Witnessing Terri's demise has been

Witnessing Terri's demise has been to say the least, traumatic; for a judge to take away food and water is too Nazi-like. But to be fair, I have attempted to play the Devil's advocate with my thoughts. Is there a possibility that Michael is really following Terri's wishes? Yes, that could be a possibility. Is it possible that he loves her so much that he would rather see her go to our Creator than suffer with mental challenges? Yes, also a possibility. But reviewing all of the other information leaves me with the opinion that he simply wants her dead.

He has denied her rehab for 13 years; no swallow test for 13 years; hasn't allowed her to be bathed; wouldn't allow her caretakers to brush her teeth leading to 5 extractions; has not allowed her outside in 5 years; has ordered shades down; denied treatments for infections; no pictures, flowers, or music; refuses to release medical records; has denied visitation for her parents; and here in her last days he's refusing her right to daily communion. He even went so far as to get a court order that the only priest allowed to give her communion was the hospice priest. Terri has been receiving communion from her priest weekly for the last five years. When her priest attempted to give her communion he had to hold the hand of the hospice priest so the court order wouldn't be violated.

Then there is the money matter; for the first two years he appeared to want her rehabilitated, but as soon as he received the malpractice money he did an about-face. And how it took him seven years to suddenly remember "Terri said no tubes". Lastly, how he has gone about killing her makes serial killers look merciful. Terri would have been better off with Michael having five minutes alone in her room with her and a really big pillow. Does all of that information sound like a person who wants the best for their spouse?

We are all now faced with the question of 'would we want to continue living in this condition'; this conversation has now become the norm across our nation and we are all just a car accident away from being Terri Schiavo. My guess is that most would not want to continue to live if they were in Terri's situation, myself included. But do any of us have the right to judge what is a worthwhile existence? Is the person in this situation so unaware of their personal losses involved with a traumatic brain injury that that part of the equation is void? Is visits from loved ones, the sun shining on your face, and the taste of strawberry-banana jello exciting and joyous enough to you to justify your existence? Can you still feel love? Unfortunately the only ones that can answer those questions are incapable of vocalizing their answers.

Whose life is worthwhile? When this is broken down it is essentially genocide, not ethnic genocide, but nevertheless, genocide. A group of leaders who have decided which individuals have the right to live. I have known many people throughout the years that I consider a waste of oxygen. Why do these people have the right to live and Terri doesn't? Has she ever physically harmed anyone? Has she ever sold drugs? Has she ever molested children? So why is her life so invaluable and the criminal who has actually hurt others be protected?

This, again is why I believe in God. He created this world to be a perfect one, but when man is given the choice he often chooses sin and death. I look forward to the day when God does laundry; I'm not perfect, I'll have things outed as well, but knowing that there is One who is ultimately in charge brings me great hope and comfort. The peace that surpasses all understanding.

**Just Because You Have The Right To Do Something Does Not Mean That It's The Right Thing To Do**

Posted by Stacy at March 30, 2005 10:15 AM | TrackBack