel was being reached, the now
    infamous fax from Michael Schiavo’s attorney Deborah Bushnell stating that
    the Schindlers could be permitted to visit their daughter if they pay for an
    off duty police officer to accompany them (arranged by Deborah Bushnell &
    Co. of course):

    Deborah A. Bushnell
    Attorney
    204 Scotland Street
    Dunedin, FL 34698
    Phone: (727)733-9064

    By Facsimile: (727) 898-4903

    May 06, 2004

    Patricia Fields Anderson, Esq.
    447 Third Avenue N., Suite 405
    St. Petersburg, FL 33701

    Re: Schiavo, Theresa – #1834 -Guardianship

    Dear Pat:

    I received your fax dated May 4, 2004.

    We inquired of Hospice as to whether they would allow their
    security officers to be in the room during Robert and Mary
    Schindlers’ visitation. To date, we have not received their
    consent to this arrangement, and it does not seem likely that
    such an arrangement can be made with them in the near future.

    In the interim, the Schindlers may visit Terri in the presence
    of a security officer. However, we would have to make private
    security options. If your clients are agreeable to paying the
    cost of such supervision, please let us know, and we will
    follow up to make arrangements for the visitation and let you
    know the cost.

    Sincerely,

    Deborah A. Bushnell

    cc Michael Schiavo
    George J. Felos, Esq.
    Scott P. Swope, Esq.

    +++

    Terri is denied any extensive/comprehensive range of motion therapy or any
    kind of therapies that could make her better. Terri is not terminal yet
    Michael Schiavo is trying hard to make it so. AHCA’s April 1st investigation
    didn’t see anything wrong with Terri’s teeth yet shortly after their
    investigation 5 teeth were completely removed from her mouth, with no
    apparent restorative work. How could the AHCA not have noticed anything
    wrong? The surveyors notes of this investigation are a must read. They show
    to what lengths Hospice of Florida Suncoast, Michael Schiavo, etc. are going
    to deceive investigators to cover up the fraud and criminal neglect they are
    committing upon Terri, the people of Florida, United States and the world.
    The AHCA appears to be complicit in aiding and abetting these crimes.
    AHCA is committing fraud and I have the proof. They have refused to
    investigate my complaints saying that the issues contained in them were
    investigated on April 1st. This is a complete lie. The issues of my
    complaints were not investigated on April 1st, 2004 and I have the
    documentation from AHCA themselves to prove it. If you know anyone
    who can do something about this please contact me at pc93@bellsouth.net

    There is a big question: WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR FEDERAL AND
    STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DOING ABOUT BRINGING THE
    PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE? Contact the senators for your district and
    ask them what can be done, there are any number of actions that can be
    taken.

    Contact as many people as you can (governmental and non-governmental)
    about Terri’s plight. Make stickers, bumper stickers, licence plates,
    posters, etc.

    Be creative, do take action.

    “Petition for State protective custody for Terri” (please get the petition
    information out to as many peoples as possible)
    http://www.PetitionOnline.com/chisana7/

    “Saving Terri Schiavo”
    http://www.PetitionOnline.com/19461949/

    Laws being broken:
    http://zimp.org/

    Connect the Dots … for Terri
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1130771/posts?page=11#11

    http://www.terrisfight.org

    http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm

    +++

    5/17/04 11 AM EST, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE
    BOB SCHINDLER SENIOR RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT

    STATEMENT OF SCHINDLER FAMILY
    MAY 17, 2004

    Thank you for coming here today.

    My family is so very thankful to the Clearwater Police Department for doing
    such a thorough and deliberate job with their investigation and for finally
    proving that these charges were completely baseless. As horrifying as the
    least six weeks were, I am grateful to the men and women of the Police
    Department for undertaking their duties seriously and fairly. We are sorry
    the taxpayers had to pay for an investigation that turned out to be a total
    waste of law enforcement resources.

    We have been banned from seeing Terri for 49 days. Why are we being kept
    from our own daughter? We have not done anything wrong, the police agreed.

    For the past 14 years, my family has endured a hardship that is beyond
    description. I’m certain that any parent can imagine the horror of such a
    devastating incident happening to one of your children. It is difficult and
    heartbreaking to say the least. But what is unbearable is when evil people
    will go to any length to execute my daughter for their own selfish reasons:
    They are and will profit financially if my daughter is executed by
    dehydration and starvation.

    My daughter is not in a persistent vegetative state. This is a point that
    many who have reported on the case in the past simply do not understand.
    Terri is able to laugh and cry and to respond to us when we visit her. She
    complies with requests and does her best to please those around her. She has
    moods. She has good days and bad days – just like you or I. She laughs at my
    stupid jokes. She cries when we leave. She lights up when she sees her
    mother. She complains when she is not comfortable. She giggles when her
    mother plays with her hair. She gets frustrated, happy, tearful, tired,
    excited – everything you and I do. She just does it in the only way she can.
    If she were not denied access to the simplest of rehabilitative techniques,
    she would be in far better shape.

    We are very concerned that Terri is receiving sub-standard medical and
    dental care. Her teeth are rotting and 5 have been extracted. She is not
    receiving any rehabilitative therapy what so ever. For years we have argued
    in court that Terri deserves proper medical and dental care, but our pleas
    have been ignored.

    There is no reason for this wonderful young woman to die. With proper
    medical care and therapy there is hope for Terri. Not only do these people
    insist on executing my daughter, they are trying to do it as quickly as
    possible. We ask that families and parents out there show their support by
    contacting the Florida Supreme Court and urging them not to rush through
    this case. It is amazing to think that, in America, it is easier to execute
    someone who has committed no crime than someone who has.

    Why is my daughter still not allowed to see her mother? She is alive, she is
    aware, she knows and misses her family. With your help, the truth will be
    told.

    Thank you.
    Bob Schindler

    +++

    The light is shining brighter on the real fact that pursuant to the Life
    Felony Crimes Laws, FS825.102, which are intended to protect all of us from
    the acts or omissions of others to cause us great harm or even cause our
    death, when we become unable to speak and do for ourselves, no matter the
    cause — No person, elderly or disabled can be denied food and water,
    delivered by any means we are able to receive, or medicine, speech therapy,
    physical therapy, necessary services and rehabilitation — to do so carries
    up to Life Felony imprisonment.

    Michael is just a used name. He is a puppet. The real people behind all of
    these criminal acts that have been perpetrated upon vulnerable and fleecable
    people, just as with Terri, are the Debra Bushnell’s, the George Felos’, the
    Clan of Judges and the law enforcement officials they puppeteer. This
    bunch — there are other groups just like them around the state — are only
    using the powers of a guardian to *hide* Terri [ cage/kidnap ] to make sure
    she gets no stimulation, no visitors, no therapies of any kind, and possibly
    try to intentionally depress her by telling her that her blood family has
    abandoned her, so she will give up on living; so that she will give up
    fighting them from causing her to die; Causing death = Killing. All doctors
    have testified that she can hear. Videotaped examinations prove it.

    Michael Schiavo has been a borrowed name on all of these court filings for
    the purpose of making this woman dead. It was in May of 1998 when Michael
    came up with the announcement to the public, through his Petition to Kill hi
    s wife with a civil court order obtained for the purpose of starving and
    dehydrating his wife to death. If that is true, his bringing to the
    attention of the 6th Circuit Court, and never before in the 140 other court
    hearing and trial opportunities going back to the day Terri was injured, the
    hearsay and unwritten assertion that his wife told him several years prior
    to 1990 that she would not want to live on a feeding tube. So teach her how
    to eat by mouth again. Judge Greer was asked by her kin, and showed the
    laws that mandate, but going against the laws he took oath to uphold, he
    instead said “I don’t want anybody feeding that woman”, during open court in
    2001.

    Given that between Feb 1990 and May 1998 Michael never brought up any
    statements of Terri’s saying no feeding tube and not saying that she wanted
    to be starved to death, the light now shines directly on December 14, 1995,
    nearly 2 and one half years prior to Michael’s *new* assertion that Terri
    did not want a feeding tube.

    That is the day, according to a careless mistake of two of the perpetrators
    using Michael to make Terri dead, that George Felos and Debra Bushnell had a
    meeting to discuss the discontinuance of the feeding tube. It was a full 16
    months prior to Michael having his first conference with George Felos on
    March 14, 1997. Felos is the self-proclaimed right-to-be-made-dead
    attorney that was immediately hired by Michael and approved by the court two
    months, to be paid with Terri’s Jury awarded 1.4 million dollars
    specifically for 51 years of life expectancy and for her care AND
    rehabilitation. Not for an attorney hired to kill her.

    So, Michael’s guardianship attorney Bushnell,
    meets with the expert death attorney Felos,
    16 months later Michael hires Felos using Terri’s money and not his own
    $660,000 jury award to shack up and make babies with Jodi Centonze while
    prohibiting any forms of rehabilitation,
    so that he can use his wife’s money to make her dead, and then yet another
    14 months later,
    makes the announcement that Terri said in 1986 “no feeding tube” by filing
    May 11, 1998 *his* Petition to starve and dehydrate Terri — an act,
    granted by a judge, that would kill his wife, would finish her off, by
    denying and withholding all forms of food, water, medicine, speech therapy,
    necessary services and rehabilitation.

    The light is on the calculator. The sum of the facts could appear to total
    up to a Premeditated Plot and Plan to intentionally kill their clients wife.
    A plan that was developed over several years. Once the permission was
    sought from Judge Greer, this murder plan was enacted, and set into play.
    This changed everything into a bonafide crime. Attempted Murder, 1st Degree
    Felony Falsification of Advance Directives (30 years), 1st Degree Felony
    Neglect with intent to cause death and Attempted Aggravated Manslaughter on
    a Disabled Person — all pursuant to the Crime Laws and Statutes of Florida.

    Judge Greer in his February 11, 2000 Order, committed malpractice by
    misdiagnosing Terri as being an unconscious and unaware person [lawsuit 1]
    and then Ordered the Guardian of the Ward to commit a 1st Degree Felony
    Crime by removing Terri’s feeding tube and denying her constitutional and
    legal right to be protected and not feloniously victimized by being caused
    to die.

    Is the light on for anyone else?

    David.
    [Note: dates and timelines taken directly from public guardianship records,
    public records, transcripts and depositions]

    +++

    Read the depositions, statements in court and on national television of
    Michael Schiavo regarding the evening/morning of Terri’s collapse then look
    at the police report of how the paramedics found Terri face down on the
    floor. Also see Michael’s statements that he will continue in his attempts
    to take care of Terri (how could anyone read this any different then that he
    will continue in his attempts to kill Terri) even if the courts rule against
    him. Terri deserves protective custody from the State of Florida and
    guardianship under Michael Schiavo needs to be removed:

    Go to the following link:

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1135763/posts?page=58#58

    and scroll up a little if post 58 is not visible, this is who the enemies of
    humankind would like to see dead and I will throw down the gauntlet every
    time against them and I would ask that you do the same while contacting
    10 or more (more is welcome) others a day who will do the same as
    well as per above the request of contacting local and federal officials,
    etc.

    Police report, statements of Michael, etc.:

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1131600/posts?page=350#350

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1125603/posts?page=34#34

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1135763/posts?page=55#55

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1120621/posts?page=261#261

    Interesting timeline:

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/my/comments?more=56265851

    Some depositions of Michael:

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1108693/posts?page=117#117

    +++

    A statement was released on Friday, May 14th by the Clearwater Police
    Department stating that they found NO evidence of criminal activity, NO
    indication of attempted criminal activity, and no harm done to Mrs. Schiavo,
    stating that the investigation has concluded.

    The police report also included that the two aides who were on duty on the
    day the incident happened, had told the nurse on duty that the marks on
    Terri’s arm were on her arm before the Schindler’s had visited that day.

    The charge nurse who had called Michael to report the marks, had told
    Michael Schiavo that the aides had reported that the marks were there before
    Bob and Mary had visited.

    The police detective also had found other caps such as the one that was
    reported by attorney George Felos of Dunedin, Florida as suspicious, in
    other enteral irrigation tubing packaging.

    Last evening after 46 days of the Schindler’s not being permitted to see
    their daughter, the Schindler’s excitedly drove to Park Place to be reunited
    with Terri.

    Upon their arrival, the nurse rang Michael Schiavo to ask if it was okay for
    the Schindler’s to go in to see their daughter. Michael Schiavo told the
    nurse to tell them “No”.

    Although no criminal activity was concluded, it appears that the Schindler’s
    are now forced to wait and see their daughter until a decision is made on
    the 26th of May when an emergency hearing is scheduled to be heard in Judge
    Greer’s court for restoration of visitation.

    ___

    For 55 days, including Mother’s Day… the Schindler Family have been denied
    access to their daughter for an alleged incident that turned out to be
    nothing better than a hoax. Michael Schiavo and George Felos have created a
    situation in which they forcibly isolated Terri Schindler-Schiavo from her
    family. This was done on false accusations that they had caused harm to
    their own daughter. In a press release dated March 29th, George Felos of
    Dunedin, Florida all but accused Terri’s parents of injecting her and
    inflicting puncture wounds on her arm:

    http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/30/Tampabay/Doctors_examine_Schia.shtml

    As you will read in the following
    official press release from the Clearwater Police Department these charges
    are false and unsubstantiated.

    Decide for yourself what the motives were.

    CHERYL FORD RN
    FIGHT4TERRI@AOL.COM

    Here is the Clearwater Police News Release

    NEWS RELEASE

    For Immediate Release
    May 14, 2004

    INVESTIGATION FINDS NO EVIDENCE OF CRIME

    Clearwater Police Criminal Investigations Detectives concluded today an
    expansive and detailed investigation into suspicions that physical harm done
    with criminal intent had been visited upon a 40-year-old woman under the
    care of Hospice in Clearwater.

    The investigation found no evidence of harm, injury or violation as the
    result of a criminal act, said Police Chief Sid Klein.

    The Hospice patient, Mrs. Theresa M. Schiavo, was the subject of
    investigative, forensic and medical scrutiny after concern was expressed for
    her well-being on March 29, 2004.

    At about 3:30 that Monday afternoon – as Mrs. Schiavo’s feeding regimen
    commenced – a Hospice employee noticed some marks on Mrs. Schiavo’s arms,
    and shared her observations with a Hospice supervisor at the Park Place
    assisted living facility, 2750 Drew Street. Concerns were heightened by the
    position of a plastic hospital bracelet on Mrs. Schiavo’s forearm; the
    positioning of a plastic feeding tube wrapped around the chair in which she
    was sitting; and the discovery of a small, purple medical apparatus,
    initially described as a “needle cap.”

    (The lavender object, manufactured by a New York medical supply company
    called Qosina, is not a hypodermic needle cap, but rather a hollow,
    open-ended polypropylene “catheter syringe tip adapter” – called a Luer,
    part # 41501 – and is used as a plastic tubing connector in medical feeding
    and irrigation setups; it has no application for injection).

    The Hospice supervisor notified Mrs. Schiavo’s husband, Michael, who called
    his attorney and his wife’s physician, Dr. Stanton Tripodis. The physician
    examined Mrs. Schiavo at Park Place, and authorized her transfer to Mease
    Hospital in Dunedin for an examination. Various procedures, including
    toxicology tests for the presence of unauthorized drugs, proved negative,
    and Mrs. Schiavo was returned to Hospice care.

    Clearwater Police Detectives conducted numerous interviews with family
    members, physicians, Hospice employees and others. The Mease Hospital
    attending physician found nothing untoward about the marks on Mrs. Schiavo’s
    arm, nor did her personal physician. Neither physician quantified the marks
    on her upper arm as evidence of an injection; the origin of these specific
    marks is undetermined.

    Although Detectives cannot say conclusively what caused the other marks,
    it’s believed they could have been the result of a apparatus called a “Hoyer
    Lift,” used to move a patient from a reclining position on a bed to a
    sitting position in a chair.

    The plastic hospital bracelet, a rigid band of plastic, may have worked
    itself up her forearm toward her elbow since Mrs. Schiavo’s arms are often
    contracted upward.

    The feeding tube and its position was examined by Hospice employees when
    concerns were initially expressed, and subsequently by investigators: there
    was no indication of leakage; detectives found no indication of intentional
    manipulation; the monitor warning alarm was never activated, nor was the
    feeding ever interrupted.

    Detectives identified the lavender piece of plastic found in Mrs. Schiavo’s
    clothes as a tubing connector, and had an independent company (National
    Medical Services of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania) conduct chemical and gas
    examinations of swabs taken from the Luer adapter. The test results were
    negative for foreign substances.

    The Clearwater Police Department found no evidence of criminal activity, no
    indication of attempted criminal activity, and no harm done to Mrs. Schiavo.
    The investigation has concluded.

    All inquiries regarding this investigation should be directed to Public
    Information Officer Wayne Shelor at (727) 562-4333.
    /s/
    SID KLEIN
    Chief of Police

    +++

    From Bobby Schindler (Terri’s brother)in response to
    Michael Masinter on disability-civil-rights yahoo
    group:

    >”On February 25, 1990, . . . Theresa, age 27, suffered a cardiac arrest as
    >a result of a potassium imbalance. Michael called 911, and Theresa was
    >rushed to the hospital. She never regained consciousness.

    Juan, the Appellate judges got it wrong right from the get go. It was
    never proven Terri had a cardiac arrest because of a potassium imbalance,
    and also, Michael ONLY called 911 after my father instructed him to. Michael
    called my father first to tell him that Terri collapsed. I guess it wasn’t
    important for the judges to mention that Michael knew CPR but didn’t use it
    on Terri that night.

    >Since 1990, Theresa has lived in nursing homes with constant care. She is
    >fed and hydrated by tubes. The staff changes her diapers regularly. She
    >has had numerous health problems, but none have been life threatening.

    Funny how they forgot to mention that there was a health problem that WAS
    life threatening, when Michael instructed his doctor in 1993 not to treat
    Terri for an infection she had that would have resulted in her death — by
    sepsis. And it’s incredible that it is hardly ever mentioned that Michael
    would have collected over 700 hundred thousand dollars, if he would have
    succeeded to kill Terri back then. But I guess that wasn’t important.
    Amazing how everyone just glosses over this fact.

    >Over the span of this last decade, Theresa’s brain has deteriorated because
    >of the lack of oxygen it suffered at the time of the heart attack.

    Terri DID NOT have a heart attack. This has been proven over and over again,
    but just like so much in this case, it keeps on being ignored.

    >By mid 1996, the CAT scans of her brain showed a severely abnormal
    >structure. At this point, much of her cerebral cortex is simply gone and
    >has been replaced by cerebral spinal fluid.

    Again, something that continually is ignored is Dr. Maxfield’s testimony
    that is completely contrary to this, as well as a dozen doctors that have
    all stated that Terri can be helped if given the chance. Do any of these
    people read the testimony of the doctors that testified regarding Terri’s
    chances to improve? Why do they only want to hear from one side in this
    case, and refuse to accept the fact that there are more doctors that say
    Terri can improve than doctors that say she can’t.

    >Medicine cannot cure this condition. Unless an act of God, a true miracle,
    >were to recreate her brain, Theresa will always remain in an unconscious,
    >reflexive state, totally dependent upon others to feed her and care for her
    > most private needs.”

    To have the audacity to mention God. Once again, I will repeat myself, why
    do they only want to hear from one side in this case, and as far as the
    judges saying that Terri will be totally dependent upon others to care for
    her the rest of her life — I say emphatically — so what! That is what her
    family is here for and has been asking — no, begging — to do since 1990.
    Incredibly, the judges use this as the REASON why we should kill Terri,
    because she is dependent on others. This absolutely makes me sick.

    >”Although the physicians are not in complete agreement concerning the
    >extent of Mrs. Schiavo’s brain damage, they all agree that the brain scans
    >show extensive permanent damage to her brain. The only debate between the
    >doctors is whether she has a small amount of isolated living tissue in her
    >cerebral cortex or whether she has no living tissue in her cerebral
    >cortex.”

    I repeat myself, shouldn’t this be an argument on reasons why we should let
    those that love her take care of her, NOT to simply starve my sister to
    death because she has become an inconvenience in the eyes of her husband and
    a few arrogant judges.

    Terri is not a problem, she is a person, and she is my family, our family.

    Bobby

  11. Wow, Julian, thanks. I know that when I’m on the fence about something, nothing convinces me quite like someone pasting four thousand, one hundred eighteen of someone else’s words into a blog comment. Remember: The more words, the more convincing it is.

    Ooh, extra points! There’s a link to an online petition! Oh, and sweet Jehosaphat, it’s a chain letter too!

    I’m really extra-super-duper convinced now.

    —Myca

  12. Juan, not Julian.

    Damn, damn, damn, damn.

  13. Juan Schoch says:

    Just tryin to get the word out.

    Regional Center for Independent Living
    1641 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
    http://www.rcil.org/

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 2, 2004

    For more information, contact C. Jean Penner, Communications and
    Outreach Coordinator, at 585-442-6470 v/tty, or 585-797-7260

    Green Ribbon Ceremony at RCIL Will Celebrate the Life — and Right to
    Live — of Terri Schindler-Schiavo

    The Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL) will host an outdoor
    green ribbon ceremony on Friday, June 4, 2004, in honor of the
    controversial struggle to preserve Terri Schindler-Schiavo’s right to
    live. The cermony will be held at RCIL, 1641 East Avenue in Rochester,
    at 12 noon, to commemorate Terri’s half-birthday. It will be free and
    open to the public.

    Those who attend will receive green tartan ribbons; part of a national
    campaign to raise awareness of this issue. The color green symbolizes
    life, while the tartan pattern symbolizes the diversity in human life,
    which includes — and embraces — disability. Additional ribbons will
    be available at RCIL for members of the community, free of charge;
    donations will be accepted by RCIL for the Terri Schindler-Schiavo
    Foundation.

    This national observance — the Life Ribbon Campaign — encourages
    community supporters to wear the ribbons until Terri comes home to her
    family.

    In 1990, Terri Schindler-Schiavo collapsed in the home she shared with
    her husband, Michael Schiavo. The cause of her collapse is unknown to
    this day. Terri receives food and water by way of a gastric feeding
    tube; and a battle rages currently in Florida courts, in which her
    husband is demanding the removal of the feeding tube, while her parents
    are fighting for her right to live, and challenging his right to act as
    her guardian.

    Terri originally fell into a coma but awakened from her comatose state
    weeks later. She was left in what medical professionals call a “locked
    in state” with limited abilities to communicate or move.

    To this day, Terri remains disabled. Though she is responsive to
    stimuli, interacts with her environment and her loved ones and is
    capable of communicating in limited ways, she is a disabled and
    vulnerable adult — requiring protection, therapy and the route to
    recovery. RCIL’s ceremony to honor her life will acknowledge the
    reality in our society that disability is too frequently equated with a
    “better off dead” presumption; and that this has sobering implications
    for all Americans with disabilities.

    “Despite any particular physical or mental impairments, life is our
    most precious gift,” states Todd Eggert, Executive Director of RCIL,
    “and with this effort, RCIL is choosing to positively support Terri’s
    right to life. Given that she is showing responsiveness and
    recognition of loved ones, how can anyone question that right?”

    During the first months that followed Terri’s mysterious collapse, she
    made progress. Medical practitioners noted her efforts to speak and her
    responsiveness. Terri, however, has not received meaningful therapy
    since 1991 on the orders of her husband. In 1998, Terri’s husband made
    his initial petition to the circuit courts of Pinellas County, Florida
    to end her life by removing her feeding tube. If he had been
    successful, Terri would have died of dehydration and starvation over
    the course of 10 to 14 days. Terri’s parents are fighting her husband,
    saying that her wish — if she were able to speak — would be for
    therapy and rehabilitation, rather than death from dehydration and
    starvation.

    In the most recent developments, over the objections of Florida
    Governor Jeb Bush, a Florida state appeals court has sent this case to
    the state’s highest court. The Florida Supreme Court will hear the case
    filed by Terri Schiavo’s estranged husband seeking to overturn a law
    Bush signed — Terri’s Law — that saved her life.

    The Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal approved a motion put forward
    by George Felos, the euthanasia advocate who is Michael Schiavo’s
    lawyer, asking the appeals court to let the Florida Supreme Court
    decide the case. But attorneys for the governor say they want the case
    halted while the issue of whether Michael should have the authority to
    speak for Terri is resolved.

    Governor Bush also said that Michael’s interests may conflict with
    Terri’s, implying it may be appropriate to appoint a new guardian on
    her behalf. But, Felos said the matter is so important that the
    state’s high court should decide the case.

    The appeals court agreed and, in granting Felos’ request, denied the
    Bush team an opportunity to gather further information showing that
    Terri would not want to be killed.

    The Florida Supreme Court can either take the case or tell the appeals
    court to hear it and issue a ruling before deciding to hear the
    lawsuit.

    Last August, the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal filed
    by Terri’s family of a local judge’s order allowing Michael to remove
    Terri’s feeding tube.

    For more information and actions to take please refer to the following
    links:

    http://www.terrisfight.org

    http://www.cogforlife.org/schiavo.htm

    http://heavenlyhands.net/terrislinks.html

    http://www.prayforterri.net

    ###

    C. Jean Penner
    Communications and Outreach Coordinator
    Regional Center for Independent Living
    1641 East Avenue
    Rochester, NY 14610

    585-442-6470 v/tty
    http://www.rcil.org

    ___
    pc93: ref -> Google -> Life Ribbon
    http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm

  14. Juan Schoch says:

    http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/9/prweb154415.htm

    FL AHCA Cover-Up Forces Schoch to Issue Public Writ of Mandamus

    A cover-up by the Florida AHCA (under Jeb Bush) in regards to the treatment and care of Theresa Schindler Schiavo, etc. forces Juan Schoch to issue a Public Writ of Mandamaus to various City, County, State and Federal officials.

    Tallahassee, FL (PRWEB) September 2, 2004 — The following public writ of mandamus was sent via Express Mail and certified letters to all parties in the letter on 8-28-04. It was also passed out to the media in Tallahassee the day before and on the day of the oral arguments before the Florida Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of HB 35-E/S 12-E (Public Law 03-418). This is my Public Writ of Mandamus. Each letter came with a mini cd of the AHCA documentation and other information which proves there is a cover-up. (Note: If you would like to represent or know someone who would like to represent this case please call Juan Schoch at 407-925-4141):

    August 28, 2004

    James D. Boyd
    Inspector General of AHCA
    2727 Mahan Drive
    Tallahassee, FL 32308-5403

    Re: All information, CCR#s, and yet to be assigned CCR#s contained
    and referred to in CIG#200406030002 and AHCA Tracking #05-003, etc.,
    other cases yet to be generated and your duties to set Theresa
    Schindler Schiavo on the road to her recovery (much can be found in
    the enclosed mini compact disc)

    Dear Mr. Boyd:

    Thank you for your letter of August 13, 2004 regarding my August 9,
    2004 e-mail requesting public records and copies of various agency
    documents. In your response you write “…the issues raised in your
    June 3 letter and July 20 e-mail did not show evidence of possible
    violations of statutes, policy or procedure that could constitute
    misconduct or wrongdoing on the part of agency staff…” to which I
    make the following statement and request:

    I demand as a United States citizen and a Florida resident
    sufficient corrective actions, remedies, redress, relief, etc. to
    what I perceive and know to be illegal actions of AHCA, facilities,
    etc. I hereby request AHCA and any other government agency or
    entity, local, county, state or federal invested with investigative,
    enforcement and prosecutorial powers who may be reading this, or
    others of whom it is within their purview of being able to contact
    said powers, etc. to do their jobs of investigating, enforcing or
    assisting in getting the laws enforced in regards to valid
    allegations of acts of felony neglect and attempted murder, etc.
    perpetrated against the person of Theresa Schindler Schiavo.

    While it is my duty (when it has come to my knowledge) as a resident
    of the State of Florida and a United States Citizen to report
    abuses, neglect or exploitations against vulnerable people who can’t
    speak for themselves it is NOT my job to site book and page. One
    would think that the competency level of all persons in agencies
    serving the public who by statute are to receive, properly review
    and survey complaints for violations of statutes, criminal
    violations, disregard for policies and procedures that are in fact
    evidence of misconduct or wrongdoing on the part of agency staff and
    facilities, persons, etc. would be much higher then heretofore
    displayed.

    I have provided, while perhaps to some seemingly disconnected or
    incongruent, sufficient, overall and comprehensive evidence to
    illuminate within the average persons mind and their reasonable
    ability to piece together and comprehend pertinent data, more than
    enough evidences of illegal conduct, which point to statute
    violations on the part of agency staff and facilities, etc. and it
    has become painfully clear that people in your and other agencies
    are spending more time sending not just me, but most complainants,
    relating to the matters presented, far afield from the matter at
    hand, of which there is or are:

    * Non-delivery of all 15 retained rights of this incapacitated
    person pursuant to Florida Statute 744.3215(1)(a-o) both
    individually and collectively as a whole

    * State licensed facilities bowing to the abuse of power by the
    guardian, his attorneys, local law enforcement, the state attorneys
    office, and other public officials to facilitate and further the
    denial and withholding of this citizens statutory and constitutional
    retained rights

    * Illegal acts and or omissions by many supervisory level personnel
    in many agencies and facilities, in non-fulfillment of their duty by
    those personnel pursuant to Florida Statute 415.1034 mandatory
    reporting to invoke and call upon protections under the
    whistleblowers act when their employment is threatened. Such and
    other failures are enabling, promoting and facilitating what appears
    to be an overall agenda of their various supervisors (and others)
    who indirectly and/or directly are working collectively (knowingly
    or unknowingly) pursuant to a directed agenda by the recently
    exposed many in positions of public trust

    In light of the fact that AHCA Complaint Administration Unit intake
    operator Justina told me that they “didn’t want to hear about what
    particular statute violations were occurring as it is the AHCA’s job
    to know these things,” and as I have stated above it is not my job
    to point out the specific violations of statutes, policy, or
    procedure that could constitute misconduct or wrongdoing on the part
    of agency staff, facilities, etc. (your words in bold), it should be
    obvious to you that while I am perfectly capable of seeing and
    reporting specific violations I was being told not to do this by the
    Complaint Administration Unit intake personnel. Now I am being told
    by you to the contrary that I must do your jobs. This in and of
    itself is evidence of an agency and a system that continues to
    notoriously exhibit incompetence in this matter, and only proves a
    limited ability to send the very people who you serve, on endless
    tail-chases and endless non-productive rabbit trails.

    While all of this energy is expended, the primary matter at hand,
    the FS825.102 and FS825.103 abuse, neglect and exploitation of
    Theresa Marie Schiavo continues at the liable hands of all agencies,
    various personnel and public officials, etc. to the detriment of not
    only her but all vulnerable adults, elderly and disabled persons
    throughout the State of Florida by the acts and omissions of every

    one of these negligent persons who are entrusted with the Public’s
    Trust.

    BE IT KNOWN, that everyone is officially on notice, that to continue
    to obey these illegal and subversive directives, of persons who wish
    to continue to further the obvious and blatant efforts to
    intentionally cause the death of this very conscious, self-aware,
    cognitive, disabled and vulnerable adult (who has been actively
    prevented from getting better) as defined by Florida Statute 415,
    744, 825, 400, 782, the ADA Act, and CFR42 rises to the level of
    felony crimes and is unlawful, collectively, pursuant to Florida
    Statute 876.22 through FS876.31 known as the Subversive Activities
    Act, in that the collective efforts, whether knowingly or
    unknowingly, of all the involved including medical professionals,
    public servants, facilities, guardians, caregivers, and others, is
    ultimately resulting in the destruction of all that we as free
    citizens enjoy as our constitutional protections, which are there to
    guarantee our inalienable right to life, liberty to that life, and
    the pursuit of happiness through our FS744.3215 retained right to be
    restored to capacity at the earliest possible time, which has no
    time limit.

    An Inalienable Right is particularly defined as: That which cannot
    be given or taken away. Thusly, a person cannot Give their Life away
    nor can it be Taken away. Both are crimes, and protections of life
    are networked rather thoroughly throughout our Laws and our
    Constitution.

    Consider this my public Writ of Mandamus to all (with various media
    as my witness) who will be receiving this letter, to cease and
    desist your acts or omissions which are felony crime statute
    violations, which may lead ultimately to this woman’s death by your
    incompetency, complacency, malfeasance, misfeasance, obedience to
    personal or collective agendas, disobedience of mandatory reporting
    of abuse, neglect and exploitations. This will require your
    proactive efforts in conjunction with other agencies and persons, to
    go against those who draw you in and only use you as pawns in a
    bigger agenda, by this case, to create a constitutional Right To
    Make You Dead. Investigate and prosecute the guilty parties. It is
    your obligation to set Theresa on the road to her recovery.

    Do your jobs or suffer the consequences in the long run for your
    participation in blatant, in your face, felony crimes.

    Sincerely,
    Juan Schoch / Lake Mary, FL

    P.S. I was never issued new CCR#’s per my written complaints (June
    3, 2004) and yet you have done nothing but obfuscate that fact. I
    find this more than just a little reprehensible and believe it shows
    the complete and total incompetence, if not outright obstruction of
    justice, by you, your staff, the AHCA Complaint Administration Unit
    and others in your agency. It would be smart to stop digging
    yourself a hole and get back on the right track.

    cc: Jeb Bush, Governor
    c/o Christa Calamas, Governor’s General Counsel,
    Charlie Crist, Attorney General,
    Lee Constantine, Senator, District 22,
    Derry Harper, Chief Inspector General, Executive Office of Governor,
    Dawn Case, Director of Investigations, Executive Office of Governor,
    Guy M. Tunnell, Commissioner, Florida Department of Law Enforcement,
    Lance Newman, Director, Tampa District Office, Florida Department of
    Law Enforcement,
    Cynthia Schuler, District Administrator of District 14, Department
    of Children and Families,
    Bernie McCabe, Pinellas Pasco State Attorney,
    Dorene Thomas, Chief of Police, Pinellas Park Police Department,
    Sid Klein, Chief of Police, Clearwater Police Department,
    Everett Rice, Pinellas County Sheriff,
    Carl Whitehead, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Tampa Division,
    John L. Wodatch, Chief, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights
    Section, U.S. Department of Justice,

    Representatives of House Committees Elder Affairs and Long Term
    Care, Family Health, Health Care and Health Services: Rep. Hugh
    Gibson / Rep. Dorothy Mindingall / Rep. Tom Anderson / Rep. Joyce
    Cusack / Rep. Carole Green / Rep. Richard Machek / Rep. Sheri
    McInvale / Rep. John Quinones / Rep. Dave Russell / Rep. Heather
    Florentino / Rep. Sandy Adams / Rep. Aaron Bean / Rep. Faye Culp /
    Rep. Nancy Detert / Rep. Matt Meadows / Rep. Sandra Murman / Rep.
    Nan Rich / Rep. Frank Farkas / Rep. Ed Homan / Rep. Holly Benson /
    Rep. Gus Bilirakis / Rep. Marty Bowen / Rep. Susan Bucher / Rep.
    Larry Cretul / Rep. Rene Garcia / Rep. Gayle Harrell / Rep. Arthenia
    Joyner / Rep. Stan Mayfield / Rep. Dave Murzin / Rep. Joe Negron /
    Rep. Ralph Poppell / Rep. Manuel Prieguez / Rep. Julio Robaina /
    Rep. Yolly Roberson / Rep. Ray Sansom / Rep. Eleanor Sobel / Rep.
    Shelley Vana / Rep. Roger Wishner / Rep. Juan Zapata

    Kate O’Beirne, Washington Editor, National Review / David Sommer,
    Reporter, Tampa Tribune / Brendan Farrington, Correspondent,
    Associated Press / Jim Witters, City Editor, Bradenton Herald / Mike
    Vasilinda, Bureau Chief, Capitol News Service / John Lucas, Bureau
    Chief, Florida News Network / Marshall Griffin, News Director,
    Florida Public Radio / John Baker, Bureau Chief, Florida’s Radio
    Networks / Rick Flagg, Bureau Chief, Florida Radio News / Jim
    Saunders, Bureau Chief, The Florida Times-Union / Paige St. John,
    Bureau Chief, Gannett News Service / Marc Caputo, Reporter, The
    Miami Herald / Lloyd Dunkelberger, Bureau Chief, New York Times
    Florida Newspapers / John Kennedy, Bureau Chief, Orlando Sentinel /
    Shirish Date, Bureau Chief, The Palm Beach Post / Lucy Morgan,
    Bureau Chief, St. Petersburg Times / Linda Kleindienst, Bureau
    Chief, Sun-Sentinel, South Florida / Nancy Cook Lauer, Bureau Chief,
    Tallahassee Democrat / David Wasson, Bureau Chief, Tampa Tribune /
    Georgia Davis, News Director, WFSU-TV/The Florida Channel / Jim
    Lehrer, NewsHour w/, PBS / Diane Sawyer, ABC News / Dan Rather, CBS
    News / Larry King, CNN/Atlanta / David Shaw, Media Critic, Los
    Angeles Times / Richard S. Newcombe, Creators Syndicate / Reed
    Irvine, Chairman, Emeritus, Accuracy in Media

    # # #

  15. mythago says:

    Wow. A crank letter in a good cause.

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  17. Sheelzebub says:

    Fucking hell. Add a hyperlink and cut it out with the cut-and-paste jobs. That’s annoying, and it’s not working. Sheesh.

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