Terri Schiavo

Terri Schiavo was a woman from the United States whose medical and legal case attracted national and international attention. Her case involved complex ethical, legal, and medical issues, most notably the rights of guardianship, the wishes of the incapacitated, and the definitions of life support and persistent vegetative state.

Background

Terri Schiavo was born Theresa Marie Schindler on December 3, 1963, in Pennsylvania. She married Michael Schiavo in 1984. On February 25, 1990, Terri suffered a cardiac arrest caused by a potassium imbalance, leading to severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen. After two and a half months in a coma, she was diagnosed with a persistent vegetative state (PVS), a condition in which a person loses cognitive functions and only retains basic physiological functions such as breathing and circulation.

Medical Condition and Treatment

Terri Schiavo's condition, persistent vegetative state, was the subject of much debate. While she could breathe on her own, she was dependent on a feeding tube for hydration and nutrition. Over the years, her husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo, and her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, disagreed vehemently over her care and her wishes regarding life support.

Legal Battles

The legal battle over Terri Schiavo's fate began in 1998 when Michael Schiavo petitioned the Florida courts to remove her feeding tube, asserting that Terri would not have wanted to live in a vegetative state. Her parents contested this, arguing that Terri was conscious and could improve with therapy. The case involved numerous appeals, motions, and hearings in the Florida courts, federal courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court, none of which agreed to overturn the Florida courts' decisions.

Public and Political Involvement

The Terri Schiavo case became a focal point for national debate on right-to-die issues. It attracted the attention of disability rights activists, right-to-life groups, and those supporting the right to die. The United States Congress and President George W. Bush became involved in March 2005, when Congress passed and Bush signed legislation allowing the federal courts to review her case. However, the federal courts declined to order the reinsertion of her feeding tube.

Death

Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed on March 18, 2005, and she died on March 31, 2005, from dehydration. Her death marked the end of a 15-year battle over her care and the right to make decisions for incapacitated loved ones.

Legacy

The Terri Schiavo case had a lasting impact on the debate over end-of-life care, guardianship, and the rights of individuals with severe brain injuries. It led to increased public awareness and discussion about living wills and advance directives, emphasizing the importance of documenting one's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event of incapacitation.