March 17, 2005

There's a lot of internet

There's a lot of internet activity going on. And most of you are looking for information about Terri. You came to this site because I, with the help of ProLifeBlogs, host an index of many bloggers' posts about Terri. Stay and read a few, but first in case you didn't know.

Someone woke up this morning. She opened her eyes and to her surprise she saw her family and she laughed. She wasn't expecting them, for so many times they aren't able to visit. And when they do visit someone seems to always rush them out. But lately it seems they are coming more. She smiles and tries to speak. Her head sometimes aches with the pain of trying to reach out to them, her heart sometimes aches more.

But it's okay most of the time. Especially when they are there and it's not so lonely. Sometimes it is scary, the place where she stays is dark and when no one visits it is so quiet. During these times she tries to make a sound, just to make sure she is still there. But today it is not scary. If she listens hard, she thinks she hears a bird from outside singing. And her mom is here! She is smiling and laughing and talking. Mom always has something to say. Her Daddy is laughing too. It seems so forced though. She can tell by the mumbling and whispers that something is else is happening.

Her mom has tears in her eyes and now is telling her how much she loves her. How much she believes in her. Yes, dear sweet mom, always knowing more than she can express. And her dad is holding her hand. Her brother ...Why is he crying? Why are they all crying? What did she do? Have they finally after all this time given up on her?

Her family is reluctantly forced away, she hears wails and sobs now. The nurses take her.

She awakes unsure what has happened. Her body a little sore. After a while, she begins to feel a little hunger, then the feeling intensifies...is this like the last time? When she thought she would die? Will she die?

What did she do to deserve to die?

But Terri Schiavo is in a persistent vegetated state. She won't feel a thing, right? Right, Michael? Your doctors say so, they've examined her for months and months and all of the recommended medical tests have been done, right? Right, Michael?


Terri?s diagnosis was arrived at without the benefit of testing that most neurologists would consider standard for diagnosing PVS. One such test is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). MRI is widely used today, even for ailments as simple as knee injuries ? but Terri has never had one. Michael has repeatedly refused to consent to one. The neurologists I have spoken to have reacted with shock upon learning this fact. One such neurologist is Dr. Peter Morin. He is a researcher specializing in degenerative brain diseases, and has both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Boston University.

But still think of all the time, those doctor's spent with Terri, maybe they didn't need a MRI. Right?

So, did Dr. Cranford, or any of the doctors testifying for Michael Schiavo, spend months evaluating Terri? No. To be fair, none of the doctors appearing for the Schindlers spent months with Terri either. But it is hardly coincidental that the doctors who spent the most time with Terri came to the conclusion that she is not PVS. The doctors brought in by the Schindlers spent approximately 14 hours examining Terri over more than two weeks; their conclusion was that Terri is not PVS, and that she may benefit from therapy.

In marked contrast, Dr. Cranford examined Terri on one occasion, for approximately 45 minutes. Another doctor for Michael Schiavo, Dr. Peter Bambikidis of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, examined Terri for about half an hour. When Dr. Bell learned of the cursory nature of these exams, he said: ?You can?t do this. To make a diagnosis of PVS based on one examination is fallacious.? In Cranford?s examination, described by one witness as ?brutal,? he discounted evidence under his own eyes of Terri?s responsiveness. At one point, Dr. Cranford struck Terri very hard on the forehead between her eyes. Terri recoiled and moaned, seemingly in pain. In his court testimony, Cranford dismissed the reaction and moan as a ?reflex.?

But that doesn't really matter right? Right, Michael?

You received your diagnosis. Your wife was deemed worthless and tomorrow you will, with the court's blessing kill her. Right, Michael? That is what you want. To be able to "move on" with your life? The life you seem to already be living with a live-in girlfriend and two children by her...

Is it too late for Terri? No. The Florida House of Representatives passed legislation to help Terri but it is being held up in the Senate. Because some don't care enough about a life to get beyond games. Is Terri's life worthless? Not to her mom and her dad. Not to millions of people who are praying that she be spared. Not to me, and she shouldn't be to you,either.

Take a moment and call or email a Florida Senator. Let them know you support the bill that will help save Terri. Also know that in the US Congress, a bill passed the Senate today and is waiting on House approval before coming law. These legislatures need to be reminded the urgency of the case.

Then pray for the that dear soul who will wake up tomorrow morning and laugh and smile when she sees her mother's face...


Posted by Jody at March 17, 2005 10:58 PM | TrackBack
Comments
Post a comment









Remember personal info?