Terri Schiavo's father has died

[Justice4all]

The father of Terri Schiavo, who became a national symbol in a closely watched right-to-die fight, died Saturday in Florida. Robert Schindler was 71.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-08-29-schiavo-father-obit_N.htm?csp=34


RIP Robert :rose:

[aproudmom]

:crying:I will never forget what this family went through I remember waiting to hear everyday Terri had passed on and she kept fighting much longer than most thought and even changed my will due to what happened in her case...

RIP you are with your little girl

[aproudmom]

that was a sad case, Bush should never of gotten involved..

I wish their family well, and may Roy Schindler rest in peace :rose:

from the article...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-08-29-schiavo-father-obit_N.htm?csp=34

"An autopsy supported Michael Schiavo's contention that she was in a persistent vegetative state with no consciousness and no hope of recovery."

IMO that had nothing to do with Bush her parents and siblings wanted to take care of her but her hubby who wanted to get married and had a child was done with her and wanted to move on he did not even respect their wishes on how she was laid to rest we put animals down and murderers with euthanasia not starving them that is what bothered me the most...so I sure made a point to changed my will...she was moving her head around and followed balloons so she was not in some deep comma was she suddenly going to be back to herself NO but why not allow her parents to take over all care her hubby was a total Jerk IMO...it was a he said and she could not say because she SOME HOW ended up like that...but guess it does not matter her and her father are together once again may they rest in peace..:rose::rose:

[vonna]

:rose::rose: RIP. This is what I never understood. The Mom and Dad wanted to be by her side forever, until she died. Why not let them do so? Why did the husband have to "let her go"? He surely did not need to be involved with Terry's care. He had a new family.

If you don't like the law the way it is currently written - write your legislators to change it. Maybe then you can have the parents of a married person make all the decisions.

[mschris32]

If I were ever in that horrible condition, I would WISH that my husband would act like Terry's husband did. I thought it was selfish of the parents to want her to live that miserable life for who knows how many years?

Following balloons with her eyes.....as if THAT is some sort of gauge of whether a person is living any kind of meaningful life. The whole unfortunate business should never have been played out like some sick soap opera.

[Search4U]

if i were ever in that horrible condition, i would wish that my husband would act like terry's husband did. I thought it was selfish of the parents to want her to live that miserable life for who knows how many years?

Following balloons with her eyes.....as if that is some sort of gauge of whether a person is living any kind of meaningful life. The whole unfortunate business should never have been played out like some sick soap opera.


......ita!

[Bill Justice]

:rose::rose: RIP. This is what I never understood. The Mom and Dad wanted to be by her side forever, until she died. Why not let them do so? Why did the husband have to "let her go"? He surely did not need to be involved with Terry's care. He had a new family.

He wanted to get married to the woman he was living with and had her two children. Just like Scott Peterson, I don't understand why he did not get a divorce.

[Amused]

If I were ever in that horrible condition, I would WISH that my husband would act like Terry's husband did. I thought it was selfish of the parents to want her to live that miserable life for who knows how many years?

Following balloons with her eyes.....as if THAT is some sort of gauge of whether a person is living any kind of meaningful life. The whole unfortunate business should never have been played out like some sick soap opera.

I agree with the "soap opera" circus that occurred.

But, "meaningful life"? Who decides who has a meaningful life.
If an individual does not have one, do we kill them?

YIKES.

[Pat]

If I were ever in that horrible condition, I would WISH that my husband would act like Terry's husband did. I thought it was selfish of the parents to want her to live that miserable life for who knows how many years?

Following balloons with her eyes.....as if THAT is some sort of gauge of whether a person is living any kind of meaningful life. The whole unfortunate business should never have been played out like some sick soap opera.

IMO, the "fight" with the parents started over money and escalated from there. To have this case end up where the Republican Party involved themselves, members who were no better informed than the general public who never read the court documents in this very sad affair or her Guardian Ad-Litem's testimony, was an absolute disgrace. Bill Frist's behavior, as Senate Majority Leader, probably cost him a run for the Presidency. Good. Anyone who would make the statements he did at the time didn't deserve the confidence of the American people to trust his judgment.

Everyone's behavior was beyond the pale, from Sean Hannity to that nutty priest, to reporters who sensationalized the case, to people who demonized the husband but never bothered to read the court documents, or the final autopsy report...which did not support the contention he was responsible for her condition in the first place, or that she had an ounce of cognitive ability. For her parents and siblings to throw out innuendo that her husband was responsible for condition, and to allow others to accuse him of trying to kill her, was absolutely disgraceful. They were all best buds until money entered the picture and her husband wouldn't give her father half.

Her autopsy confirmed what every reputable doctor said early on...she was a vegetable. Period. The Catholic Church said removing her feeding tube was within Church guidelines. There were all kinds of agendas going on under the radar, none which really had a thing to do with that poor girl.

All those who libeled and slandered her husband? Where were the apologies when that final autopsy proved they were wrong?

The only good to come out of that disgraceful episode was it woke people up to discuss these issues with their families and to put it in writing.

I hope someone writes a book about the Terry Schiavo case someday...not one faith-based. A book about the true facts, based on the court documents and records and interviews with her doctors.

[Details]

He wanted to get married to the woman he was living with and had her two children. Just like Scott Peterson, I don't understand why he did not get a divorce.Because, unlike Scott Peterson, he was loyal to his wife.

He was offered money to let her go - he lost plenty, and gained nothing, to keep fighting to have HER wishes honored. He spent plenty, when hope was still possible, to get her the best treatment possible. Had he divorced her, he would have abandoned that fight, his rights to fight for her wishes.

Who knows you better - the current you, not the childhood you - your parents - or your spouse? The law says the spouse decides. The medical information was all behind him - no edited video creating an illusion changes that fact. The autopsy proved he, and her doctors, were entirely right.


I feel sorry for Terri's father - I know they were doing what they thought was right. Many people were trying to use his daughter, with a variety of agendas - a quack who sold hope to the most desperate of people, people looking to make a political point with his daughter as the pawn. Any of us could have been right there in his shoes, believing our child was not dead, could be saved. Who wouldn't want to believe that?

[Details]

I agree with the "soap opera" circus that occurred.

But, "meaningful life"? Who decides who has a meaningful life.
If an individual does not have one, do we kill them?

YIKES.There is no "individual" without a brain. That's all we are, our ability to have experiences, however minor, to feel, however little. The autopsy proved what the doctors had been saying - there was no more brain, no more living brain. Just the stem, the primitive bit that does the automatic reflexes - keeps the heart beating, eyes blinking. Nothing there of the brain that thinks, feels.

Her husband was in the best position to know her wishes. He spent years fighting to save her, getting her the best care, every possible treatment. But finally - it was over, no hope remained, the tests showed she was gone.

[txsage]

IMO, Removing a feeding tube is not killing someone. It is allowing the body to do what it is ready to do......shut down. One should be allowed to do so.

May Mr. Shaivo rest in peace.

[Hey Paula]

Rest in Peace Mr Schindler as you are reunited with your beloved Terri.

In Memory of Robert :rose:

In Memory of Terri :rose:

Thinking of the Schindler Family in their time of grief. :rose:

[txsage]

Pat, yu took the words right out of my fingertips. I can't type that good anymore.

ITA, notagain......but you type just fine! Hope your recovery is going well!

[Pat]

IMO, Removing a feeding tube is not killing someone. It is allowing the body to do what it is ready to do......shut down. One should be allowed to do so.



The representatives for the Catholic Church's policy on this very thing were interviewed many times on many TV stations and in the media...and said the very same thing.

[*Pia]

:rose::rose::rose:
My thoughts and prayers with the family.

In my opinion no one was wrong here....and no one was right. I did agree with the Schindler's way past Terri's death but after letting the emotion calm down, I do understand Michael's side of this. I do know that if I was in Terri's condition I would not ever want to be kept alive.


Mr. Schindler...Now you are with Terri and all your questions have been answered...RIP...

[RootBeer]

As the husband abandoned her for another woman, why not give control over to the parents who did not abandon her??????????:sad::sad:
Write the legislators???? Now that is a concept!!!!! In the mean time, while waiting foar the law to change, the husband could have followed their wishes. Maybe give Guardianship over to the Parents who were more then willing to take care of Terry.

Her husband became a nurse to take care of her. He did take care of her for years. Maybe you should read his book?

[momof6]

IMO, the "fight" with the parents started over money and escalated from there. To have this case end up where the Republican Party involved themselves, members who were no better informed than the general public who never read the court documents in this very sad affair or her Guardian Ad-Litem's testimony, was an absolute disgrace. Bill Frist's behavior, as Senate Majority Leader, probably cost him a run for the Presidency. Good. Anyone who would make the statements he did at the time didn't deserve the confidence of the American people to trust his judgment.

Everyone's behavior was beyond the pale, from Sean Hannity to that nutty priest, to reporters who sensationalized the case, to people who demonized the husband but never bothered to read the court documents, or the final autopsy report...which did not support the contention he was responsible for her condition in the first place, or that she had an ounce of cognitive ability. For her parents and siblings to throw out innuendo that her husband was responsible for condition, and to allow others to accuse him of trying to kill her, was absolutely disgraceful. They were all best buds until money entered the picture and her husband wouldn't give her father half.

Her autopsy confirmed what every reputable doctor said early on...she was a vegetable. Period. The Catholic Church said removing her feeding tube was within Church guidelines. There were all kinds of agendas going on under the radar, none which really had a thing to do with that poor girl.

All those who libeled and slandered her husband? Where were the apologies when that final autopsy proved they were wrong?

The only good to come out of that disgraceful episode was it woke people up to discuss these issues with their families and to put it in writing.

I hope someone writes a book about the Terry Schiavo case someday...not one faith-based. A book about the true facts, based on the court documents and records and interviews with her doctors.

You said quite a few people did not read the documents. Do you have a link to that.
Did you read the documents? I was so sad for her parents. They did not want to see her starve to death. I cannot imagine my child starving to death and I had no say.

[Details]

Never. All he had to do was pass her care onto her parents and go his way.All he had to do was disregard her wishes completely. That's true.

I hope, should that awful situation ever happen, that my husband would be as loyal to me, and what I wanted. He took care of her for so many years. Got her the best care, every treatment that might help. And when the time came, when there was no more hope, he went for the only resolution SHE wanted, even when it cost him death threats, a partial life, continual fighting.

[Details]

You said quite a few people did not read the documents. Do you have a link to that.
Did you read the documents? I was so sad for her parents. They did not want to see her starve to death. I cannot imagine my child starving to death and I had no say.But - wouldn't you want HER to have a say? My grandmother starved herself to death - her choice. I would NEVER have considered for an instant interceding to put my choices above hers.

[Bill Justice]

Her husband became a nurse to take care of her. He did take care of her for years. Maybe you should read his book?



Maybe you should not believe everything you read especially by a man who wants his physically disabled wife dead so he can marry his lover.

[Bill Justice]

But - wouldn't you want HER to have a say? My grandmother starved herself to death - her choice. I would NEVER have considered for an instant interceding to put my choices above hers.

she never had her say..

she was snuffed because of his say...

[Pat]

You said quite a few people did not read the documents. Do you have a link to that. Did you read the documents? I was so sad for her parents. They did not want to see her starve to death. I cannot imagine my child starving to death and I had no say.

BBM...Oh, please! How weak is that! And how do I know "many, many" DID NOT read the court filings or the Guardian ad Litem's (Terry Schiavo's Guardian ad Litem) report to the Court? By the way these people discussed the case at the time and the way it is being discussed now.

I read every word, to include the judge's ruling on the Schindler's witnesses and the medical credentials and "expert" opinions of the two doctors they brought in to substantiate their claim that Terry Schiavo was not brain dead and "aware" of her surroundings. And the medical credentials and findings of the doctors who said she was. The autopsy supported those doctor's findings that she had a functioning brain stem and nothing else. The court documents also detail what Michael Schiavo did for Terry, and it might surprise you. So would the Guardian ad Litum's report. I was very sympathetic towards the Schindlers until I researched this case. There came a point in time when this was no longer about Terry, but a battle between them and Michael Schiavo. Some of the facts are not pretty and don't paint the Schindlers in a very nice light. But I will say...they were used by special interest groups to push their own agendas. I've often wondered how long these people were there for the Schindlers once the glare of the TV cameras and microphones were gone.

I no longer have the links for the court documents, but if you are really interested, they would not be hard to find. As would the reports written at them time about the relationship between the Schindlers and Michael Schiavo and why it went sour.

Most people discuss this case based on their own emotions, their own fears that someone would/could "pull the plug" on them when they are still cognisant, not on the real facts of this particular case.

MO

[Pat]

she never had her say..

she was snuffed because of his say...

That's low. You and I both know she wasn't "snuffed" and that it is an offensive expression. Terry Schiavo wasn't capable of "having her say"...she wasn't capable of anything.

You may disagree with other's opinions, but to call her husband a murderer because you personally disagree with what he thought was in Terry's best interest, whose opinions, I might add, was supported by doctors, says more about you than him.

The Catholic Church was very clear on their stance in the matter of removing feeding tubes when that is the only thing keeping a patient alive. He did nothing that was in contradiction of the teachings of their church.

[Bill Justice]

the man "manned up" and battled FOR his wife and for her expressed wishes - not against her. I'm saddened to see someone compare him to the weasley wimp Scott Peterson. Perhaps you can tell me something - I gather you don't believe that she would not have wanted to continue to live the way she was:
1. why would YOU want to live in a vegetative state?

2. Do you have your wishes in writing so that the hospital will know that you want to survive whether your brain is functioning or not. For how long?

My wishes are in writing.

I am sure my ex would pull the plug right now, if she would benefit by it.:biggrin:

[blueberri]

That's low. You and I both know she wasn't "snuffed" and that it is an offensive expression. Terry Schiavo wasn't capable of "having her say"...she wasn't capable of anything.

You may disagree with other's opinions, but to call her husband a murderer because you personally disagree with what he thought was in Terry's best interest, whose opinions, I might add, was supported by doctors, says more about you than him.

The Catholic Church was very clear on their stance in the matter of removing feeding tubes when that is the only thing keeping a patient alive. He did nothing that was in contradiction of the teachings of their church.Yes, the Roman Catholic church was very clear on their stance in the matter......"ROME, Italy (CNN) -- It is rare for Vatican officials to publicly discuss ongoing legal matters.

But in the case of Terri Schiavo -- a brain-damaged American woman who has been kept alive for 15 years -- they have taken the unusual step of harshly criticizing the removal of her feeding tube.

They say the procedure amounts to nothing less than a ruthless way to kill a person.

"It is euthanasia," says Javier Lozano, of the Pontiff's Council for Health.

Schiavo is at the center of a legal battle over her life -- a battle between her husband and parents, and between politician and judges." http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/22/schiavo.vatican/ May Terri's Dad rest in peace, God bless him; no one should have to watch their child starve to death. The people who supported Michael Schaivo should hang their heads in disgrace that this barbaric act was allowed to happen in a civilized country, shame, shame, shame on you!

[RayStar]

Pat thank you for your posts on this thread especially this morning.
After reading how Michael continued to care for his ailing wife, I was very much impressed.

RIP Mr. Schindler

[blueberri]

That's low. You and I both know she wasn't "snuffed" and that it is an offensive expression. Terry Schiavo wasn't capable of "having her say"...she wasn't capable of anything.

You may disagree with other's opinions, but to call her husband a murderer because you personally disagree with what he thought was in Terry's best interest, whose opinions, I might add, was supported by doctors, says more about you than him.

The Catholic Church was very clear on their stance in the matter of removing feeding tubes when that is the only thing keeping a patient alive. He did nothing that was in contradiction of the teachings of their church."Vatican City, Mar 14, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The removal of Terri Schindler Schiavo’s feeding tube would be “direct euthanasia,” a Vatican official said last week. Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, told Vatican Radio that the severely disabled 41-year-old Florida woman "should be considered a living human, deprived of full conscience, whose juridical rights should be recognized, respected and defended."

The bishop referred to the court decision, which granted Schiavo’s husband the legal right to remove her feeding tube, as “illicit.” The court ruled that the tube could be removed this week, March 18.

"The removal of the gastric probe from her, in these conditions, could be considered direct euthanasia, because it is an integral part of the way in which Terri Schiavo can be fed and hydrated,” Bishop Sgreccia said on Vatican Radio’s One O Five Live program.

“As far as we can see, prohibiting someone access to food and water represents a ruthless way to kill that person,” he continued. “We feel it our duty to affirm that such a decision goes against the rights of Terri Schiavo and therefore constitutes an abuse of the juridical authority.”
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=3344

[Pat]

Yes, the Roman Catholic church was very clear on their stance in the matter......"ROME, Italy (CNN) -- It is rare for Vatican officials to publicly discuss ongoing legal matters.

But in the case of Terri Schiavo -- a brain-damaged American woman who has been kept alive for 15 years -- they have taken the unusual step of harshly criticizing the removal of her feeding tube.

They say the procedure amounts to nothing less than a ruthless way to kill a person.

"It is euthanasia," says Javier Lozano, of the Pontiff's Council for Health.

Schiavo is at the center of a legal battle over her life -- a battle between her husband and parents, and between politician and judges." http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/22/schiavo.vatican/ May Terri's Dad rest in peace, God bless him; no one should have to watch their child starve to death. The people who supported Michael Schaivo should hang their heads in disgrace that this barbaric act was allowed to happen in a civilized country, shame, shame, shame on you!

I am very, very surprised to read this. This is not what two American priests, who were presented as representatives of the Church, said on two different programs I watched, which were made up of two doctors, these particular priests, a medical ethics professor and the panel moderator. I am sorry, but I do not remember which programs these were, but the shows were several months apart and the last was shown about 2 months before the feeding tube was removed.

I can only go by what I heard for myself as far at what the Church's standing was.

[blueberri]

My wishes are in writing.

I am sure my ex would pull the plug right now, if she would benefit by it.:biggrin:Isn't that just the sad truth in many cases? Strange how no one has brough up how Michael Schiavo didn't mention his loving "wife" in either of his parents' obituaries, but instead had her name replaced with Jodi's, the mother of his children? May God bless Terri's Dad and Mom, they went through hell on earth.

[blueberri]

you do know that Mr Schindler pulled the plug on his own mother too right, the autopsy proved she was ready to die, just because technology could sustain her body doesn't mean it should, her brain had withered away to half it size, she was gone alreadyYes, Lisa, it was a completely different situation.

[Bill Justice]

Yes, the Roman Catholic church was very clear on their stance in the matter......"ROME, Italy (CNN) -- It is rare for Vatican officials to publicly discuss ongoing legal matters.

But in the case of Terri Schiavo -- a brain-damaged American woman who has been kept alive for 15 years -- they have taken the unusual step of harshly criticizing the removal of her feeding tube.

They say the procedure amounts to nothing less than a ruthless way to kill a person.

"It is euthanasia," says Javier Lozano, of the Pontiff's Council for Health.

Schiavo is at the center of a legal battle over her life -- a battle between her husband and parents, and between politician and judges." http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/22/schiavo.vatican/ May Terri's Dad rest in peace, God bless him; no one should have to watch their child starve to death. The people who supported Michael Schaivo should hang their heads in disgrace that this barbaric act was allowed to happen in a civilized country, shame, shame, shame on you!

The people who support Michael Schiavo are the same folks who support death panels. No surprise there.

[blueberri]

I am very, very surprised to read this. This is not what two American priests, who were presented as representatives of the Church, said on two different programs I watched, which were made up of two doctors, these particular priests, a medical ethics professor and the panel moderator. I am sorry, but I do not remember which programs these were, but the shows were several months apart and the last was shown about 2 months before the feeding tube was removed.

I can only go by what I heard for myself as far at what the Church's standing was.Sadly, as we are all too well aware........ not all Priests and doctors are ethical.

[blueberri]

The people who support Michael Schiavo are the same folks who support death panels. No surprise there.And abortion, including late term abortion, another barbaric act. No regard for human life, unless it's their own, maybe not even then.

[RayStar]

The people who support Michael Schiavo are the same folks who support death panels. No surprise there.
I totally support Michael and I have no idea what death panels are.

[Pat]

The people who support Michael Schiavo are the same folks who support death panels. No surprise there.

This is an offensive post. I don't support "death panels". My views are specific to this one particular case, where all the facts were/are available (thanks to the Florida Sunshine Law) for all of us to read.

Shame on you.

[Bill Justice]

Isn't that just the sad truth in many cases? Strange how no one has brough up how Michael Schiavo didn't mention his loving "wife" in either of his parents' obituaries, but instead had her name replaced with Jodi's, the mother of his children? May God bless Terri's Dad and Mom, they went through hell on earth.

Her death not only got rid of his problem but I just found out on this thread that he got himself a book deal. Gullible people will always be with us. May God Bless everyone in this case and the Lord have mercy on his soul.

[ortiga]

Isn't that just the sad truth in many cases? Strange how no one has brough up how Michael Schiavo didn't mention his loving "wife" in either of his parents' obituaries, but instead had her name replaced with Jodi's, the mother of his children? May God bless Terri's Dad and Mom, they went through hell on earth.

Do you have a link to those obituaries? Usually in an obituary the people that are still living would be mentioned, when they are related....

Unless the person is very famous the family tree would not be examined in an obituary, especially when the person omitted is not a blood relative and is dead and was a daughter in law.

I would have been surprised when my parents died if my ex husband with whom I had no children had been mentioned. And he would have been astonished, lol.

She should have been mentioned in her own parents' obituaries but I can't see any ex spouse being mentioned in the in-laws obit.

IMO

[blueberri]

Do you have a link to those obituaries? Usually in an obituary the people that are still living would be mentioned, when they are related....

Unless the person is very famous the family tree would not be examined in an obituary, especially when the person omitted is not a blood relative and is dead and was a daughter in law.

I would have been surprised when my parents died if my ex husband with whom I had no children had been mentioned. And he would have been astonished, lol.

She should have been mentioned in her own parents' obituaries but I can't see any ex spouse being mentioned in the in-laws obit.

IMOMichael's parents both died while he was still legally married to Terri, she was still alive, there was no "ex" as we are all very well aware, Michael didn't have the decency to divorce Terri and let her parents take over her care. In both his father's and mother's obituaries he has Jodi Centonze, his live-in-girlfriend, named as his spouse. I don't have a link right now, but there were several out there at the time and I am sure if you did a search you could find them.

[Marcia3]

I am very, very surprised to read this. This is not what two American priests, who were presented as representatives of the Church, said on two different programs I watched, which were made up of two doctors, these particular priests, a medical ethics professor and the panel moderator. I am sorry, but I do not remember which programs these were, but the shows were several months apart and the last was shown about 2 months before the feeding tube was removed.

I can only go by what I heard for myself as far at what the Church's standing was.

So, IOW, the Catholic Church was not clearly in Michael's corner as several of your earlier posts claimed? I would not consider two priests appearing on TV on a TH panel as representing the Church's stance on any subject. It seems a bit reckless and misleading to alledge that the Catholic Church was in agreement with your argument when all you had to back up your claim was a vague memory of a TV program or two.

JMO.

[ortiga]

Michael's parents both died while he was still legally married to Terri, she was still alive, there was no "ex" as we are all very well aware, Michael didn't have the decency to divorce Terri and let her parents take over her care. In both his father's and mother's obituaries he has Jodi Centonze, his live-in-girlfriend, named as his spouse. I don't have a link right now, but there were several out there at the time and I am sure if you did a search you could find them.

That's OK, I'll leave it to you to look up your own links.

:laugh:

[Pat]

So, IOW, the Catholic Church was not clearly in Michael's corner as several of your earlier posts claimed? I would not consider two priests appearing on TV on a TH panel as representing the Church's stance on any subject. It seems a bit reckless and misleading to alledge that the Catholic Church was in agreement with your argument when all you had to back up your claim was a vague memory of a TV program or two.

JMO.

My memory isn't vague and the priests were presented as representing the Catholic Church's position on the removal of the feeding tube. My post wasn't reckless nor was it misleading.

[Marcia3]

My memory isn't vague and the priests were presented as representing the Catholic Church's position on the removal of the feeding tube. My post wasn't reckless nor was it misleading.

IMO, it was both. Did you provide links to either of these programs, or to anything that backs up your statement regarding the priests being representatives of the Church's position?

Based on the links provided by others, you would not be able to do so, because clearly the Catholic Church was not in agreement with Michael's plan/desire to remove the feeding tube. From one of your posts:

The Catholic Church was very clear on their stance in the matter of removing feeding tubes when that is the only thing keeping a patient alive. He did nothing that was in contradiction of the teachings of their church.

Again, JMO, but IMO you should retract your claims.

[Pat]

I'm not participating in the replay anymore. The conversation is now nothing more than posters taking pot shots rather than discussing the events surrounding the decision to remove the feeding tube.

As I said in my first post, one good thing to come out of this sad affair was that people across the country realized how serious this issue could become when they are no longer able to speak for themselves, and took the steps necessary to put their wishes in writing and discussed it with their families.

[Pat]

IMO, it was both. Did you provide links to either of these programs, or to anything that backs up your statement regarding the priests being representatives of the Church's position?

Based on the links provided by others, you would not be able to do so, because clearly the Catholic Church was not in agreement with Michael's plan/desire to remove the feeding tube. From one of your posts:

The Catholic Church was very clear on their stance in the matter of removing feeding tubes when that is the only thing keeping a patient alive. He did nothing that was in contradiction of the teachings of their church.

Again, JMO, but IMO you should retract your claims.

I'm not because I know what I heard on TWO different programs. You've stated your opinion and I've replied.

[Marcia3]

I'm not participating in the replay anymore. The conversation is now nothing more than posters taking pot shots rather than discussing the events surrounding the decision to remove the feeding tube.

As I said in my first post, one good thing to come out of this sad affair was that people across the country realized how serious this issue could become when they are no longer able to speak for themselves, and took the steps necessary to put their wishes in writing and discussed it with their families.

We can agree on your last statement. Most people I know had never considered a living will or even talking about what they would want in that situation until this story hit the headlines.

However, I do not agree about your "pot shots" statement. But that's okay, you've replied and we don't agree. I can live with that.

[Marcia3]

of course not, do you think the Catholic Church approved of mr Schindlers pulling the plug on his own mother either?

I do not know if they did or not, but if I had to hazard a guess, I would say no.

[Explorer]

Her death not only got rid of his problem but I just found out on this thread that he got himself a book deal. Gullible people will always be with us. May God Bless everyone in this case and the Lord have mercy on his soul.

Im with you on this Bill.