Thoughts on Terri Schiavo

On Oct. 15, 2003, Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed. She was only expected to live seven to ten days. She became weaker and weaker. Then on Oct. 22, 2003, the feeding tube was reinserted after Governor Jeb Bush intervened.

Had the tube not been removed, would Terri have died? Of course not. The only reason she lost strength was because her basic nourishment and hydration was taken away from her. Therefore, her condition isn't killing her. The removal of food and fluid, which have no relationship to her condition, was what would have killed her then and which threatens her on March 18.

Is receiving food and fluid through a tube artificial? Define artificial. Does artificial mean one can't lift the spoon to their own lips? Does one buy Gerber's Baby Food so they can artificially nourish their baby? Was Christopher Reeves artificially nourished because he could not feed himself? This used to be called helping those who can't help themselves.

And what exactly is the difference between Christopher Reeve and Terri Schiavo? My understanding is that after Reeves' accident, he wanted to die but his wife was there to love him, to encourage him, to fight for him, and to let him know that his life, even with crippled body, was still worthy of life.

Or could it be that society is more comfortable with Reeve's level of consciousness than with Terri's?

For more information on the fight to save Terri Schiavo's life see www.terrisfight.org. Watch the videos. Then come back and answer the above questions.