The Terri Schiavo Case
The Terri Schiavo Case
Research Essay
ISU
On February 28, 1990, twenty six-year old Terri Schiavo suffered severe brain damage when her heart stopped for five minutes. Terri's condition was the subject of intense debate and media scrutiny over the subject of euthanasia and guardianship. Given the circumstances of Terri's vegetated condition, and no physical proof of her wishes, the last word on whether or not Terri would stay alive was given to her husband Michael Schiavo, by the state of Florida. Michael's argument was that he was carrying out her wishes to not be kept alive in that state. Terri's family challenged Michael's claims saying she is responsive and in no discomfort, that her condition does not meet the medical definition of "vegetative," and that she would not wish to die. Although she never wrote a living will expressing a wish to refuse nutrition or medical treatment if disabled, her condition and future life span should have been her family's decision rather then her husbands. Despite of Michael's intentions, the method of starvation as a means of relieving her of her pains and suffering can still be seen as down right unethical as it is immoral. Terri suffered a legal and public murder. Though Mr. Michael Schiavo's intention and objective were presented as selfless, the government had failed to look into other mitigating reasons for his choice.
A living will provides written orders and documentation to ensure your wishes are executed. Once a will is made your family and loved ones are spared doubt and guilt, along with emotional pain, and undue legal expenses. The reason people consider signing a living will is that they may not be physically able to communicate their intentions when certain circumstances arise. When someone signs a living will, there should be at least one part of the will which is clearly written concerning how he or she wishes to be cared for if physical situations arise where a medical recovery is not expected.
In Terri
Research Essay
ISU
On February 28, 1990, twenty six-year old Terri Schiavo suffered severe brain damage when her heart stopped for five minutes. Terri's condition was the subject of intense debate and media scrutiny over the subject of euthanasia and guardianship. Given the circumstances of Terri's vegetated condition, and no physical proof of her wishes, the last word on whether or not Terri would stay alive was given to her husband Michael Schiavo, by the state of Florida. Michael's argument was that he was carrying out her wishes to not be kept alive in that state. Terri's family challenged Michael's claims saying she is responsive and in no discomfort, that her condition does not meet the medical definition of "vegetative," and that she would not wish to die. Although she never wrote a living will expressing a wish to refuse nutrition or medical treatment if disabled, her condition and future life span should have been her family's decision rather then her husbands. Despite of Michael's intentions, the method of starvation as a means of relieving her of her pains and suffering can still be seen as down right unethical as it is immoral. Terri suffered a legal and public murder. Though Mr. Michael Schiavo's intention and objective were presented as selfless, the government had failed to look into other mitigating reasons for his choice.
A living will provides written orders and documentation to ensure your wishes are executed. Once a will is made your family and loved ones are spared doubt and guilt, along with emotional pain, and undue legal expenses. The reason people consider signing a living will is that they may not be physically able to communicate their intentions when certain circumstances arise. When someone signs a living will, there should be at least one part of the will which is clearly written concerning how he or she wishes to be cared for if physical situations arise where a medical recovery is not expected.
In Terri
Bibliography: Author (if available). "Title of article." Publication Title Volume number. (if a journal include issue number) Date of publication (in parentheses if a journal): Pages. Supplier or Vendor. Database Name. AN (Accession number, if available). Access date. Author/editor (if available). "Title of article." Title of Web site Date of last update (if available). Access date. . Foster, Sarah. " LIFE AND DEATH TUG OF WAR. " World Net Daily November 5, 2003. May 28, 2005. < WorldNetDaily.com > "Terri Schiavo 'Responsive ' Until Death. 'This is a case of throwing away a disabled person '." Life Site News, 2005-APR-01. B.A. Robinson. " Euthanasia and Terri Schiavo." Religious Tolerance, 2005-APR-01, May 21, 2005. < www.religioustolerance.org > Zogby Poll: Americans Not in Favor of Starving Terri Schiavo. Priests for life. May 15, 2005 < http://www.priestsforlife.org/euthanasia/05-04-01zogbypoll.htm > " The sad case of Terri Schiavo" Economist. Mar 23rd 2005, april 29, 2005