Those television clips of Mrs. Schindler tearfully begging “politicians” to “save my little girl,” Mrs. Theresa Schiavo, do not include ...   more »

[This is an open letter to TSA administrator David Stone, from the aviation security expert I know best, edited:]

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One of the partisan web sites on the Theresa Schiavo case is www.terrisfight.org, where one of the links is ...   more »

A stunningly solid 80 percent responded that Congress should not have intervened in the Florida case of a severely brain-damaged ...   more »

Ms. Terri Schiavo has been hospitalized for severe brain damage since 1990, in what the courts have described as a “persistent vegetative state.” As everyone who has followed the extensive coverage of this case knows, her situation has aroused a legal battle between her husband, Michael Schiavo, and her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler.

In summary, Mr. Schiavo has petitioned the courts to have the patient’s feeding tube removed, arguing that her state is vegetative and that Ms. Schiavo herself would not have wanted her life prolonged by artificial means. The Schindlers appear to be arguing that she is “responsive.” They are fighting removal of her feeding tube, aided by some anti-abortion groups.

In today’s grotesque progress of the legal battle, Congress is weighing in:  “Meanwhile, a Senate committee issued an invitation for Terri Schiavo and her husband to testify on Capitol Hill.

U.S. marshals are expected to serve the House Committee on Government Reform subpoenas on Woodside Hospice before noon Friday, attorney David Gibbs said. The subpoenas include doctors, hospital administrators and Schiavo, he said.”

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/18/schiavo.brain-damaged/index.html

What I want to know is, if the parents are convinced that Ms. Schiavo can survive and live a viable life, why don’t they take her in themselves, instead of forcing millions of dollars in medical and legal costs on the taxpayers, the hospital, and private charity? Her hospitalization is costing thousands of dollars per day, aside from the hospital bed that could be used for a patient in more hopeful condition.

Admittedly, what I am suggesting would not be cheap or easy. Round-the-clock home care for a helpless invalid is also a very expensive proposition. When I investigated the possibility of in-home care for my mother, I found that the costs would run about ten thousand a month, even though she is physically very fit. The costs for someone in Ms. Schiavo’s condition would be extremely high. But those costs would still be less than those of hospitalization. And her astronomical hospital costs, be it noted, are being borne at present by everyone EXCEPT the people fighting to keep her on a feeding tube and hooked up to hospital equipment.

If the Schindlers are not able to sustain the expense of home care by themselves – and obviously few citizens would be able to do so – couldn’t some of the sympathetic interest groups chip in? Their fundraising appears to be indefatigable when it comes to lobbying for legislation they want, or litigating, or mounting a demonstration. Couldn’t they provide a couple of million dollars to keep Ms. Schiavo in a home with her parents for the duration of her life? Where are those home-is-best types when we need them?

No sensible person would claim that it’s somehow better to live in a hospital than to live at home. Indeed, the Schindler’s connection with their daughter is so clear that it is puzzling that some of these agitated groups have not offered this sensible act of charity already. It would be the nearly ideal solution.

To those of you who want Ms. Schiavo kept alive: volunteer today. By all means, keep her alive. You can do it. You have already shown that you have the perseverance, the finances, and the wish to do so. You can help.