Mel Gibson Supports Terri Schiavo’s Right To Life

By Linda Orlando

Christian activist groups held a somber vigil Monday morning in Tallahassee, Florida, on behalf of Terri Schiavo. The 41-year old woman has been at the center of a bitter battle over the issue of whether or not an incapacitated, brain-damaged person should be kept alive artificially or allowed to die. Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband, has fought her parents in numerous courts before countless judges. Florida governor Jeb Bush has even played a part in the ongoing war over Terri’s future in 2003 when he issued an executive order, called "Terri’s law," demanding that her feeding tube be reinserted after it had been removed for several days. Another official involved in the numerous judgments and motions is Judge George W. Greer, who has now ordered that her nutrition and hydration be removed permanently on March 18, 2005. During Monday’s vigil, support groups placed fresh roses in a courtyard at the state capitol, promising to deliver them to state lawmakers on Tuesday with a note saying, "Do not give water, do not feed." A spokesman for the Christian Defense Coalition says that their point is to demonstrate with the flowers what will happen to a living entity if food and water are removed.

Fifteen years ago, Terri collapsed in her home and was found by her husband. She was rushed to the hospital, where blood tests revealed a critically low potassium level in her blood, and as a result her brain had suffered irreparable injury from which she would never recover. A gastric feeding tube was inserted to keep her alive, since she was unable to swallow, and she has been kept alive by that feeding tube ever since. Her husband, Michael Schiavo, with the support of thousands of "right to die" advocates, has sought for years to have the feeding tube removed so his wife’s life will end naturally, claiming that she had told him she never wanted to be kept alive by artificial means. Terri’s parents counter that Michael’s claims are total fabrication, and they believe he should relinquish all claims to their daughter and turn her over to them to be cared for.

Terri has been examined by dozens of physicians and therapists representing both sides of the issue, and the opinions reached are polar opposites. Many of the doctors say that Terri is in a persistent vegetative state, but her parents insist that she still reacts to their presence and communicates with them. Michael Schiavo adamantly feels that Terri’s right to privacy is being violated by her parents insistence that the feeding tube remain, not allowing her to die with dignity. The Schindlers and their supporters say that there are credible physicians who say therapy would be beneficial to Terri and allow her situation to improve, but her husband, who is her legal guardian, has refused therapy for her. Michael, on the other hand, has detailed countless types of therapy Terri has received and various attempts he has made to improve her condition, including taking her to a specialist in California for a brain implant intended to increase brain activity. Still, her condition remains the same. CAT scans of Terri’s brain show the devastating amount of damage caused by lack of oxygen to her brain; her cerebellum is almost nonexistent and she has very little brain activity at all.

Two major events have taken place in this dramatic and profoundly sad fight in the last few days. On March 10, attorney Gloria Allred held a news conference to announce that one of her clients, a wealthy businessman, has deposited $1 million into her law firm's trust account to offer to Michael Schiavo if he agrees to certain conditions to keep his comatose wife alive after the feeding tube is scheduled to be removed. Michael, through his attorney, has flatly refused the offer. On March 11, in a fax to the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation, actor and director Mel Gibson made his feelings on the Terri Schiavo situation known. His statement reads: "I fully support the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Schindler to save their daughter, Terri Schiavo, from a cruel starvation. Terri’s husband should sign the care of his wife over to her parents so she can be properly cared for."

Even though Judge Greer has ordered the removal of Terri’s feeding tube on Friday, the judge may not have the final say in her future. A Florida House committee is currently debating a bill that would prevent the withdrawal of food and water from incapacitated patients. If the bill is passed in time, the order by Judge Greer to remove Terri’s feeding tube will be stayed indefinitely. Clearly the issue of Terri’s fate is an emotional one, with logical and passionate arguments being delivered by both sides. But the only person who would have an absolutely incontrovertible opinion is Terri herself, and unfortunately her opinion will forever be locked away inside her mind.