Terri Schiavo's situation

[Chilly_Willy]

I read a short email about signing a petition to help her family get custody of her, instead of letting her die. I am not too familiar with this situation in Florida, anyone know anything current about it?? Taking someone off a food tube and life support may be killing someone or letting someone pass on depending on the situations and your opinion on this matter, but if she's showing improvement why are they giving up on her? Here's the email....

Dear Friend:

A potential tragedy is unfolding in Florida at this very moment that has the potential of becoming another major advance for the culture of
death. A young disabled woman is in danger of being starved to death at the request of her husband, who already is living with another woman even though he is legally married to her. He also stands to gain
financially from her death. Please go to CatholicPetitions.com to see
what is about to happen without your help. Here's the address:
http://www.catholicpetitions.com/petitions.php?id=226
Please read about Terri Schiavo's dire situation and then sign a
petition asking Gov. Jeb Bush and Florida's Attorney General to
intervene in her case and keep her life from being taken. Urge a full
investigation be made in how Terri suffered brain damage and how she
could yet recover from it.

Terri Schiavo suffered a collapse in 1990 that deprived her of oxygen
for several minutes, causing the brain damage. She receives nutrition
and hydration by a feeding tube, but is receiving no other life-support measures. Her husband has petitioned Florida courts to remove her feeding tube despite clear medical evidence that Terri is able to
communicate and respond to commands. Don't let that happen! Act now at: http://www.catholicpetitions.com/petitions.php?id=226

There's more: 13 physicians say Terri can recover with proper therapy!
Her husband, however, has denied her this therapy. He already is living with another woman even though he still is legally married to Terri. In addition, there is medical evidence foul play may have caused her brain damage.

Terri's parents have battled for years on her behalf, but the court now has ruled in the husband's favor. An appeal is in the works, but will it come fast enough to save her? The process of starving Terri to death will begin any day -- unless you and others create such an outcry that Florida officials must stop the life-taking effort and investigate.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. This is the part of assisted suicide that makes me uncomfortable

as well. But if she is able to communicate how does his will trump hers?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. I Have The Same Issues with Assisted Suicide

and I think starvation has to be one of the most inhumane ways to go.

What is her husband's excuse? Cost? I understand wanting to move on and marry again, but she shouldn't have to die.

[Chilly_Willy]

3. go to the article on the website

It shows a picture of her, eyes open, leaning towards her mother. I still don't understand how they decided it's time for her to die when physicians have said she can helped and shows improvement???

The republicans are all over this situation and upset, I don't think this is political, I think this is a shame. I don't care about the husbands own morals, but how can he decide what's right for her? Maybe he just feels so guilty. Why doesn't he get a divorce if he's obviously moved on with his life and let her family take care of her?

[Chilly_Willy]

4. So no one else has anything to say about assisted suicide?

I wonder why this isn't a big topic on DU, is it too controversial or just not interesting enough to debate about? Well until I understand more about this, I am in fear what if the same thing happened to someone you know and all b/c the husband gave up on his wife?