Terri Schiavo’s Family Still Has "Glimmer of Hope"
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 19, 2003
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Though they have been defeated at every judicial turn, have received mixed results in obtaining the help of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and have been refused the opportunity to give Terri Schiavo what may have been her final communion, Terri’s family still holds out hope.
"We still have a glimmer of hope. I’m OK, a little punchy, but I’m hanging in there," said Terri’s brother, Bob Schindler, Jr.
After being turned away early Saturday by police officers following orders from the court and Michael Schiavo’s attorneys, Terri’s family members say they are no longer visiting because of the emotional toll.
"I don’t know how she’s doing. It’s too much to have to go in and see her any more," said her father, Bob Schindler, Sr.
Terri’s family still believes that Governor Bush can help. Although he can’t overturn the legal decisions that paved the way for removing Terri’s feeding tube last Wednesday, he could still investigate Michael Schiavo for conflicts of interest and allegedly abusing Terri.
Suzanne Carr, Terri’s sister, renewed a call for help from Gov. Bush, saying, "You have the power to intervene on Terri’s behalf. This is more important and beyond politics and bad press."
"Terry has now been without food and water for three full days, and time is running out," Carr said Saturday.
A spokesman for Gov. Bush on Saturday said that his legal team is looking for any way they can require doctors to reinsert the feeding tube that was helping Terri stay alive.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, a group of doctors brought in by the Schindlers talked about how the removal of Terri’s feeding tube has affected her. It’s been reported that the dying process from the tube removal would be a painless one, and that Terri would essentially go to sleep, but according to the doctors, Terri will feel pain.
Also on Saturday, Diane Coleman, president of Not Dead Yet, a disability rights organization, said her group was concerned about Terri’s situation and the ramifications it will have on disabled people across the country.
"If this case goes forward as it has been, [guardians] will be given carte blanche to kill people with disabilities that they would rather be without," she said. "We must have checks and balances on the powers of guardians, and those have been eroded here in Florida."
Coleman also urged supporters to protest at the White House on Sunday, hoping President Bush can persuade his brother to help Terri. President Bush is outside the country on international business.
Related web sites:
Bob amd Mary Schindler – https://www.terrisfight.org
