- Bravo, Debbie! Your forensic expertise is showing. I
dare the St. Pete Timid to print this -- but I bet they won't, as usual.
Never mind, we, thousands of us nationwide and around the world, know the
truth from the close sources. -- Dee
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-
- From Deborah Chriestenson
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- To Mary Jo Melone
St. Petersberg Times Staff Writer
12-4-3
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- Ms. Melone,
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- I read your article "A wise voice pierces bitter
chaos of the Schiavo case" with bitter-sweet interest.
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- I am a nurse from the State of Ks. and have followed
Terri Schindler-Schiavo's case with interest. I have also become actively
involved in trying to save her life.
-
- The media continues to take George Felos comments as
fact. If the media would just do their homework and look into the facts,
then they would see the "real" Michael Schiavo and the "real"
Terri Schindler-Schiavo.
-
- There are several factors that the media either don't
mention or just plain don't seem to understand.
-
- 1) Even with swallowing tests, Terri has had no form
of therapy for over 10 years. This in itself will hinder any type of testing
done. She needs therapy first and then try the swallowing tests.
-
- 2) Wolfson says there is no evidence that Michael Schiavo
had "either beaten her and caused her condition". Then how do
you explain the numerous fractures that Terri's bone scan revealed? Even
the top notch forensic pathologist Dr. Baden stated publicly that there
was evidence of some kind of trauma. Wolfson also stated that "Schiavo
had knocked himself out caring for his wife." Oh really. Then why
has he refused even the simplest of care for Terri. No therapy, no brushing
of her teeth for years, won't fix her broken wheelchair, won't allow her
to go outside, just to name a few. I don't think he knocked himself out,
but I do believe he beat the hell out of Terri. Michael Schiavo is definitely
wanting Terri dead to cover up his crime.
-
- 3) Why was Terri found lying "face down" on
the floor and holding her neck? How many people do you know when they
pass out, do so in this position?
-
- 4) Michael states that Terri suffered from a low potassium
level as a result of bulimia. He states he was not aware that she had
bulimia. Had Terri truly had a low potassium level of this degree, there
would have been significant symptoms. Such as, weakness, fatigue, listlessness
mental confusion, vertigo and cardiac dysrhythmias. Furthermore, potassium
is lost from the body in the urine and, to a lesser degree, in gastrointestinal
secretions.
-
- 5) Michael stated on Larry King Live that she suffered
from "cardiac arrest" and that is what caused her "loss
of oxygen" to the brain. But, Terri's symptoms and ultimate condition
can also be caused after "near drowning" "suffocation"
or a "crushing blow to the chest". I believe that Terri suffered
anoxia (loss of oxygen) after her brutal beating by Michael. In this case,
this would account for Terri's fractures and possibly her EKG showing heart
problems.
-
- He also stated "that Terri couldn't swallow, that
they had to stick a tube down her nose and suction her"...well that
is BS. Because the very part of the brain that controls heartbeat and breathing
(brainstem) also controls swallowing, blinking and digesting.
-
- Also an extensive study was done at RNH between 1992
and 1995 in regards to 40 patients who had a referring diagnosis of "persistent
vegetative state". Of these patients, 43% had been misdiagnosed.
The British Medical Journal 13, 13-16.22 suggested that the method of
diagnosing PVS needed examination, concluding that accurate diagnosis of
PVS requires assessment over a long period of time, and cannot be made
from a bedside assessment, even by an experienced clinician. It was held
that accurate diagnosis is possible with the combined skills of a multi-disciplinary
team experienced in the management of people with complex disabilities.
Terri has never had this done.
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- 6) Why is the testimony of only Michael's Doctors taken
into consideration? There are dozens of Doctors who have come forward and
submitted affidavit's that Terri can be helped with extensive therapy.
There are also affidavits from Terri's former caregiver's that Michael
did not know what Terri wanted in regards to life support. They also stated
in their affidavits that Michael was verbally abusive not only to the staff
who cared for Terri, but also to Terri.
-
- 7) Why is Michael so intent on killing Terri instead
of moving on with his life with his fiancée and his children? Yes,
that is a fact that isn't brought up too much. Simple, if Terri dies,
he gets it all, his crime covered up, his fiancée and possibly his
next victim and his children.
-
- 8) Why is Terri's patient rights overlooked and ignored?
Terri deserves individual dignity. According to Florida law, "The
individual dignity of a patient must be respected at all times and upon
all occasions." How can her individual dignity be respected when
she is only allowed what Michael decides. The nurses at the nursing homes
and hospices that Terri have been at have come forward and told so many
of the inherently evil things that Michael Schiavo has done. Why is there
not someone there to protect Terri other than her immediate family, who's
hands have been tied by the courts?
-
- Florida law also states: "The health care facility
shall also respond in a reasonable manner to the patient's request for
other services customarily rendered by the health care facility to the
extent such services DO NOT require the approval of the patient's health
care provider or are not inconsistent with the patient's treatment. Why
is Terri being refused basic range of motion exercises. These do not need
the Drs. or Michael's approval. It is just plain good nursing care. Why?
I'll tell you. Because Michael Schiavo verbally threatens the staff and
intimidates them.
-
- 9) Michael has also removed items that Terri's family
has brought in for her. But, yet again, Florida law states: "A patient
in a health care facility has the right to retain and use personal clothing
or possessions as space permits, unless for him or her to do so would infringe
upon the right of another patient or is medically or programmatically contraindicated
for documented medical, safety, or programmatic reasons." There is
no reason in the world that he should not allow the Shindler's to bring
in items for Terri except out of spite.
-
- 10) Michael has violated Terri's rights every step of
the way. I will again quote Florida law when I say: "A patient has
the right to express grievances to a health care provider, a health care
facility, or the appropriate state licensing agency regarding alleged violations
of patients' rights." If Michael is the one violating her rights,
do you think he is going to report himself. I think not.
-
- The Schindler's have a right to do this. They are only
trying to protect their daughter from not only a husband, but a system
who is turning their back on a disabled woman.
-
- To make my point and not drag this on, I must provide
you with just a couple more of Florida laws that are being violated when
it comes to Terri Schiavo.
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- A) A patient has the right to impartial access to medical
treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion,
handicap, or source of payment.
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- B) A patient has the right to treatment for any emergency
medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment.
(Michael has even requested Terri not receive antibiotics when she had
an infection).
-
- A patient has the right to know if medical treatment
is for purposes of experimental research and to give his or her consent
or refusal to participate in such experimental research.
-
- A patient has the right to express grievances regarding
any violation of his or her rights, as stated in Florida law, through the
grievance procedure of the health care provider or health care facility
which served him or her and to the appropriate state licensing agency.
If Terri cannot speak for herself (yet), and since Michael is the one
violating her right, Terri's family have every right to speak on her behalf.
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- A patient is responsible for providing to the health
care provider, to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete
information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations,
medications, and other matters relating to his or her health. (Hmm, wonder
if Michael told the hospice about Terri's numerous fractures on the night
she allegedly "passed out" from hypokalemia).
-
- What the press is doing, is making Terri and invisible
person who does not have rights. They show brief pictures but are telling
a one sided story.
-
- Terri is not an inanimate object like a piece of furniture.
She is a living, breathing (on her own) human being who deserves an investigation
into what happened to her on that night so long ago in Feb 1990.
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-
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- To read the article in question:
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- http://www.sptimes.com/2003/12/04/Columns/A_wise_voice_pierces_.shtml
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