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Terri Schiavo is a disabled woman in Florida whose husband, Michael, is trying (legally) to have her put to death. A medical treatment plan titled "exit protocol" has been established for Terri which prescribes how she will be treated in her last days. In case you haven't guessed, "exit protocol" means the method by which she is to be put to death. This "exit protocol" is all about "symptom management." In other words, how to get Terri to die with as little hassle as possible. • For instance, the purpose of lip balm is because her lips will crack, peel, and bleed from the dehydration. • The purpose of body lotion is because Terri's skin will begin to break down and show signs of flaking, drying, cracking, or being parched. • A "scopolamine patch" behind her ear will enhance the drying up of saliva and other secretions. • "Chux pads" will need to be changed as necessary for incontinence of Terri's bowels and bladder. • When Terri begins to writhe in pain (multifocal myoclonus) and become agitated from metabolic changes and electrolyte imbalances due to no fluids or nutrition, the attending staff will have to give her 5 to 10 mg of Valium (diazepam) - rectally - every 4 hours. • If Terri experiences a Grand Mal seizure, they'll give her 15 mg of Valium immediately, and then as needed thereafter. • When her body shows signs of an inability to breathe by gasping for air (dyspnea), they will immediately give Terri 2 to 4 mg of morphine every 4 hours. • And all of this will go on for 10 to 14 days...Until Terri is DEAD! If this comes to pass, the court, the lawyers, the American Civil Liberties Union and Michael Schiavo will he responsible for Terri's death --- and also the deaths of others with cognitive disabilities who will be killed the same way as their families and lawyers use this case as a precedent. Every living person, able or not, should be afraid -- very afraid! We're all in danger from this immoral decision, which makes it easier for someone to decide who lives or dies, when, and under what conditions. Terri Schiavo lives -- day to day. She has survived a mysterious injury, 14 years of medical neglect and mistreatment, the actions of her husband, and the backhand of the courts. On that basis alone, she deserves to live. God help her. And help us too, if we allow her recipe for murder to take place. |