Terri Schiavo's Parents: More Tests Are Needed Before Daughter
Starved

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 18, 2005

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- The parents of Terri Schiavo plan
to present a new legal motion before a local judge who will decide
whether Terri's estranged husband Michael is allowed to starve Terri
to death.

Bob and Mary Schindler want cognitive ability tests to be conducted
on their daughter to prove their contention that she is more aware
than courts have acknowledged.

An attorney for the Schindlers will present a motion Monday before
Circuit Court Judge Greer pointing to a new study showing that
disabled people who are treated as if they have no awareness of
their surroundings or that they cannot interact with others may be
absorbing more than previously thought.
http://www.lifenews.com/nat1182.html

David Gibbs will ask Judge Greer to allow such testing to be used to
assess Terri's brain activity before her feeding tube is removed.
Michael could be allowed to remove the gastric tube providing Terri
with food and water as soon as Tuesday.

At the hearing Monday, Gibbs will also ask Judge Greer to extend the
stay that expires on February 22.

"I think the bottom line is that Terri deserves to get these tests,"
her father Bob Schindler said Thursday. "It would be unconscionable
for Judge Greer or any other judge to order her death without these
tests."

In the study, team of neuroscientists in New York, New Jersey and
Washington used imaging technology (MRIs) to compare the brain
activity of two disabled people in conditions similar to Terri's and
the level of activity of health individuals.

As expected, the minimally conscious subjects showed brain activity
at less than half the levels of the healthy subjects.

But, the researchers also made audio recordings of loved ones
telling cherished stories or recalling shared experiences. In each
of the brain-damaged patients while the recordings played, the level
of neural activity matched that of the healthy patients.

Meanwhile, the Schindlers also point to the case of Sarah Scantlin,

http://www.lifenews.com/bio697.html

a Kansas woman who recently came out of a 20 year coma to be able to
speak for the first time. Prior to that, Scantlin, like Terri, had
limited, but obvious, interaction with her family.

Responding to the news, euthanasia advocate George Felos, Michael's
lead attorney, told the Associated Press that the study and the
Scantlin case are irrelevant to Terri because she "is in a
vegetative condition and has no consciousness."

"These are frivolous, last-ditch efforts on the part of the
parents," Felos said.


http://www.lifenews.com/bio708.html




Study Reveals Disabled Patients Like Terri Schiavo Show Awareness
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 8, 2005

New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- Disabled people who are treated as if
they have no awareness of their surroundings or that they cannot
interact with others may be absorbing more than previously thought,
according to a new study. The research sheds more like on the plight
of people like Terri Schiavo.

A team of neuroscientists in New York, New Jersey and Washington
used imaging technology (MRIs) to compare the brain activity of two
disabled people in conditions similar to Terri's and the level of
activity of health individuals.

As expected, the minimally conscious subjects showed brain activity
at less than half the levels of the healthy subjects.

But, the researchers also made audio recordings of loved ones
telling cherished stories or recalling shared experiences. In each
of the brain-damaged patients while the recordings played, the level
of neural activity matched that of the health patients.

"We assumed we would get some minimal response in these patients,
but nothing like this," said Dr. Nicholas Schiff, an assistant
professor of neurology and neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical
College in Manhattan and the study's lead author.

The findings, if repeated in other experiments, could have a
significant impact on how the medical and legal community treat such
patients.

Dr. Joseph Fins, chief of the medical ethics division of New York
Presbyterian Hospital, told the New York Times, "This study gave me
goose bumps, because it shows this possibility of this profound
isolation, that these people are there, that they've been there all
along, even though we've been treating them as if they're not."

Since the completion of the study, researchers focused on seven
additional disabled patients and the results were the same.

Three million to six million Americans live with the consequences of
serious brain injuries and as many as 100,000 to 300,000 are like
Terri Schiavo -- minimally conscience and in a bedridden state. They
are unable to care for themselves, but are still breathing on their
own and may interacted in a limited manner.

The results of the study appeared Monday in the medical journal
Neurology.

http://www.lifenews.com/nat1182.html




Woman Wakes After 20 Year Coma, Impacts Terri Schaivo Legal Battle
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 14, 2005

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Sarah Scantlin was unable to speak
after an automobile accident in which a drunk driver crashed into
her, leaving her in a coma. Though doctors believed her brain was
injured so badly in the accident that should would never be able to
talk again and spend her life in a vegetative state, Scantlin began
speaking a week ago.

Sarah's friends and family gathered Saturday at the health care
center where she lives to celebrate.

"She's 100 percent Sarah again. The family is back together, and
it's just simply a joyous situation," her father, Jim Scantlin, told
CNN.

Scantlin was 18 when she was injured and, until last month, she was
aware of her surroundings but unable to speak. Suddenly, she began
talking to workers at the health care center.

"It just happened one day and nobody really knows why," said Sharon
Kuepker, administrator for the Golden Plains Health Care Center.

Now, Scantlin is forming words, counting, and remembering people and
places.

"You condition yourself to be able to try to deal with something
like this, and then all of the sudden, the world instantly changed
from despair to joy because it's amazing how important communication
is between human beings," her father told the Associated Press.

Doctors have no explanation but pro-life advocates believe the case
proves that Terri Schiavo, who is not in a PVS state, could find her
disabled condition improved if she were given proper medical care
and rehabilitative treatment.

Robert Schindler, Terri's father, says he hopes the courts will see
this "miracle" and think of Terri.

"In light of the miraculous awakening of Miss Sarah Scantlin in
Kansas and the success of the new brainwave test reported ... this
week, my daughter deserves to have this test before she is starved
to death by judicial decree," Schindler said.

Schindler is referring to a study released last week showing the
level of neural activity of disabled patients who listened to tapes
of their loved ones sharing family experiences matched that of the
healthy patients.

The Schindlers say videotape shown on CNN of Sarah interacting with
her parents prior to speaking is remarkably similar to videos of
Terri interacting her family.

Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family says the Scantlin case shows
why Florida courts should spare Terri Schiavo's life and prevent her
estranged husband from ending her life.

"Terri Schiavo deserves the same chance at life that Sarah Scantlin
was given," Dobson said. "Both cases have involved women who
suffered debilitating injuries and continued to live in a disabled
state. Today we celebrate the news that Ms. Scantlin has regained
her memory and ability to speak, and is apparently on the road to
recovery."

"Mental disabilities do not damage a person's worth -- the
preciousness of life is not defined by one's abilities," Dobson
added. "Those who suffer a disabling injury are entitled to the same
right to life as we all are. Those seeking to take away Mrs.
Schiavo's right to life should have second thoughts after hearing
Sarah Scantlin's story."

Terri's parents are traveling to Kansas to meet with Sarah and her
family.

Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo's parents - http://www.terrisfight.org

http://www.lifenews.com/bio697.html




Terri Schiavo's Parents Launch Public Campaign to Save Their Daughter

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 15, 2005

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- With legal options to prevent their
daughter, Terri Schiavo, from being painfully starved to death,
Robert and Mary Schindler are launching a public campaign to draw
attention to her plight.

The couple have asked pro-life activist Randall Terry to help them
again. Terry was a key player in a previous campaign to lobby
Florida lawmakers to pass Terri's Law, eventually struck down by
Florida courts.

"Our family has asked Randall Terry and his staff to once again
coordinate the efforts to rescue Terri from the clutches of death by
judicial homicide," Robert Schindler said.

"We ask you to help my daughter, Terri, by following Randall's lead,
and cooperating with and supporting the efforts we have asked him to
undertake," Schindler added.

Terry said he and the Schindlers have devised a game plan on how to
generate more public support for the woman at the center of the
euthanasia controversy.

"Our plans are comprehensive, and we will attack this injustice from
every possible side," Terry said Tuesday.

Those plans could include appealing to the Florida state legislature
to pass a more comprehensive law requiring doctors to assume that
any disabled patient without an advance directive, such as Terri,
must assume the patient wants all medical and rehabilitative care to
not be killed.

Rep. Dennis Baxley, a Republican from Ocala, filed such a bill, but
it did not receive a vote during the last session of the Florida
legislature.

"We are counting on Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature to do
the right thing, and again rescue our daughter from the clutches of
the court," Schindler said.

Other efforts in the new campaign include protests at the Pinellas
Park hospice where Terri lives.

However, George Felos, the euthanasia advocate who is the lead
attorney for Terri's estranged husband Michael, says he doubts the
new efforts will see results.

"Certainly, the Florida Legislature would have to be much more
reluctant to jump into this case now," Felos told the Associated
Press. "I think the Florida Supreme Court made it clear that
although they (lawmakers) may legislate prospectively for future
cases, there is nothing they can do to overturn the result of Mrs.
Schiavo's case."

Terri's father thanked pro-life advocates who have been helping them
to prevent their daughter's painful death.

"We thank you with all our hearts for your concern for our daughter,
and for your help in trying to save her," Schindler said.

Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo's family - http://www.terrisfight.org

http://www.lifenews.com/bio701.html




Terri Schiavo Didn't Deserve Her Own Attorney, Feeding Tube Can be
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 12, 2005

Clearwater, FL(LifeNews.com) -- A local judge has refused to
reconsider his ruling allowing the estranged husband of Terri
Schiavo to remove her feeding tube and begin a painful week-long
starvation process.

Circuit Court Judge George Greer rejected arguments made by
attorneys for her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, that she never
had her own attorney during the decade long legal battle between
them and Michael Schiavo.

The Schindlers say Terri's due process claims were violated as a
result.

Friday's decision could set up removal of the feeding tube on
February 22 unless Judge Greer puts another stay in place while the
Schindlers appeal his decision.

Judge Greer issued a nine-page written order on Friday saying the
Schindlers didn't show enough evidence to move forward on a hearing
on the due process claims.

"The respondents (the parents) have failed to show that failure to
appoint independent counsel violated statutory or constitutional due
process requirements that would void the court's (previous) order,"
Greer wrote.

He cited a ruling by the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal, which
previously said it was appropriate for Greer to serve as an
independent advocate for Terri as he considered the arguments by
both sides.

"In reviewing the many boxes of court filings," Schindler attorney
David Gibbs said before the ruling, "we cannot find a single
instance where Terri was afforded the right of every American to
have a lawyer who would represent her own interests."

George Felos, the euthanasia advocate who is Michael's lead
attorney, told the Associated Press he wasn't surprised by the
ruling.

"I don't think it's any surprise the judge decided not to declare
his order void after it's been reviewed by 20 or 30 appellate
justices," Felos said.

He indicated he expected the Schindlers to appeal the ruling, which
could push back the date for removing the feeding tube. Felos also
said Michael intends to remove the feeding tube unless legally
prevented from doing so by another stay.

The Schindlers have other legal motions in play that could spare
Terri's life a little longer.

They are appealing a decision by the 2nd District court saying that
starving Terri to death does not violate her religious liberties.
The Schindlers hope the U.S. Supreme Court will agree that, as a
Catholic, Terri would oppose Michael's euthanasia bid.

The Schindlers also have a third motion in court that asks Judge
Greer to remove Michael as Terri's legal guardian because of
numerous conflicts of interest.

http://www.lifenews.com/bio696.html






Terri Schiavo's Feeding Tube Could be Removed in Two Weeks, Parents
Fight

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 10, 2005

http://www.lifenews.com/bio692.html





Terri Schiavo Foundation Fined by Florida Over Missing Paperwork


by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 8, 2005

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Terri Schiavo's Parents Lose Religious Liberties Argument at Appeals
Court

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 8, 2005

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Euthanasia Crusader Jack Kevorkian Back in Prison After Hernia
Surgery

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 7, 2005

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Pro-Life Advocates Will Head to Florida if Terri Schiavo Threatened

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 4, 2005

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Jack Kevorkian Released From Prison for Hernia Operation, Gov. Won't
Pardon

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 4, 2005

http://www.lifenews.com/bio675.html




Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" Euthanasia Plot Offends
Disabled


by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 3, 2005


Los Angeles, CA (LifeNews.com) -- In a year featuring an
unprecedented number of films promoting abortion and assisted
suicide, Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" is the latest to
have viewers up in arms.

The boxing drama is up for an Academy Award, but disabled activists
and pro-life advocates are upset because the movie promotes a very
negative view of those with serious disabilities and promotes
euthanasia.

The movie features Eastwood, a boxing trainer who serves as a mentor
for fighter Maggie Fitzgerald (played by Hilary Swank). The two
develop a father-daughter relationship as Swank's character rises to
the top of the boxing world.

When an opponent leaves Fitzgerald paralyzed from the neck down
after a devastating blow, she decides she would rather die than
continue her life. She asks Eastwood's character, Frankie Dunn, to
help her.

After some excruciating soul searching, he does.

Marcie Roth, director of the National Spinal Cord Injury
Association, says she doesn't like the film's conclusion because so
many still wrongly believe that "having a spinal-cord injury is a
fate worse than death."

"Unfortunately, a message like the one in `Million Dollar Baby' just
perpetuates exactly what we work so hard to dispel," she told the
Associated Press.

"The movie is saying `death is better than disability," Roth adds.

Debbie Schlussel pans the film and says it will continue earning
awards becasue "it's Hollywood's best political propaganda of the
year ... it supports killing the handicapped, literally putting
their lights out.''

Eastwood, who directs and stars in the movie, says the characters'
choices aren't meant to promoted assisted suicide. Instead, the
movie is intended to stick closely to the book it by author F.X.
Toole on which it's based.

"How the character handles it is certainly different than how I
might handle it if I were in that position in real life,'' Eastwood
told the Associated Press. "Every story is a 'what if.'''

The criticism leads some to say that the movie will be a shoo-in for
Oscar voters.


"All the conservative outcry is going to steel Oscar voters in favor
of this movie," says Entertainment Weekly's Dave Karger. "It already
has the most emotional power of any of the [best picture] nominees,
and this is going to intensify that sentiment."

Us Weekly film critic Thelma Adams tells USA Today that Oscar voters
probably strongly favor "Million Dollar Baby's" pro-euthansaia
stance.

"They were probably thinking, 'Hurry up with the needle,'" she
says. "They were wondering what took so long."

That hasn't stopped disabled advocates from the Chicago-based Not
Dead Yet from protesting at movie theaters.

Eastwood earned honors for best director for the film at the Golden
Globes, Swank received the best actress award and the two, along
with co-star Morgan Freeman, are up for Oscar Awards later this
month.

http://www.lifenews.com/bio674.html





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Battle

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 2, 2005

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LifeNews.com Editor
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Terri Schiavo Gets Worse Treatment Than Convicted Felons, Attorney
Says

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 1, 2005

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Terri Schiavo's Parents Continue Plea for Michael to Give Up Legal
Fight

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 31, 2005


http://www.lifenews.com/bio663.html





Former Terri Schiavo Legal Advocate: New Medical Exam Needed

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 26, 2005

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Terri Schiavo's Parents Ask Her Estranged Husband to Divorce

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 26, 2005

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Supreme Court Ruling Could Lead to Removing Terri Schiavo's Feeding
Tube

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 25, 2005

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Supreme Court Decision on Terri Schiavo Condemned, Bush Won't Give Up

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 25, 2005

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 24, 2005

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Supreme Court Will Decide This Week on Accepting Terri Schiavo Case

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 17, 2005





British Policeman Will Not Serve Jail Time for Euthanasia Death of
Wife

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 14, 2005


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Terri Schiavo's Parents Ask Court to Rehear Religious Liberties Case

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 12, 2005

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Terri Schiavo's Parents Want Estranged Husband's Guardianship Ended

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 11, 2005

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Terri Schiavo's Parents Ask Court to Prevent Removing Feeding Tube

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 6, 2005

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Attorney for Terri Schiavo's Parents Say Terri Responsive, Not
Comatose

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 4, 2005

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Pro-Life Law Firm Files Supreme Court Brief in Terri Schiavo's Law
Case

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 31, 2004

http://www.lifenews.com/bio629.html





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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 29, 2004

http://www.lifenews.com/bio627.html






Appeals Court Rejects Terri Schiavo's Parents' Religious Liberties
Arguments

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 29, 2004

http://www.lifenews.com/bio626.html





Terri Schiavo's Father Calls Husband's Decision to Exit Lawsuit a
Ploy


by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 29, 2004

http://www.lifenews.com/bio625.html





Terri Schiavo's Husband Won't Participate in Part of Legal Battle

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 28, 2004

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 27, 2004

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 21, 2004

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British Pro-Life Groups Doubtful Euthanasia Bill Will be Fixed

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 15, 2004

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British Parliament Holds Furious Debate Over Bill Legalizing
Euthanasia

by Steven Ertelt
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December 14, 2004

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by Paul Nowak
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December 14, 2004

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Dutch Hospital That Kills Newborns Via Euthanasia Says Practice
Widespread

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
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Over His Living Will

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December 10, 2004

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Russian Girls Found Guilty in Mercy Killing Case, Prompts Euthanasia
Debate

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December 8, 2004

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British Woman Granted Suicide Trip to Switzerland Has Died

by Steven Ertelt
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December 6, 2004

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Doctors in Oregon Concerned About Newborn Euthanasia in the
Netherlands

by Steven Ertelt
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December 6, 2004

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Dutch Doctors Want Guidelines on Euthanasia After Hospital Kills
Newborns

by Steven Ertelt
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December 2, 2004

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Governor Bush Files Request for Supreme Court to Save Terri Schiavo

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 2, 2004

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Florida Supreme Court Lifts Stay, Terri Schiavo's Life Still
Protected

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 1, 2004

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Lawmakers in France Unanimously Back Passive Euthanasia Measure

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November 30, 2004

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Netherlands Hospital Begins Euthanasia of Babies Without Official
Approval

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November 30, 2004

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U.K. Judge: Husband Can Take Woman to Switzerland for Assisted
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November 30, 2004

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Florida Hospital Can Kill Man Via Euthanasia Over Wife's Objections

by Steven Ertelt
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November 26, 2004

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Canadian Official Wants to Re-Open Debate on Euthanasia, Assisted
Suicide

by Paul Nowak
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November 23, 2004

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Pro-Euthanasia Groups Finalize Merger, Will Promote Assisted Suicide

by Steven Ertelt
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November 19, 2004

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Terri Schiavo's Parents Oppose Motion to Lift Stay Protecting Her
Life

by Steven Ertelt
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November 17, 2004

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Pope Condemns Euthanasia, Applauds Portugal on Pro-Life Abortion Laws

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November 13, 2004

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Oregon Governor Slams Attorney General's Appeal of Assisted Suicide
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by Steven Ertelt
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November 11, 2004

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Oregon Governor Slams Attorney General's Appeal of Assisted Suicide
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by Steven Ertelt
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November 11, 2004

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California Lawmakers Discuss Proposal to Legalize Assisted Suicide

by Steven Ertelt
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February 4, 2005

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