vegetable stand
30 03 2005By now, probably anyone who’s reading this has at least heard of the Terri Schiavo case. Basically, she’s been a vegetable since 1990 when she suffered severe brain damage from cardiac arrest believed to have been brought on by bulimia. Her husband has sought to have her feeding tube removed and let her die and her family has fought him every step of the way to keep her alive.
First off, I’d like to announce to everyone that if I’m ever in a state similar to that of Mrs. Schiavo where my life is sustained solely through life support systems and there’s basically no chance that will ever change, pull the [expletive]ing plug. I’d much rather be dead. For all intents and purposes I’d be dead before the plug was pulled anyway, which is why I can’t understand why so many people are trying to keep this poor woman alive. I can understand that her family doesn’t want to see their daughter/sister leave this world, but those reasons have to be purely selfish at this point. I can’t honestly believe that a person would prefer that type of drawn out, fruitless existence over just dying.
Some would argue that her husband and the courts shouldn’t be allowed to decide that she should die, but I see them as being hypocritical. Interfering with her life is apparently okay only when it supports their point of view.
I just feel horrible for this woman and her husband. Let her go, people. It’s been fifteen years, and she can’t possibly be happy (nevermind the fact that she probably doesn’t know who she or anyone else is at this point).
Terri Schiavo herself helps prove my point at her blog [Ed. note: Terri Schiavo’s blog is in no way associated with zesticle.com].
I might have named this topic the “Produce Section” but what do I know. Mr. Shiavo has been trying to let his wife have some peace for years now. Many proclaim that he just wants insurance money. Her heart has not pumped oxygen to the brain for 15 years now which would make her brain dead. The doctors, however, are able to do this for it (her heart) and therefore life goes on. The latest doctor to examine her said there is no hope and gave the thumbs up for letting her pass. The doctor who said there was still hope didn’t even do a medical examination. This is not euthanasia, she’s dead. Not dying but technically dead.
The comparisons of Terri to the handicaped and other same and similar I think are way out of line. I think it’s those comparisons and the media drawing similarities between Terri and those who can live without being kept alive is what’s driving the majority of people in this nation into a frenzy. If a Priest goes on camera and disagrees with keeping her alive for religious reasons, theres another angle. Speaking of that angle, if she (Terri) was a Scientologist, she would have been dead 15 years ago.
I, like Chris, would prefer to be let go. I believe in heaven and would prefer to spend the rest of my journey there instead of stuck in some bed. I believe people like Terri arent put in that position for us to help them. They are put in that position for them to help us. Terri is a special person who is able in her inability to teach us and the world a lot about life.
I think this whole situation is just crazy! I do have mixed feelings about the situaton. I sometimes think that she really wants to go ahead and die, because what kind of a life is sitting in a bed!! The other part of me thinks that she probably felt that she wouldn’t want to be kept alive aritificially until it happened to her. Now that she is actually in this kind of a situation, she may be happy that she is still alive. Who knows? I guess she is brain dead, so what are they keeping alive? Her body so they don’t miss her? you would think that her family has missed her for 15 years!! I thought that she was in a car accident too…I didn’t know that she had bulimia! Who knew?! It’s definitely a tough situation for everyone involved. I don’t think that I would want to live in a bed the rest of my life. Especially if I can’t even acknowledge the people that come to visit. Just let me go too.
I agree. Let it be known throughout the land that at no time does the woman referred to as “Raindroplady” wish to be kept alive via artifical devices or machinery! Also, if any SOB puts videos of me in that condition on national TV - I will kick their butts all the way to hades when they pass over to the other side!!!:evil: I think Terri’s parents are sick, sick people. (Just in case anyone wondered) So blinded by their own needs that they have totally left the ball park of reason and caring for their child.
Dear Chris,
Your blog is getting very political.
I’m not trying to be political, but occasionally I like to touch on current events.
I have to say that in my time as a CNA working in countless nursing homes and childrens homes, I’ve seen family do this to people over and over again. People who exist via machines have no real existence at all. If it were me, pull the damn plug, don’t EVER put me on feeding tubes, tracheotomies, life support, etc…unless it is MORE than likely I will survive. Living in Terri Schiavo’s condition is not living. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a family member of one of these invalids say “I just don’t know how to let them go”. Suck it up and do it, damn it.
A man I used to care for had been assisting someone with a tire change when he was struck by a drunk driver on the side of the highway. I found out later that if his wife chose to stop his feedings and let him pass, she would then lose insurance benefits (which are triple SS). He only gets out of bed when you use a lift to move him. He never gets showered because the chairs/shower beds used do not allow for someone in his condition to use them. God only knows when the last time was he had his hair shampooed without “waterless shampooer”. He only lives in memory, but damn if she loses the money and lets him die peacefully, right? It happens all over the world every day, people like Terry. The only difference in her and all the others is that dirty politicians and well intentioned but moronic parents had to step in and put Terry through more. Let this be a lesson in how important a living will is.
A warning to all my family…don’t ever let me be one of those people. I’m
with Raindroplady on this one…I will haunt and kick whoever’s ass let me suffer in that condition. And you have my promise-I will never let one of my family members suffer. You might not feel pain when you are braindead, but it is suffering no less. It isn’t political- it is something that families and people need to discuss so we are all on the same page if the time ever comes that we should need to know. God knows I would want someone to respect my body and my life enough to do what was best and let me carry on in whatever fashion it is that you carry on when you die.