Talk Back!
Knitting Comment: It may not look like much, but I think the cardigan is coming along beautifully, I LOVED the front, can't wait to see the finished product.
Not-Knitting Comment: I absolutely agree. I find your political comments on your blog almost as interesting as the knitting.
I agree. Her family just did not want ot accept that she was never going to return. Facing death is something that many people just can't face. I just downloaded the DNR forms and other forms for several of the older members of the Lion's Club my parents belong to. The gentlemen told me that they want to make sure that their wishes are known.
I am a registered nurse in Maryland and I find it appauling that this woman was starved to death, whether in a vegetative state or not. A 15 year old girl was just found starved to death in a house in Baltimore and her care taker was sent to jail for this wrong doing. Terri should have been removed from the ventilator many, many years ago, which would have been much better for her and the family, if she was truely in a vegetative state. I don't know all the details of this case, and probably should not speak to it, but starvation is starvation. We even feed stray animals. My heart goes out to her mother and father as it is certainly unnatural to bury your child. I can't help but feel that the husband has something to gain by her death, he certainly could have divorced her and moved on legally with his new family. As to the DNR forms...I don't know about all states but in Maryland you can take the time to fill in the paperwork, have it notarized and give it to your family and physician, but when it really counts (at the time of death) the family or next of kin, can change everything and have you kept alive. Ethics is a very broad subject and we all have our opinions, for all they matter.
Thanks, enjoyed the knitting pics and talks.
Cathi Lane
You are so right. It is sad that she is starving to death, but it also so none of our business or the government's business. I can't believe how far Congress and Bush have stepped into this case.
And although I know nothing about her husband, I feel like if someone I loved made their wishes known to me in this situation, I would fight for them, even if it is harder than just walking away.
This whole thing has gotten me thinking about what I would want to happen to me too. Thanks for provoking thought! 
P.S. Your sweater is going to be fabulous!!!
Amen sista! I wouldn't want to be in that position, and although I agree with Cathi Lane to some extent, it really is NONE of our Business. It's also not Congress or President Bush's business. It wasn't his brother's business. It's a matter to be settled by the courts and by the families. Clearly, the courts have settled it. It is a difficult situation, agreed, but there was a Federal Court judge who said it best, I think. He said that he was ashamed of President Bush and Congress for getting involved.
There was a debate on CNN of different sides and one woman said "What better thing can Congress do than same the life of an American Citizen (referring to Terri)" and the other debator said "They could be discussing Social Security to benefit the lives of Millions of citizens, or they could be addressing the war in Iraq to save the lives of American soldiers and Iraqi citizens". I thought it was well put.
M
that should be "save the life" not "same the life"
M
It is sad that we can't deal with a heartbreaking situation like this in a more compassionate way. Although she was medicated and not likely in pain, this was a long and difficult way to pass.
My family has spent time together talking and sharing our wishes and preferences -- we'll also draft living wills. I guess in addition to polarizing people who see her as an icon for their views, she may prevent tragic miscommunication from happening to others. Not a bad legacy.
The knitting looks great, as always. I'm looking forward to seeing how the sweater evolves.
My take on the whole thing is this - if the family was so religious, why did they want her to stay in this world and not go to her Lord? Was motivation simply selfish because they did not want the guilt of having to kill her by allowing her to starve to death?
I love how the conservatives never aknowledge/tell you how she ended up in her comatose state -- Bulemia. Yep, the poster child of the pro-life had some binge-and-purge issues. Now, clearly I have a sick and twisted sense of humor but come on, that adds a lovely twist of comical irony to the whole feeding tube issue that everyone can appreciate? Right? Hello? Anybody? [tumbleweed passes by] Is this thing on?
And don't worry Marnie, if you ever slip into a vegetative state your little brother will be there to unplug you and call dibs on all your cool stuff.
Marnie, I couldn't agree with you more! this is none of our business. the fact of the matter is that Terri Shaivo did not want to be kept alive like this. End of story. Those wishes should be respected, and, thank goodness, they finally have. The really issue is that Congress got involved in a private family matter. That's frightening. Especially when there are more important, and more devastating matters to be dealt with right now. Not to metion the fact that they just threw away the whole aspect of checks and balances that we have set up in our government. The judiciall system is there for a reason. Anyway, I just wanted to say Amen to your comments.
Am really enjoying your process on your cardigan! It's gorgeous so far.
I tend to be very conservitive and I TOTALLY agree with you!!
I agree with you with the exception of one thing. The federal courts have absolutely no place in this. The state went through due process and made a ruling. There was no standing for an appeal to federal courts, hence why it keeps being thrown out. For politicians to get involved is direct violation of the constitution because it is an attempt to take away the right of the state to legislate.
The whole thing is so crazy. Of course by now she has died. I think the amazing thing was the photo they had of her before the accident. She looked so different. I can't think she wanted to keep living how she was. But as you said, it doesn't matter what any of us think, and at this point she is released from all of this craziness.
If nothing comes from all of this, everyone should at least learn the importance of making your wishes known to all of yor family, putting it all down in writing, and designating a healthcare surrogate. Do it now while you are healthy.
As much as I may believe that she would not want to be kept alive in the state she was in, I can't help but feel her husband is just being cruel and spiteful to her family, now. And for sure, I think Terry would not have wanted that, either.
W.
Thank you for your comment. I have told my husband never to let me rot in a hospital with tubes in my veins for any reason. . . I think it is so sad that Ms. Shiavo had to spend the last 15 years in a state she would never have wanted. It's even sadder that she has been paraded around as a "spokesperson" for the moral leftist of society. Why is it that when the issue is should this woman exist in her current state or be put to rest, the lefties say, how can we starve her to death? The views are skewed. . . just let me go in peace, and I agree with you Marnie: Don't put me on TV, Unplug me, Don't give me communion, Don't cry at my funeral (Party!) and Donate my body to science (or gift any usable parts to those in need).
The courts and the Popes were actually invited into this family mess, but despite that, and my own conservative leanings, I can't help but think that unhooking her was a kindness.
Who would want to "live" like that? Not me. I've told all family members and friends - if I won't let you take a picture of me fat, you can be sure I don't want a video clip on all the news stations when I'm in a vegetative state. Pull. The. Plug.
Your cardi looks lovely. At least you haven't unraveled it three times like I have on the one I'm working on.
Wow Marnie -- I'm late to the party but want to add my two cents as well...
It's a shame that the family + husband couldn't be there to support each other. The decision he made was a terribly hard one and he could have used all the support he could get. The family too...
I really didn't give this whole media fiasco much of a thought until someone [JEB BUSH] tried to claw his way into it. Thank god the Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Could you imagine? If she became a custodian of the state [did I say that backwards] the state would make the decision based on RELIGION!
This case was a dream for the media, and a soapbox for the "moral" politicians. Did they care? Hell, no. They were collecting more conservative, religious voters.
Next of kin should stay next of kin. -- you can't choose your parents, you CAN choose your spouse.
< end rant >
Can't wait to see the cardi!!
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