Information on the Terri Schiavo situation.

You’re left with a woman who suffered a heart attack 15 years ago, who essentially died but was resuscitated, though not entirely. Her brain had suffered enormous damage from the heart attack. As time passed, her brain further deteriorated — to the point where much if not most of her cerebral cortex (the portion of the brain that controls conscious thought, among other things) was literally gone, replaced by spinal fluid. Doctors hired by Terri’s husband say the deterioration of Terri’s brain left her without thoughts or feelings, that the damage is irreversible, and that Terri’s life-like appearance is merely the result of brain stem activity — basically involuntary reflexes we all have. An independent doctor hired by the court reached the same conclusions. Doctors hired by Terri’s parents did not dispute the physical damage done to Terri, but they claim there are new therapies that could improve her condition. In two separate trials, the trial court found such claims of potential improvement to be without merit. Terri’s body continues to function without her cerebral cortex. She is sustained by a feeding tube surgically inserted into her stomach. She cannot eat through her mouth without a strong likelihood of choking to death.

(Emphasis mine.)

It would be one thing if this had happened, say, days ago. But it’s been fifteen years!

You’re left with a husband who lived with his in-laws following Terri’s heart attack, who apparently provided care and therapy for years but who later came to believe Terri would never recover. He believes she would not have wanted to be kept alive in this brain-degenerated condition by a surgically implanted tube. He is apparently willing to continue his fight to achieve what he believes Terri would want despite ridicule, hatred, expense, and threats.

Not to mention all kinds of accusations and finger-pointing, especially from her parents.

You’re left with parents who were once allied with Terri’s husband in an effort to care for Terri and restore her but, unlike Terri’s husband, they never lost hope. They believe Terri reacts to them and has conscious thoughts. They believe Terri would not want, and does not want, her feeding tube removed, and that some cognitive function could be restored through new therapies. Terri’s parents are willing to continue their fight to achieve what they believe Terri would want despite ridicule, hatred, expense, and threats.

Not to mention all kinds of accusations and finger-pointing, especially from her husband.

* * * * *

All that said, I have to side with those who believe her tube should be removed. She is not a fully-functioning human being; and–barring divine intervention–she will not recover. As well, her husband should have the final say. It doesn’t matter how he’s been portrayed by Terri’s parents and the press; he should have the final say. Her parents gave up their say when she got married.

I also think her parents are being incredibly selfish. Terri’s mother is quoted as saying, “She’s my life?” How twisted is that? A woman who has been in a vegetative state, who is virtually unresponsive and has been this way for fifteen years, is her life?! Again, how twisted is that? It’s one thing to love your child and all that (something every parent should do, IMNSHO). But I seem to think that for Terri’s mother, keeping her alive is becoming nothing short of an obsession.

Yes. An obsession.

Terri’s parents can’t seem to get it through their heads that their daughter isn’t coming back to life (if you will) anytime soon, unless a complete miracle happens. They’ve been hanging on to futility for fifteen long years and cannot bring themselves to this realization–a realization her husband has long come to. It’s time for them to let their daughter go and move on with their lives.

Meanwhile, the government should stay out of this. It’s not their place to dictate what happens to Terri (again, that should go to her husband). The bill that passed the House–allowing the Supreme Court to take a look at the case–could very well set a very dangerous precedent. All those who abstained from voting are to be commended; those who voted “yes” really need to think about this. Hard.

If anything, regardless of your position on this, I think virtually all of us can agree on one thing: Everyone should get a living will set up; and let it be known what your wishes are should you end up on life support one day. Terri didn’t have one; and look what’s happened. A big fat mess.

Meanwhile, Michael Schiavo says GWB should visit his wife.