Terri Schiavo Case

In the Gifted and Talented class, we have been working on a bioethics unit mainly about the Terri Schiavo case. This case was about a 26 year old woman named Terri Schiavo. She collapsed at home and oxygen was cut off to her brain for several minutes. She went in a coma due to the loss of oxygen. She got a little better and was able to breathe, maintain a heart beat and blood pressure, see, and slightly move her limbs. The only problem was that she needed a feeding tube to survive. Michael Schiavo(aka her terrible husband) wanted to end her life for several selfish reasons. There was a big debate between the husband and Terri's parents for her right to live. In the end, Michael Schiavo won and Terri's feeding tube was removed.

I believe it was right to remove the feeding tube and end her life for many reasons(even if the husband was a bad person). Even though she improved a little bit by moving her eyes and smiling her life isn't really worth living. I believe you should have a right to live, but to me her life sounded awful. I couldn't live for 15 years without tasting food, talking to friends and family, traveling, etc. Terri couldn't do any of these things. Her life was in her bedroom where she sat in all day. She couldn't taste food or fluently communicate with other people. I feel bad for her. She was probably lonly and depressed.

 

Is Terri Schiavo still a person? Is she the same person? I believe that Terri us a human being, and partially a person. She can still express some emotions, but she can't enjoy life. The first definition of person is a human, individual. Terri wasn't an individual to me because she couldn't express her feelings and be herself. She is not the same person as before. Terri had no freedom to choose what she wants. Her husband, parents, doctors, and nurses decided her life after the accident. She isn't really living her life.

 

*****Here are some reasons why I dont like Terri's husband. If you want to read more, click the link in the first paragraph(it is the one that says terrible husband).*****

 

Has not allowed therapy or rehabilitation since late 1992, despite medical records indicating Terri is responsive.

Has prevented swallowing tests or swallowing therapy since 1993, despite medical testimony Terri can be taught to eat.

Ordered caretakers not to clean Terri’s teeth since 1995, resulting in removal of five teeth in April 2004.

Placed Terri in hospice in 2000, despite the fact she is not terminally ill.

Refuses to allow Terri to leave her room. She has not been outside since 2000.

Has refused to fix her wheelchair since 2000.

Refuses to allow Terri to practice her Catholic faith by attending weekly mass.

Ordered Terri’s shades down at all times.

Ordered doctors not to treat Terri when she had a life threatening infection in 1993 and 1995.

Removes family pictures from Terri’s room, denies flowers from family and friends, denies certain CDs to be played for Terri, and refuses to allow her to listen to music with headphones.

Refuses to release medical information to her parents since 1993, despite a court order requiring him to do so.

Has limited the visitors list, requiring they must first be approved by him and removes visitors at his own discretion. Schiavo removed the Schindlers from the visitors list a total of eight months between 2001 and 2004.

Denies all requests for Terri to attend nursing home functions and refuses to allow therapeutic animals to visit with her, knowing that she is an animal lover.

*****Ms. Mystrena I have links, but they are pink and you cannot see them. I have three links.*****