Terri Schiavo (Page 5)

Well, I think we've discovered why we steered away from controversial subjects...

No, I really think people are passing judgement on each other and people they don't know at all. One side is demonizing the Schindlers, the other is demonizing Michael Schaivo. We don't know all the circumstances or what these people are like. An argument on the politics and laws surrounding this case is completely in bounds for this argument, in my opinion (not that I make the rules or anything). But anyone who assumes to know what's in the heart of any of the "normal people" in this sad scenario is talking out their bum.

Did you ever notice his resemblance to Homer Stokes, Servant of the People, who ran for Gov'nuh (and KKK Grand somethin' or anuthuh) in "O Brother Where Art Thou?"

"Is you is, or is you ain't, my constituency?"

My husband had better let his mom and family know his wishes, because if he told me to pull his plug, and then his mom (or sister or a brother) came along and said, I'll care for him, pay for him, etc, etc., I am just not ready to let my son/brother go.  I wouldn't "pull the plug".  His family will have to be ready before I could carry out his  "voiced only to me" wishes.  I have already told him this.  (As it as been mentioned ad nausem, I told him that if he wants it any other way, PLEASE PLEASE, PLEASE get that living will in order and TELL everyone in your family BEFORE the moment of truth arrives. )  And I really really do love my husband very much.

I have accomplished things in my life that others (and sometimes myself) have not thought possible, I have decided that I will survive a life-threatening injury (I am a police officer and I have considered and mentally determined that, if injured, I WILL NOT DIE) I believe this mind set will kick in even in an illness that could occure to me.  So if I make that effort and succeed not to die, than damn it, don't EVEN consider pulling my plug.  I will be do everything possible to recover and my family and my doctors better do everything possible to aid that recovery.   This is for ME, it is not the course of action I expect of my husband, my kids, or anyone here to take.  In fact it is not the course of action I even think the Schindlers or Michael Shaivo have to take.  It's a personal decision, but it affects more than just one person. 

This issue can bond a family or it can destroy it.  I hope that more of us will explore this issue for the well-being of our loved ones.

Edited by zagagirl 2005-03-29 1:26 PM

I can tell you that I would not want my husband to throw his life away while I'm in a vegetative state, having no consciousness or awareness, no hope of ever having a life with him again, no hope of having children. I would want him to have a LIFE, which includes happiness, joy, a partner who loves him and children. I would not want to deny him of this. I would not ask him to sacrifice his life; it's bad enough that my aware, engaged life had ended.

If I were only in a coma for 10 years, I would want him to have a life besides caring for a wife who could not be a wife/ partner/ friend/ playmate to him. I would not want him to sacrifice his entire life to me. Life is for the living - he should live it as fully as he can.

And, if my parents were trying to block my wishes, I would want my husband to fight for what I told him I wanted. If he divorced me while I was brain-dead, he would be essentially washing his hands of any legal responsibility for me. For that, I would be angry (which, of course, I wouldn't be because I would have no awareness, but IF I had awareness... you get my meaning).

I see no problem with Michael starting a family with another woman, except it has opened him up to wide-spread stone casting (which, I suspect, he would be a victim of regardless of how maritally devout, self-sacrificing he was). Do we really need him to be a selfless, self-sacrificing husband to believe he is doing what his wife would have wanted? Not in my book. The man has suffered enough.