Reply #298: Another one, from a "secondary source"--

[janx]

To: TAdams8591

A MUST READ!!!



Voice for Terri
Pro-Life Leaders Working Together to Save Terri Schiavo
Please Help Us Rescue Terri Schiavo From a Horrible Death by Starvation!
February 21st, 2005
The moment her feeding tube is removed, Terri Schiavo will begin a long, slow, painful death by starvation and dehydration.

WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW to rescue Terri from her cruel executioners. They’ve already tried to kill her once before, and she fought to stay alive.

But this may be the last chance Terri gets.

Will you help save her life?

A Special Appeal from Pro-Life Leaders Working Together to Save Terri Schiavo

Fr. Frank Pavone * Rev. Patrick Mahoney * Rev. Rob Schenck
Joe Scheidler * Troy Newman * Brandi Swindell * Mike McMonagle

Dear Friend,

Medical experts all agree that death by starvation and dehydration is perhaps the most painful, the most tortuous, and the most agonizing way to die.

Let’s face it: The human body must have water and nutrition! Just try going for one day without ANY food or liquids—and see how you feel. You won’t like it!

But in the case of Terri Schiavo—the disabled woman in Florida whose husband wants her gastro feeding tube removed so that she’ll die by starvation and dehydration—a nationwide controversy has erupted over the “right” to kill someone who can’t defend herself… can’t feed herself… and can’t speak for herself.

No doubt you’ve heard of Terri’s case. But unfortunately, you probably haven’t been told the whole story.

So if you’ll take the next few minutes to read the facts of this case, we think you’ll agree that putting Terri to death by starvation and dehydration would be the most cruel thing her husband could possibly do. And for the courts, the doctors, and our society to allow it—and participate in it—would be a crime against the sanctity of human life… and put every disabled person’s life in danger.
Lies, Myths, and Misconceptions
About Terri

Be a voice for Terri SchiavoIf you’ve heard about Terri only through the news media, you’ve probably been led to believe that Terri is in a coma… that she’s brain dead… that she’s a vegetable… that she’s on extraordinary life support… or that she wants to die but her parents stubbornly won’t let it happen.

Let me state categorically that nothing could be further from the truth!

Terri is NOT brain dead. She is NOT in a coma. She is NOT in a “persistent vegetative state.” And she is not on ANY life-support system.

She merely receives food and liquid through a gastro feeding tube because her brain injury prevents her from being able to swallow. In other words, Terri depends on food and water to stay alive—just like you and me!

Yes, her brain injury left her disabled. But there are tens of thousands of disabled people who depend on gastro feeding tubes every day, and they live otherwise normal lives.

Terri can breathe for herself. She is not on a ventilator. Her vital organs are working fine, which means she is not hooked up to a machine. Furthermore, she is not dying or being “kept alive” by artificial means. She does not have a terminal disease, and she will be able to feel pain if she is starved to death.

And that could start to happen in the next few days.

If her husband, Michael Schiavo, finally gets his way, he will force the medical staff at the hospice to remove Terri’s feeding tube so that she dies a horrible, painful death.
Why Does Michael Want Terri To Die?

It’s hard to say. When Terri suffered her brain injury in 1990 (which, by the way, occurred under very suspicious circumstances involving possible physical violence), Michael filed a malpractice lawsuit and was awarded $1.2 million in damages—blaming Terri’s condition on something the hospital staff did wrong when they were treating her.

In the malpractice trial, Michael told the jury that he dearly loved his wife and wanted to take care of her for the rest of his life. The $1.2 million was awarded specifically so that he could afford to give her the therapy and rehabilitation she required.

But then, soon after the money came in, Michael did an about-face and immediately terminated all of Terri’s therapy and rehab. And in 1998, he suddenly “remembered” that she once told him that she wouldn’t want to be “kept alive” artificially. So for the last 7 years, he has sought to get her gastro tube removed so that she would die by starvation and dehydration.

But being fed by a gastro tube does not qualify as “being kept alive artificially”! If you asked all the people who depend on their gastro tube if they would prefer to die because they’re being fed by a gastro tube, they would respond with a resounding “NO!”

But due to her brain injury, Terri can’t speak for herself. She has difficulty communicating. So she really can’t say if Michael is telling the truth or not—and whether or not she wants to die.

But we believe Terri does not want to die.

When her parents visit her, Terri laughs… she cries… she moves… and she makes child-like attempts at speech with her mother and father. Sometimes she will say “Mom” or “Dad” or “yeah” when they ask her a question. And when they kiss her hello or goodbye, she looks at them and “puckers up” her lips.

She’s able to sit in a chair… she loves to listen to her favorite music… and she recognizes her brother and sister when they come to visit.

She is definitely not in a “persistent vegetative state” (PVS). In fact, four board-certified neurologists… two board-certified internists… numerous other doctors… two speech pathologists… and a neuro-psychologist all say that Terri is not in PVS. Several of her nurses came forward to say this, too.

Other experts long ago confirmed that Terri could achieve significant recovery and lead a long, happy life if she were given proper rehab.

But Michael refused to allow proper rehab.

He also put a “Do Not Resuscitate” order on Terri’s chart. He tried to prevent the nurses from treating Terri’s infections—expecting her to develop sepsis and die. He did not allow her to be given speech or swallow therapy. He did not allow her to be given a “system” for communicating. He wouldn’t even let the nurses in the hospice put a rolled-up washcloth in her hand so that her fingers wouldn’t curl in!

Michael Schiavo hears prolife pleas for Terri's life outside his home.And get this: Soon after the malpractice money came in, Michael had Terri’s cats put to death… he stopped all her antibiotics… and he melted down her wedding ring for cash!

What’s more, he wouldn’t let her receive visits from the cute little doggies that they take through the hospices to cheer up the patients. He put her in a tiny windowless room by herself, and she’s not allowed to have any contact with other patients. She can’t go outside and see the sun. Plus, he turns family photos toward the wall so she can’t see them!

As anyone can see, Michael wants Terri to die – not get better.

In fact, even though he and Terri are still technically married, he’s been living with another woman. In fact, he has already fathered two children with her.

Even Larry King—when he interviewed Bob and Mary Schindler several months ago (September 27, 2004)—couldn’t figure out why Michael insists that Terri must die… especially when the Schindlers have begged him to let them take care of her for the rest of her life.

Michael has repeatedly told the Schindlers, “This is my wife. I will make the decisions, and you have nothing to say about it!”
But WHY?!?

Suspicions grew when the Schindlers found out about a bone scan that Terri underwent back in 1991. The doctors conducted this scan because Terri would cry out in pain during the little bit of therapy she had early on, and it turned up many shocking facts.

For instance, the physician who conducted the bone scan, Dr. W. Campbell Walker, wrote in his report, “This patient has a history of trauma.” He listed apparent injuries (mostly fractures) to Terri’s ribs, her lumbar vertebrae, her sacroiliac joints (which are near the hip), both her ankles, and both her knees.

Famed New York forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden – who was contacted by the news media, not the Schindlers – looked at this report last year and concluded, “It shows evidence that there are bone fractures that are in a healing stage… The trauma could be from some kind of beating that she obtained from somebody somewhere. It’s something that should have been investigated in 1991.”

But of course, Michael Schiavo never allowed the Schindlers to see the bone scan report. And when they sought to have it investigated after they found out about it three years ago, the courts refused to permit it.

All of this might lead you to ask…
How Could Someone Do All This
To Another Human Being?!?

We don’t know. We honestly don’t know.

If you tried to starve your dog to death, you’d feel the full force of the law and the wrath of every decent person in society.

But these days, if you want to get rid of someone because they’re “inconvenient,” you can do it “legally.” Euthanasia and abortion, you see, are two sides of the same evil coin. In order for society to justify killing an innocent person, we must first view them as being “sub-human.”

Unborn babies, for instance, are not “persons” in the eyes of the law, ever since Roe v. Wade. Therefore, if you don’t want the baby, you can kill it.

And thanks to the euthanasia movement, disabled patients such as Terri are deemed “unfit to live” and given “death with dignity.”

But all the compassionate rhetoric in the world can’t disguise one simple fact: Deliberately ending the life of an innocent human being who could easily live with ordinary care is murder, plain and simple.

Terri is a Catholic and the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines euthanasia as, “An action or an omission which, of itself or by intention, causes the death of handicapped, sick, or dying persons – sometimes with an attempt to justify the act as a means of eliminating suffering.”

The Catechism states that euthanasia “violates the fifth commandment of the law of God.”

“The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded,” it adds.

Many Americans don’t realize that Terri is NOT being kept alive against her will.

She is NOT being kept alive by “extraordinary means.”

And she is NOT in a “persistent vegetative state.”

She’s simply disabled, and needs proper care just like any other severely disabled person.

That’s why fourteen disability-rights organizations have filed “friend-of-the court” briefs to keep Terri alive. They know what this case means for other disabled persons.

Board-certified neurologist Dr. Jacob Green of Jacksonville, Florida, who examined Terri, said unequivocally: “She is not in a vegetative state.” When asked if it would be ethical to remove her feeding tube, he said, “I’d call it murder. They’re taking away any chance.”
WHY?

As you can undoubtedly see, this case really isn’t about the so-called “right-to-die,” as the news media calls it. It’s about Michael Schiavo attempting to kill his wife—and collect a lot of money that was supposed to go toward her therapy and rehabilitation. (“The love of money is the root of all evil. – 1 Tim. 6:10”)

The fight goes onAs far as the Schindler family is concerned, they’re fighting for Terri’s life because they love her very much. They don’t want her to be put to death. They don’t want her to suffer at the cruel hands of Michael Schiavo any longer. They want to help her get the rehabilitation and therapy she needs so badly. They want her to be happy and cared for by the people who love her.

Michael, on the other hand, wants her dead.

So does the ACLU, the Hemlock Society, and many other pro-death groups. They realize that if they lose this case, it will set the euthanasia movement back decades.

Pro-lifers and Christians of all kinds from all over the country and around the world are coming to Terri’s defense because, first of all, they can’t bear the thought of an innocent woman being murdered by the most painful death of all: starvation and dehydration.

And secondly, this fight is about whether or not we will allow the “culture of death” to completely take over our nation. If we lose this case, the floodgates will be wide open.

It’s also about keeping morality in medicine. Because doctors are supposed to heal, not kill.

It’s about teaching our children to have respect for life at all stages—from conception to natural death.

And it’s about whether or not our country will follow God’s laws—or be drenched in “blood-guilt” from all the innocent people we permit to be murdered with our full knowledge and consent.

A society is judged by how it treats its weakest members. The future of our society is at stake here. Will we, as the human family, have the readiness to care … or the willingness to kill?

No one has the right to make a judgment as to whose quality of life is better than another person’s. There’s no such thing as a worthless life.
What Must We Do?
And How Can YOU Help?

The Schindler family and dozens of pro-life attorneys from around the country have tried everything they could to keep Michael Schiavo, the courts, and the euthanasia fanatics from killing Terri.

But right now, time is running out for Terri. Her feeding tube could be removed THIS WEEK!!!

If it is, she will begin a long, slow, painful process of death by starvation and dehydration.

In fact, not long ago, Nurse Cheryl Ford–who took care of Terri at Woodside Hospice in Tampa, Florida—found an “Exit Protocol” in Terri’s file.

This “Exit Protocol” is a recipe for how to kill someone by starvation and dehydration, and then manage their symptoms while they slowly die.

* For instance, the nurses will put lip balm on Terri because her lips will crack, peel, and bleed from the dehydration.
* They’ll use body lotion because Terri’s skin will begin to break down and show signs of flaking, drying, cracking, or being parched.
* They’ll put a “scopolamine patch” behind her ear to enhance the drying up of saliva and other secretions.
* “Chux pads” will need to be used—and changed quite often because of incontinence of Terri’s bowels and bladder.
* When Terri begins to writhe in pain (multifocal myoclonus) and she becomes agitated from metabolic changes and electrolyte imbalances due to no fluids or nutrition, the attending staff will have to give her 5 to 10 mg of Valium (diazepam)—rectally—every 4 hours.
* If Terri experiences a Grand Mal seizure, they’ll give her 15 mg of Valium immediately, and then as needed thereafter.
* When her body shows signs of an inability to breathe by gasping for air (dyspnea), they will immediately give Terri 2 to 4 mg of morphine every 4 hours.
* And all of this will go on for 7 to 10 days…

Until Terri’s DEAD!

Radio talk show host Barbara Simpson had these timely insights…

“If this comes to pass, the court, the lawyers, the American Civil Liberties Union and Michael Schiavo will be responsible for Terri’s death… and also the deaths of others with cognitive disabilities who will be killed the same way once their families and lawyers use this case as precedent.

“Every living person, able or not, should be afraid. Very afraid. We’re all in danger from this immoral and illegal action, which makes it easier for someone to decide who lives or dies, when, and under what conditions.

“Terri Schiavo lives—day to day. She has survived a mysterious injury, 14 years of medical neglect and mistreatment, the actions of her husband, and the backhand of the courts. On that basis alone, she deserves to live.

“God help her. And help us too, if we allow her murder to take place.”
Terri Will Be Killed
If We Don’t Do Everything We Can!

Because virtually every legal effort to save Terri’s life has been slapped down by the courts—including the United States Supreme Court!—Terri’s feeding tube is scheduled to be removed as early as February 23rd… just two days from now!

The last time Terri’s feeding tube was removed—in October of 2003—she was forced to suffer without ANY food or water for 6-1/2 DAYS!!! It takes as little as 10 to 14 agonizing days to die of starvation and dehydration. But thanks be to God, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush stepped in and rescued Terri in the nick of time.

We hope he can do that again—but it will require a miracle.
And This Is Where YOU Come In…

The attorneys who are fighting for Terri’s life have a few more possible ways to prevent Terri’s murder. But these are last-ditch efforts that may or may not work. The courts are decidedly on Michael’s side—not Terri’s.

So that means we all have to come to Terri’s aid—especially through the amazing power of prayer and sacrifice—but also by sharing this story with everybody you know… by helping us get the truth to the news media and the American people… and by encouraging Governor Jeb Bush to do everything he can to rescue Terri once again.

Right now, we, the signers of this appeal, are in Florida fighting for Terri’s life on several different fronts: We’re meeting with key legislators and helping to get a new law passed that would save Terri’s life. We’re holding massive rallies and prayer vigils at the courthouse, the State Capitol, and the hospice where Terri lives. We’re even demonstrating outside Michael Schiavo’s home—urging him to let Terri live. We’re also networking with churches all over Florida and giving talks to educate the public.

The problem is, we don’t have enough money to keep this major campaign going. We all came down here with just the money in our pockets—taking a giant leap of faith that good people like you would come through for us so we could stay here as long as needed to save Terri.

We currently need $20,000 to keep going. So we’re hoping you’ll be able to help us out by making a secure, online donation of $35 or more today. That money will go directly to this project—which means you’ll be playing a vital role in the fight to save Terri’s life.

We believe there’s an excellent chance that, by putting enough pressure on the courts, the legislature, and Michael Schiavo, we CAN save Terri’s life.

But it’s going to take a determined, concerted effort on everyone’s part.

In fact, here are all the things we’re asking you to do…

1.) First, we want you to PRAY for Terri—harder than ever before! Not enough people are praying for Terri right now. And she needs our prayers now more than ever!

2.) Second, we want to ask you to FAST along with Terri if and when her feeding tube gets removed—and then offer up your sacrifices for her. If you can physically handle it, avoid taking any food or liquids for one whole day. By doing this, you’ll experience firsthand the unspeakable cruelty and pain that Terri will be suffering when they remove her feeding tube. Then offer that up for her sake.

3.) Third, please ENCOURAGE Governor Bush to do everything he can to rescue Terri. Since time is of the essence, we recommend that you send him an e-mail by clicking this link: [email protected] Or, if you prefer, you can call his office at the Florida State Capitol at 850-488-4441.

4.) Fourth, if you can, DEMONSTRATE with us in front of Terri’s hospice in Pinellas, Florida. We need thousands upon thousands of good people to be there as a witness against this blatant murder of an innocent woman. We will demonstrate night and day, as well as start a hunger strike (for those who are able). So if you live in or near Florida, or you can make the trip from anywhere in the United States, please do. We need you.

5.) Fifth, please GIVE a donation of $35 or more to help cover the costs of defending Terri in her most pressing hour of need. We are calling this project “Voice for Terri”—because Terri can’t speak for herself. So we will be there to speak for her. And the more help we receive from good people like you from all around the country, the louder and stronger Terri’s Voice will be. Please make a secure online donation by clicking this link: DONATE HERE
(We had so little time to set this up, the tax-deducible donation will go through ORW)

6.) And finally, please FORWARD this e-mail to everyone on your e-mail list. The more people who know the true story about Terri Schiavo and how she is in imminent danger of being murdered, the greater our chances of achieving a victory in this life-or-death struggle between good and evil.

It’s hard to believe, but there are many hard-hearted people out there who believe that, due to Terri’s condition, she is “better off dead.” Words cannot describe the pain and anger such sentiments cause Terri’s family.

This is their daughter, their little girl. And even in her disabled condition, she still has the right to life and the right to be loved and cared for by her family.

Terri doesn’t have to die. If you’ll carry out five or six of the steps above, we believe we can win this battle and save Terri’s life.

But without your help, she’s dead.

Please do your part—immediately—because tomorrow may be too late.

Thank you… and God bless.

Signed,
Fr. Frank Pavone
Priests For Life

Rev. Patrick Mahoney
Christian Defense Coalition

Rev. Rob Schenck
National Clergy Council
Joe Scheidler
Pro-Life Action League

Troy Newman
Operation Rescue

Brandi Swindell
Generation Life
Mike McMonagle
Family Life Educational Foundation

URGENT Reply Memo
YES! You can definitely count on my support to help save Terri’s life during this critical time!

Be a voice for Terri SchiavoI can’t believe they want to starve her to death—something our society wouldn’t even do to cats or dogs! The public needs to know the truth about this case. Therefore, I’m sending the largest contribution I can make at this time to the emergency pro-life coalition known as “Voice for Terri” so you can fight for Terri in Florida this week and beyond.

I also promise to pray for Terri… to contact Governor Jeb Bush… and to forward this e-mail to everyone on my list. Here’s my tax-deductible gift in the amount of…

* Please consider sending an Emergency Gift of $35 or more so we have the necessary resources to wage this life-or-death campaign on Terri’s behalf. Remember: She can’t speak for herself, so we are the Voice for Terri.

Voice for Terri Project
Post Office Box 77168
Washington, DC 20013

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Terri Shiavo
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Ministries
o Christian Defense Coalition
o Family Life Educational Foundation
o National Clergy Council
o Operation Rescue
o Generation Life
o Pro-Life Action League
o Priests For Life
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More Information
o Terri's Fight

Voice for Terri Project
Post Office Box 77168
Washington, DC 20013

Voice for Terri is hosted by OptimusMedia.com
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3,997 posted on 02/25/2005 6:45:47 PM MST by danamco
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