CNN.com – Florida intervenes again in Schiavo case – Mar 23, 2005
The Congress wrote a law just for Terri so that the federal courts could get involved. The federal judge refused to reinstate the feeding tube. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to hear the appeal. The Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal. Every single state-level and federal-level court involved in this seven-year ordeal has sided with Michael Schiavo.
Now the newest twist in this case. Governor Jebby has strong-armed the Florida Department of Children and Families to file a petition so the state can take custody of her.
(I know some of you may be sick of the Schiavo case. I’m fascinated, because it touches one of my pet issues; the right to die. There’s more to read after the jump, if you so choose. Let me close on this idea: Is anyone ready for the class-four shitstorm we’re going to hear from the FEBACs™ if Terri Schiavo dies on Easter Sunday?)
A petition by the Florida Department of Children and Families said a neurologist who examined Schiavo’s medical records found she was “most likely in a state of minimal consciousness” rather than the persistent vegetative state previous doctors have diagnosed.
Oh, really? I guess all those other doctors who found her vegetative were wrong, and all the courts that have sided with them were wrong. Who is this marvel of medical detective work?
In the affidavit filed on behalf of the state, Dr. William Cheshire, a board-certified neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, stated that his review of Schiavo raises “serious doubt” about the current diagnosis. He said she displayed “context-specific” reactions to stimuli, such as upbeat music, colorful objects or the arrival of people into the room.
“I could not withhold life-sustaining nutrition from this beautiful lady whose face brightens in the presence of others.”
…he said with a grin. (Cheshire? grin? I couldn’t resist.) So what sort of in-depth investigation did you perform, Dr. Bill?
Cheshire said he reviewed Schiavo’s medical records, watched videotapes and observed her at the Pinellas Park hospice earlier this month.
But he was unable to directly examine her, Department of Children and Families Secretary Lucy Hadi told reporters.
Oh, I see. You wouldn’t happen to be from the Dr. Bill Frist School of Videotape Diagnosis, would you?
Cheshire is also director of biotech ethics at the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, a group founded in 1994 to recognize the contribution of “biblical values” to the bioethical debate.
Well, as long as there aren’t any sort of ulterior motives involved. I wonder what other doctors have to say about this?
Three other doctors — two chosen by Schiavo’s husband, Michael, and one chosen by the court — concluded she was in a persistent vegetative state.
Ronald Cranford of the University of Minnesota, a neurologist who was among those who made a previous diagnosis of Schiavo, said “there isn’t a reputable, credible neurologist in the world who won’t find her in a vegetative state.”
Hmm, the doctors, the state courts, the federal courts, and a majority of the public are against you, and just now the Florida Legislature refused to take further action in the case. What’s left for Georgie, Jebbie, the Schindlers, and the fringe anti-sanctity-of-marriage, anti-abortion, anti-rule-of-law crowd to pin their hopes upon?
The agency’s petition also alleges that 30 “detailed allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation” have been made against Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband and legal guardian, including a failure to provide his wife with adequate therapy.
I guess those eight years Michael spent hauling his wife around the country trying every standard and experimental therapy in the book weren’t “adequate”. What do the courts have to say about that?
Previous allegations of abuse have been investigated and dismissed during the 15 years Terri Schiavo has been incapacitated.
Oh, I see.
