Fight for Terri Schiavo

March 20, 2005

When Terri Schindler Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed, some talk radio callers complained about Congress’ attempts to intervene and tried to justify starving her on the grounds that they would not want to live in that condition. I have a news flash for them: It’s not about you! It is about the rights of all incapacitated people including Terri Schindler Schiavo.

Have people become so narcissistic that they believe their personal feelings are universal? People do not all desire the same things or feel the same way. No one has the right to decide what somebody else wants or feels. Additionally, no one can impartially judge another’s “quality of life”. One can not even judge what one’s own quality of life would be if circumstances were to change. Many healthy people think their lives would be torture if they were to become seriously ill. Nevertheless, The Journal of Experimental Psychology: General published a study in which healthy people and kidney dialysis patients recorded their moods several times per day for a week. The study revealed that the dialysis patients were in good moods most of the time and their general happiness was comparable to that of the healthy group. People adapt. They find pleasurable activities within their physical and/or mental capabilities. This may be true of Terri Schindler Schiavo and other disabled individuals. Her mental ability may not be what it was before she suffered oxygen deprivation, but she may find joy in simple things. Things her husband and guardian will not allow her to do such as sitting in the sun, listening to music, looking out the window or hearing her family talk to her.

People in the “right to die” camp should realize that The Incapacitated Person’s Legal Protection Act will not force those with living wills or advance medical directives to be kept alive against their wishes. Terri Schindler Schiavo did not leave such a document. Maybe, she didn’t get around to having one prepared. Maybe, she didn’t have one because she wanted to live. Only one person, Michael Schiavo, says she “didn’t want to live that way”. He did not mention that until seven years after she became incapacitated - after he won a sizable sum in a malpractice suit for her care for the next 50 years. Her family and friends were not aware of her “wish”. Furthermore, she has survived sepsis and earlier removals of the feeding tube. That indicates a will to live.

Will those who judge the “quality of life” of others expand their crusade? Apparently, people in comas do not have an acceptable quality of life and should be killed. What about the developmentally disabled; quadriplegics; paraplegics; the blind; the deaf; amputees; people with incurable illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or Parkinson’s disease; and those in pain such as osteoarthritis sufferers? If quality of life is judged on the ideal of perfect health, why don’t we starve everyone to death and have done with it? Let’s get the “quality of life” police out of our medical decisions while we still can.

Terri Schindler Schiavo is still alive. Her feeding tube can still be replaced. There are yet too many questions about her wishes and potential for recovery to kill her now. If you want to help save her, visit www.terrisfight.org. Life’s flame is easily snuffed out and impossible to re-ignite.

Note: I would like to extend my appreciation to Tom Marr, the mid-morning host on Baltimore’s WCBM AM680, for his on-air reading of my email urging listeners to contact their representatives and senators in support of The Incapacitated Person’s Legal Protection Act. Thank you, Tom!

Eva Ellsworth