Florida's 'right to die' case monetarily motivated?
Brian Bradford
Issue date: 2/23/05 Section: Opinion
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By the time you read this, Terri Schiavo could be starving to death while her husband, Michael Schiavo, will be standing around waiting for her to die. This could be happening while her family and friends can do absolutely nothing to help her.
In 1990, Terri collapsed in her home due to unknown reasons. She suffered brain damage, and her husband sued for malpractice while she was in the hospital. He stated, "I believe in the vows I took with my wife- through sickness, in health, for richer or poorer. I married her because I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'm going to do that." The lawsuit awarded them $1.3 million. Approximately $750,000 was set aside for Terri's rehabilitation.
Since Michael uttered that heartwarming testimonial, he has entered into a relationship with another woman and has had two children with her. The money has also run out, and in 1992, Michael put a do-not resuscitate order on Terri. Should he get a divorce from Terri, he will not be able to acquire the $750,000 given to them for rehabilitation, which he has not allowed her to receive. The only way to acquire that money for himself is if Terri dies.
Terri Schiavo is not on life support, or any other type of high maintenance equipment. She merely needs a feeding tube to give her nutrients and hydration three times a day. Without access to this, Terri will slowly starve to death over ten to 15 days. Doctors are saying with the right rehabilitation, she will be able to talk again, however she has been denied proper care for the past 15 years due to her estranged husband.
Faced with the dilemma of needing his wife to die for his own financial gain and convenience, Michael has been petitioning to get the feeding tube removed permanently. Long after the lawsuit and the money ran out, Michael suddenly began claiming that Terri once told him if she was ever in the situation she finds herself in now, that she be allowed to die. I do not know what miracle caused him to remember that conversation years after she entered her current state, but it is a safe bet to say it has six digits in it.
In 1990, Terri collapsed in her home due to unknown reasons. She suffered brain damage, and her husband sued for malpractice while she was in the hospital. He stated, "I believe in the vows I took with my wife- through sickness, in health, for richer or poorer. I married her because I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'm going to do that." The lawsuit awarded them $1.3 million. Approximately $750,000 was set aside for Terri's rehabilitation.
Since Michael uttered that heartwarming testimonial, he has entered into a relationship with another woman and has had two children with her. The money has also run out, and in 1992, Michael put a do-not resuscitate order on Terri. Should he get a divorce from Terri, he will not be able to acquire the $750,000 given to them for rehabilitation, which he has not allowed her to receive. The only way to acquire that money for himself is if Terri dies.
Terri Schiavo is not on life support, or any other type of high maintenance equipment. She merely needs a feeding tube to give her nutrients and hydration three times a day. Without access to this, Terri will slowly starve to death over ten to 15 days. Doctors are saying with the right rehabilitation, she will be able to talk again, however she has been denied proper care for the past 15 years due to her estranged husband.
Faced with the dilemma of needing his wife to die for his own financial gain and convenience, Michael has been petitioning to get the feeding tube removed permanently. Long after the lawsuit and the money ran out, Michael suddenly began claiming that Terri once told him if she was ever in the situation she finds herself in now, that she be allowed to die. I do not know what miracle caused him to remember that conversation years after she entered her current state, but it is a safe bet to say it has six digits in it.
