A Good Question Indeed

The scene is set. A disabled woman lies in a nursing home, a victim of an apparent heart attack. Unable to communicate her own desires or needs she is caught in a battle between family members deciding whether she is fit to live. At risk is over one million dollars of a trust fund waiting to be cashed and the whispered allegations that the husband might have actually put her in this condition. An abusive husband, a disabled woman, a million dollars up for grabs - Sounds like an episode of CSI? How I wish it was.

Terri Schiavo of Florida is the woman in this true story of inalienable rights that has recently been given media attention. In short, at the age of 26 Terri supposedly suffered a collapse that left her in a severe disabled condition. She cannot feed herself nor speak however, she is not in a coma or on life-support. She is alert and able to respond to people and shows signs of joy, recognition and angst. A small feeding tube that keeps her alive is the only medical device interceding on her behalf.

After Terri’s collapse, she was admitted into a nursing home and promptly denied any rehabilitation for her condition by her husband, Michael Schiavo. Michael won a malpractice suit of $1.3 million dollars but has never opted to fund any rehabilitation for her. Why would he deny his wife a chance at the rehabilitation that doctors say could greatly improve her condition and even enable her to eat without a feeding tube?

This is a good question when you consider the money in the trust fund and the other woman that he is currently living with and has fathered children by. Add to that a recent report of a bone scan done after Terri’s collapse by pathologist Dr. Michael Baden revealing she had a history of broken bones and physical trauma.

The repeated attempts by Michael to remove Terri’s feeding tube have only been stopped by her parents, Mary and Robert Schindler’s, constant legal maneuvers to keep Terri alive. They have repeatedly asked Michael to divorce Terri and release her into their care which would enable him to carry on with his life, but he has refused. This case has been circulating in the Florida courts for several years and has reached as high as Gov. Jeb Bush who stopped a previous order to remove the tube that would end her life.

As Americans we should be extremely concerned about the outcome of this case. There are too many variables that need to be investigated that are being overlooked. We need to ask why they being overlooked? Is it fear of a battle between the “right to die” and the “right to live” groups? Is it laziness or indifference on the part of judges or the people handling the case? Or is it money, that age old factor making normally good people turn their eyes and their hearts away from doing what is right?

What is at stake here is not just one woman’s battle for life, but an apathetic attitude sweeping across our great nation. We have come to the point of actually asking the question- Is a disabled life worth sustaining when it becomes an inconvenience?

As Americans living in the greatest country in the world, the right to live a free life has been our rallying cry. Is it now “give me your tired, your poor, your huddle masses yearning to be free, but don’t give me your disabled or anyone who might inconvenience my day?” Is that what we’re becoming here in America?

A good question indeed.

For more information about Terri Schivao’s case go to: http://www.terrisfight.org

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Mignon Murrell is Christian freelance writer whose work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and online. She recently finished her first book, Stirring The Waters- Devotions for Inner Healing She is also a prolific speaker and singer.You can find out more about Mignon by viewing her website at: http://www.mignonmurrell.com
© 2008 Mignon Murrell

This column is used with permission.