A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge reversed his own ruling, permitting Casey Kasem’s daughter, Kerri Kasem, to remove her father’s food and hydration (via feeding tube), which will result in his death by starvation and dehydration. Kasem’s wife of 33 years, Jean Kasem, is fighting for the life of her husband, with her attorney, Steve Haney, calling the judge’s decision, "the functional equivalent of a death sentence."
I wonder if we are paying attention to some of the more recent stories that have been reported in regards to euthanasia and assisted suicide. Arguably, the most troubling of them have been reported overseas, however things here in our country are getting worse, as well.
I have written time and time again about the dangerous and dehumanizing persistent vegetative state (PVS) diagnosis. Actually, we saw in my family's battle to save my sister, Terri Schiavo, from death by dehydration, that a tremendous amount of debate raged over whether or not she was in this condition.
It was nine years ago, March 18, 2005, that my sister, Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed by order of Pinellas County Florida Court Judge, George W. Greer. It was by Greer's order that Terri would slowly die by way of starvation and dehydration. It took almost two-weeks.
Since 2007, Terri Schiavo’s family has marked the anniversary of her death on March 31, 2005 by celebrating Terri’s Day. Through the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network (Narberth, PA), they have channeled the national controversy that erupted over the court-ordered decision that ended Terri’s life by removing her feeding tube into a positive effort of awareness, education and advocacy that supports thousands of families worldwide.
Much has been written about Jahi McMath in recent days. The 13 year old Oakland girl underwent surgery Dec. 9 to remove her tonsils. She was declared “brain-dead” after going into cardiac arrest.
How many of these news reports do we need to read about patients who are wrongly diagnosed as being in a so-called persistent vegetative state (PVS) before we eliminate this dangerous, unscientific and completely subjective diagnosis? I’m getting tired writing about it.
Former Governor Sarah Palin, whether it was intentional or not, certainly began the discussion on end of life issues when she referred to “death panels” in a 2009 debate about federal health care legislation to cover the uninsured in the US.
The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network is delighted to announce that America’s leading multi-media personality, Mr. Glenn Beck, will be the honored speaker at the second annual Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network's Award Gala, Thursday, March 27, 2014, at the Union League of Philadelphia.
Bobby Schindler
