Rest In Peace Terri Schiavo

We remember Terri, especially during Holy Week, because it was during Holy Week that Terri died ( actually through a biologically final act ). This biological act was the removal of her food and fluids, which were provided by feeding tube, court sanctioned by request of her husband.

 

Many people of all faiths prayed for Terri; many making a journey to Florida to pray outside of the Nursing Home during her ordeal. They stood as public witness to the sanctity of human life.

 

We know that Terri was profoundly disabled, but not dying. We also know, that she was a member of the human family. As a member of our human family, we owe Terri, ordinary, necessary and available care.  This care includes food, warmth, human contact and love.

 

The issue of providing nutrition and hydration to brain-injured patients has been debated before Terri's case, and continues to be debated after her death. Pope John Paul II clearly defined society's responsibility to those, who may not have the ability to feed themselves, "The administration of food and water, even when provided by artificial means always represents a natural means of preserving life, not a medical act and should be considered "morally obligatory", as long as it provides nourishment and alleviation of suffering." Patrick Derr, in a paper on the provision of nutrition and hydration in 1987 put it bluntly, "The denial of food and fluids is a biologically final act in a way and with a degree of certainty, that the denial of surgical and medical therapy is not. It is never possible to survive the denial of food and fluids. The denial of food and fluids is biologically final, and guarantees the death of the patient with a degree of certainty, that the denial of medical or surgical therapy never denies."  

 

Terri's care was entrusted to her husband, who ordered her feeding and hydration stopped. But, her care and her cause is entrusted to each of us, as a society, we must never forget Terri.