My views differ as well since I wanted very much for Terri's will to be respected - although it could never be truly known. The husband has made it very easy to dislike and disbelieve him. God only knows.
Her death came as a relief and I do not believe she was "murdered". Feeding tubes are removed every day and death is not pleasant to watch - but it is something we all will face. My feeling is that medical breakthroughs have greatly prolonged life - but sometimes border on playing God. I am an RN and have spent time in nursing homes and see many sad souls who might not be lingering if their lives had simply progressed naturally.
This thread has been very thought provoking - and we all come to the issue with our own backgrounds and reasons - let me explain mine....
I recently lost my mom. My dad was so upset and unable to make rational decisons about her care. He refused to sign the DNR until many conversations that we had. She was 83, advanced Alzheimers, suffered two strokes and had a severe infection in her hip. She had been dying for many, many months but dad had them try everything possible to keep her with him. I traveled to Texas and sat with her alone as she died. Dad could not be there.
I myself have renal failure and my wish is NOT to be kept alive or to seek life-extending measures when that time comes and so have put my desires into my Living Will.
So, when I have been watching the coverage - I can easily see how this could be ME with hubby wanting to follow my wishes and parents who cannot let go. Of course there are few other similarities, but my point is that our personal circumstances affect the way we have passionately followed the Schiavo case. I seldom followed the case while thinking of myself as the mother but when I did, it was almost too painful to think about - and this may be the reason for the tremendous difference in viewpoints, whether from our personal life circumstance and experiences, or from the eyes we view it. Am I making sense??
I don't think there is any evil or hatefulness on either side - but it has made all of us think about matters of death...
Plus, this case has political undertones and agendas that are disturbing. What exactly - will become more clear in the future.
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