Sadly, the fact that the Supreme Court allowed Terri to be murdered in such a barbaric fashion set a precident in our country the same way Roe vs. Wade changed us forever. Today I will be praying that our nation will come to it's senses and remember the values that our country was founded upon. I will also be praying for Terri's parents and siblings, for grace and peace.

Posted by: Jennifer Feigel at March 18, 2006 9:29 AM

I was very saddened when I first heard about Terri's plight of life. I hope and pray our country will not allow this to happen again and that mercy killing, euthanasia, abortion and other forms of murder are put to an end. There was a loving family willing to care for and love Terri, there was no humane reason to let her die and suffer in vane. It is with God's blessings that she is protected from this misery now, but I pray it will never happen to another person again, elderly, disabled or otherwise!

Posted by: Patty at March 18, 2006 6:44 PM

The Supreme Court upheld the right and the freedom of personal choice in this country. That was the central issue of the case.

The court determined that Mrs Schiavo had expressed her choice. The many court actions following that determination were an effort to protect Mrs Schiavos right to choose for herself and to have her choice respected.

It is too bad her parents couldn't let her grow up into an adult life where they would respect her choices and abide by them.

The Supreme Court made it clear- the courts will uphold the right of self determination and personal freedom to chose. The courts will do this even if your parents violate your right to privacy. The courts will do this even if your parents don't agree with you. The courts will do this even if your parents don't like the husband you chose or the way you live your life.

So many steps along the way the Schindler family could have heard the message. Even when the SUPREME COURT sent them the message they refused to hear it.

They could have let their daughter grow up and accepted that as an adult she was allowed to control her own life.

And seeing as how eating disorders are all about control it is easy to see how Mrs Schiavo developed an eating disorder in childhood and early adolescence. Her parents simply never could stop trying to control their daughter.

Posted by: NotSaddened at March 18, 2006 10:54 PM

Terri spoke volumes to me!! With the very little she had, she showed greater vitality and courage than most. At the same time, the greatest government on earth failed her. While "helpless" Terri showed us glimmers of hope and spurred great compassion - those in charge showed us the depths of bureaucratic darkness. I appreciate knowing Terri's story. I regard life more, and unfortunately, our government less.

Posted by: Jody at March 19, 2006 1:16 AM

NotSaddened, what is your evidence that Terri had an eating disorder? What I still find so frustrating is the misinformation that has taken hold as truth in this case. The fight to save Terri's life was good and noble and the Schindlers are heros.

Posted by: CeCe at March 20, 2006 11:44 AM

What happened to Terri gave us so many chilling messages about out society. If we will only hear. I know I was changed forever and I will never see life in the same way. Last year, I wrote down my experience along with a poem and a picture and sent it to the magazine, Canticle: The Voice of Women of Grace. I wanted to do something. They printed my poem in their winter 2006 volume. When they printed my poem they changed it a bit, but I want to post my original here in honor of Terri. I also hope it will open the eyes of those who are still in denial of what we, as a society, witnessed and allowed.

In memoriam: Terri Schindler-Shaivo (December 3, 1969 to March 31, 2005)

The Invitation.

I heard a voice call to me,

“Come to the water.”

“I am not a guide, guardian, or priest,

but just clumsy stranger”, I sigh.

All I could do was kneel shivering

with cupped hands waiting for guidance

like the lights from the rows of votive candles,

in a quiet cathedral, flickering shyly

beneath the pedestal of Mary blue and white,

the safe harbor before a voyage.

Rosary beads of iridescent pink,

small hearts strung with silver links,

cool, and slick on my fingertips

anchored me to her plight

and her dark night to martyrdom.

The air was palpable,

and alive with a sacredness.

My breath hesitated to intrude,

but I felt my prayers as they fled my lips

“Holy Mary Mother of God…..”

traveling through air becoming round and buoyant.

They entered this new atmosphere

moving like Neil Armstrong

on the surface of the moon,

kicking up the dust,

leaving for some far away galaxy,

rising up spring loaded,

bouncing down to anoint her feet,

landing back on my lips,

then up and out again.

“Deliver us form evil!” I renewed my pleas.

but, no wisdom came from judges, no drops of mercy.

Her eyelids fluttered like falling ashes,

her lips tight and parched quivered

like the tiny tongues of fire

moving inside the votive candles,

uttering prayers at the feet of Our Mother.

Then thin streams of blue and white smoke

floated silently from their small open mouths,

and together with her took flight

into the starry, starry night

escaping up, up and out of sight

leaving us to contemplate the value of our lives.

Marcella Paliekara

Posted by: Marcella Paliekara at March 22, 2006 9:31 AM

I was devastated when they had Terri's feeding tube removed. I am grandmother and legal guarding to Matthew. He is my heart and soul. He had to get a feeding tube one day after Terri had her feeding tube removed. As Terri grew weaker and weaker, my grandson grew stronger and more healthier. It was after Terri died that I had a Living Will written up. Never is anyone to remove his feeding tube. If he dies it will not be from someone STARVING him to death. A feeding tube is not like a life support.. it's different and only people that are caretakers of children or adults with special needs. I am sure Terri did not want to be starved to death. There is a BIG line between feeding tubes and heart or lung machines.. A big line. Terri's mental capacity was about that of my 4 year old grandson but that does not give anyone the right to starve them to death.

Posted by: Charlotte Kappler at April 30, 2006 9:32 PM