Saturday, December 3, 2011

Terri Schiavo's Legacy: The Value of a Life in a Nation That Cheapens It

Terri Schiavo would have been 48 this December 3 … not a major mile-marker among we, the living, but a cause for reflection for those who loved her, and for all those who fought so valiantly to save her, in those terrible years and months and days before she was starved to death, by court order, in March, 2005.

A cause for reflection because, as so many observed and warned us at the time, her death – court mandated, despite the express wishes of her parents and siblings and the best efforts of the President and Congress of the United States – marked a crucial turning point in our nation’s cultural attitude toward life. Perhaps no judicial action since Roe v. Wade has done more to convince ordinary Americans that individual lives are expendable to those pushing for an increasingly callous medical establishment.

In a medical arena where humanity is increasingly supplanted by multi-million-dollar economic interests, life and death decisions become all too easy. Soon, it’s cheaper to pull a plug than to fill a prescription.

Of course, the pressures aren’t only financial. As the lists of patients awaiting transplants grow longer, pressure is mounting in many medical circles to speed along the process of dying, the better to harvest organs for those in need. Rob Stein of The Washington Post reported a few months ago on the increasingly aggressive efforts by the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) to rewrite the rules on when a patient is “dead” and his organs can be removed.

Full Article and Source:
Schiavo's Legacy: The Value of a Life in a Nation That Cheapens It

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

A heartbreaking story, remember it well, recall thinking how could this be happening in America, especially since a loving family was able and willing to care for Terri. Clearly while watching Terri's story unfold on TV it was evident Terri did not want to die and was still very much with us. It is my opinion the person that made the choice for Terri's forced death had No Right to force Terri to die prematurely especially since that person had gone on with their life, even started a new family, what did it matter to this person if the family wanted to care for their daughter ? At that point in time the Court should have stopped Terri's forced death, understood a person with disabilities still has Rights and allowed Terri's family to take their daughter and sister home.

If those responsible for the forced, premature death of Terri become disabled and want to end "Their" lives and wish to be Starved to Death, "so be it," that's their right. But be Clear on this fact, "No One wants to die being Starved to Death" ! It is also the right of others that are disabled, if they choose to LIVE that is "Their Right."

In my opinion the Court made a Huge mistake by only hearing One Side, to only take the (word) of a person that wanted to end Terri's life, his word alone was (Hear-Say) bias and prejudice against Terri, Don't believe Terri wanted to die, will Never believe it. The Court took the word of the person who no longer wanted to be part of Terri's life, it was clear they wanted nothing to do with Terri's care, their goal was to end her life. Could it be someone was afraid Terri would recover and be able to communicate ?

Due to my suspicious mind and in my opinion, Law Enforcement should open a full investigation to determine all evidence in Terri's accident and Why was it so important for this person to end Terri Schiavo's life, it was Not her wish to die.
Terri's forced death should have been stopped at all cost by the Court ! and America understands it could have been Stopped. One day those that are resposible for Terri's senseless killing will answer for this horrific crime.

It is incomprehensiable to understand the heartache of being forced to watch your child and sister being forced to die when it wasn't necessary, then at the end the family is "forced to Leave" Terri's side before she past, leaving Terri to die alone without her loving family by her side holding on to her. Only a ruthless and callous person would withhold Terri's family being by her side as she lay dying, or perhaps someone had something to hide or perhaps they held a grudge against Terri Perhaps someone was afraid Terri would be able to speak before the end came and wanted to make sure Terri's voice would not be heard. Only speculating.
WHY WASN'T THIS INHUMANE ACT OF INJUSTICE STOPPED ?

Many Prayers, Support and Thoughts are with Terri Schiavo's Family today.
God Bless, be at Peace,
We will Never forget the Schiavo Family and your Precious Daughter "Terri."

StandUp said...

Let her death never be forgotten!

Norma said...

Terri Schiavo was executed right in front of the people and I believe she was executed in the court of public opinion by the media.

It was a very dark time but we must not ever forget it.

My heart is always with the brave Schindler family who fought so hard for Terri.

Pat said...

makes my blood boil and causes chills to run up and down my spine.

honeybear said...

Rest in peace, Terri, knowing you aren't forgotten. And your family has helped so many others.

Steve said...

The fact that neither the President of the US nor the Pope could save Terri Schiavo from her execution is a wake up that the judiciary has too much power!

We must never forget this injustice.