The Terri Schiavo case is absolutely heartbreaking.
Over the past few days, I have found myself sickened and saddened by attempts to politicize this tragic situation.
This is not about Democrats or Republicans or even God. It’s about caring people trying desperately to interpret and act on a loved one’s wishes.
Mrs. Schiavo’s family isn’t a “pawn” for the “Christian right.” They are simply people who believe their daughter/sister wants – regardless of her awful circumstances – to live.
Mr. Schiavo isn’t a monster. He’s a man who has tried (for close to 15 years) to follow – what he believes to be – his wife’s wishes.
One of the saddest things to me, though, involves the removal of her nourishment tubes, as far as I am aware, the only legal option available to care givers. Having her suffer one to two weeks of starvation and dehydration before she expires seems inhumane and barbaric. Even death row inmates are guaranteed a swifter and more painless passage.
My heart goes out to everyone involved.
Resources
- For information on Advanced Directives (aka “Living Wills) for New Jersey residents, click here for a link to the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services.
- For general information on Advanced Directives from the American Academy of Family Physicians, click here.
Here is a scripture regarding Terri Shiavo:
Psalms 82
2. "How long will you keep judging with injustice And showing partiality
to the wicked themselves?
3. Be judges for the lowly one and the fatherless boy. TO THE AFFLICTED ONE and the one of little means do justice.
On my page at http://stonescry.tripod.com/
scroll down to my daughter in her wheelchair. We take care of the afflicted, we don't destroy them, no matter what.
Donna Jones Flood
U.S. Post office mural artist
Ponca City, Ok.
telephone 580 762-1553
Posted by: Donna JonesFlood | March 25, 2005 at 10:29 PM