The Right To Die

The Right to Die

America, land of opportunities, liberties, and rights galore! In America, each individual is an autocrat of their personal constitutional freedom, and can become a warrior to defend it if it's necessary. But, what if you can't protect your given liberties because of life's manipulation of your fate? Imagine. You're still healthy and relatively young when all of the sudden life plays an unexpected trick on your health and BAM, you become a vegetable! Who will ensure then to protect your personal rights and welfare? Have you ever realized that your Achilles heel in personal freedom lies within that one inevitable step in life? If you guess its DEATH, you're a very wise person because you know that in this country, the right to die isn't exactly well-established yet.

The recent landmark Supreme Court Case of persistent vegetative: Terri Shiavo, has embodied this reality. Theresa Marie Schiavo entered a persistent vegetative state in 1990 after adopting an "iced tea diet" that caused irreversible brain damage. Neurological tests indicated that her cerebral cortex was principally liquid. Many "evil" allegations were leveled against her husband Michael Schiavo, but if you set them aside, it's easy to see what you're left with in this painful worldwide known case. You're left with a woman who suffered a heart attack 15 years ago, and whose body only continued to be sustained by a feeding tube, surgically inserted into her stomach. Michael loved his wife very much and was devastated with her health status, opposite to popular opinion. "Following Terri's heart attack, he decided to live with his in-laws providing care and therapy for years, until he later came to confirm Terri would never recover" (Sommer, Schiavo's spouse Explains side, Tells of Struggle). Doctors hired by Terri's husband and the courts as well, agreed that the deterioration of Terri's brain left her without thoughts or feelings, irreversible damage, and that Terri's apparent life-like appearance was merely the result of brain stem activity. Doctors hired by Terri's parents did not dispute the physical damage done to Terri, but claimed there were new therapies that could improve her condition. Yet, in two separate trials, the trial court found such claims of potential improvement to be without merit. Based on these conclusions, Michael Schiavo decided to request the removal of his wife's tube, since he believed she wouldn't have wanted to be kept alive in this brain-degenerated condition. The battle over who was to decide the manner of Terri Schiavo's death then began as her parents opposed him. Michael was determined to continue his fight to achieve what he believed Terri would want despite ridicule, hatred, expense, and threats.

More than twenty times the Schiavo case was heard in Florida courts. Every time, the court ruled that the decision was her husband's to make, upholding the sanctity of marriage long respected by legal precedent. Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, refused to accept this verdict. Of this struggle, Schiavo's attorney, George Felos told the Associated Press, "The real grievance isn't that they [the Schindlers] didn't have a day in court or that they didn't have due process. The real grievance is they disagree with the result."(Holan, Schiavo Case Highlights) A quote I most definitely agree with. I imagine how tough must it be for a parent to induce the death of their child in such circumstances, but when there's absolutely nothing to be done, lies and impossibilities can't save anyone! "The Schindler family videotaped Schiavo for extended periods of time, discarding nearly all the footage and preparing a short but disingenuous "highlight" video featuring only the occasional moments when her facial expression looked vaguely like a smile, or when family members were posing where Schiavo seemed to be staring, giving the illusion of 'eye contact'" (Terri Schiavo Case: Facts, Myths, and Issues,). In 2003, a court-appointed guardian for Schiavo wrote that during the protracted legal struggle, her parents had "voiced the disturbing belief that they would keep Terri alive at any and all costs"(Holan, Schiavo case Highlight), even if that required amputation on her limbs. As part of the hypothetical presented, the guardian's report stated, "Schindler family members stated that even if Terri had told them of her intention to have artificial nutrition withdrawn, they would not do it" (Holan, Schiavo case Highlight).

Politicians inserted themselves into the fray. The case was the catalyst for Florida's controversial "Terri's Law", which gave Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to have Schiavo's feeding tube re-inserted when a court ruled that her husband could have it removed. It was a tremendously sad family situation, undoubtedly painful for everyone involved (except, of course, the vegetable Terri Schiavo). This circus continued for years, co-opted by the pro-life movement. Many who never met Terri Schiavo argued passionately about her fate, protested court decisions, published newsletters or websites. It got so out of hand that "many 'save Terri' activists knew better, and claimed she suffered a violent beating at her husband's hand. Her parents eventually agreed, and said that her husband often beat Schiavo when she was healthy" -- but Schiavo never called the police, apparently never mentioned it to anyone, and her parents never mentioned it either until years after Schiavo was hospitalized. There is no evidence to support such claims'' ("The Death of Terri Schiavo",Nancy Grace, MSNBC). As the insanity moved to the federal level, Schiavo's feeding tube was finally removed on March 18, 2005, and her heart stopped beating 13 days later. The Schindlers claimed that as the tube was withdrawn, Schiavo blurted, "I want to live!" But just this once, they had apparently forgotten to bring the video camera.

"The U.S. Congress quickly passed legislation allowing federal courts to intervene while President George W. Bush flew back to Washington to sign the bill into law. It should be noticed that this is the same George W. Bush who, as Governor of Texas, signed into state law the power of hospitals to remove a patient (in identical situations as Terri's) from life support -- a critical factor being the family's ability to pay the hospital bills even if such removal was against the family's objections. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay lied for national newscasts that Schiavo 'talks and she laughs, and she expresses happiness and discomfort. It won't