A very nice graduate student found a comment of mine that I made on another blog regarding Terri. She is researching charity and wrote to ask me a few thoughtful questions about blogging for Terri. Sometimes I begin a project (like this blog) without examining my actions and without full understanding of what I hope to accomplish. I hope she doesn't mind but I thought I'd answer some of her questions here and I encourage others to ask themselves these same questions. So here is why I blog for Terri.

Keledy's questions:

My first remembrance of the Terri Schiavo story was a couple of years ago. My first thought? I would never want to live that way, I hope I am never in that position. Michael Schiavo battling against his nut job in-laws who wouldn't let go. He was her husband, let her do what she wants. She's just in some coma somewhere not doing anyone any good.

I can see the other side of this story and why so many feel the way they do, because I once felt that way. The most significant thing that has happened to me since I first felt that way is that I am a mother. I have grown up and I have slowly learned that my opinions are not always correct. My first impressions can be wrong. And I can change my mind and admit mistakes. This is a lesson I am still learning.

When Evy is sick I anguish in her pain. When she hurts, I hurt. I want to cry everytime she cries. I make sure she is fed and clothed and bathed. I try to teach her songs and we sing the ABC's. She knows "the chair" is where she goes when she is bad. She is our joy. She is our hope. I know all too soon, she will grow up and leave her parents. And we will watch in pride and aprehension.

You see, now I understand those "nut job in-laws" who refuse to let go. If God forbid, the same were to happen to my precious little girl, we would not stop until God came down Himself and took her. We would refuse to give up our hope and our joy. Yes, now I can understand the fight to save Terri's life. Especiallyafter I heard about Terri Schiavo's true condition.

The media would lead you to believe that Terri is in a coma or in a persistent vegetated state. She is not. Every morning she wakes up, she looks around, she responds. The media would tell you she is brain dead. The smiles she gives her parents would refute this. The media will tell you that Michael has no other motivation but Terri's last wish to let her go. But this is about Terri, a devout Catholic who many say would never want any part in euthanasia.

This is also about life. That all life has worth and that no one should be able to take away what God has given.

What do I hope to accomplish? I can't speak to all my fellow bloggers whose efforts I appreciate more than anything. I can only tell you my dream. I want Terri to be given a chance. With Sarah Scantlin being able to talk after 20 years of no communication, with medical research understanding more fully the human brain and its compacity to continue to think and feel even when damaged; I think Terri deserves more. I want her parents to be able to hear her laugh and see her smile. Her family to be able to take care of her.

I hope that my tiny blog along with so many others will help get the truth out there. Maybe there are others like me who just hadn't taken the time to know the full story. If we could reach the right legislator or the right reporter or the right doctor or lawyer or activist, then just maybe Terri could be saved. I will continue my efforts until the end. If Terri does dies by the gruesome death of starvation, I will only hope that more people through my blog knew that this was murder, that this was a destruction of a life. And if more people know, then maybe it will never happen again. One can dream.

I wrote these words a few weeks ago regarding the power of a blog:

But the intricate value in blogging is that your words can become a call to action. The person in Iowa can inspire the person three blocks down the road from Terri's hospice to go out and hold a sign. The poor college student can have the words of encouragement that leads the rich CEO to donate money. The busy working mother of a two year old can write emails to the legislature and to other bloggers to have them join the fight. Every blogger has the ability to reach someone, and in this case, where the truth is not being heard. It is our responsibility.

I am that busy working mother of a two year old. If I am writing before 9pm, most likely Evelyn is on my lap. I am in Florida but have not yet had the opportunity to participate in person in one of the events. I think that this blog is my way. Yes, some may accuse me of "slacktivism" but remember the parable of the talents. Each man was given to his ability, and each man was expected to use what he was given. Some of us were given the ability and availability to be there physically with Terri's fight. Some were given the ability to donate funds. Others were given a small place on the internet where they manage to string a few sentences together and maybe just maybe inspire others to join the fight.