BERGEN COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE

Terri Starved to Death

On 3/31/2005, Terri Schiavo passed away, after enduring 13 painful days of starvation and dehydration that courts failed to prevent. Her life and death have launched a national debate about euthanasia and the rights of the disabled, as well as the part that the judiciary is playing in these decisions.

Prior to removal of the feeding tube, Terri was not terminal or dying, or even in pain or suffering, and was not on a respirator. Terri did not leave instructions regarding treatment prior to becoming disabled.

Schiavo’s parents, the Schindlers, spent years in courts trying to prevent her starvation, but courts ruled in favor of Terri`s legal guardian, her estranged husband Michael Schiavo. Schiavo has a common-law wife and children, and may have had a conflict of interest.

Her feeding tube was removed 3 times at Michael Schiavo’s request. Pro-life organizations and disability rights activists joined together to support the Schindlers in their effort to save Terri’s life. The third time that she was denied food and water, Congress passed legislation to protect her. The measure received President Bush`s approval, but three Florida and six federal courts ignored the bill`s mandate to halt her starvation.

Burke Balch of the National Right to Life Committee, said, "Terri Schiavo’s death is a gross injustice and it marks a sad day in our history when our society allows Terri and others like her who have severe disabilities to be discarded in such a cruel and inhumane manner.”