The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Case

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The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Case

Presentation of the Case

Terri Schindler-Schiavo spent 13 years in a coma, attached to feeding tubes and unable to communicate. On February 25, 1990, Terri Schiavo collapsed in her home. While the actual circumstances that led to her collapse are speculative, doctors believe a potassium imbalance caused her heart to stop, temporarily cutting off oxygen to her brain (Associated Press April 30, 2001). Terri fell into a coma and was hospitalized and ultimately placed on a feeding tube to provide hydration and nutrition. According to the doctors attending to Terri in 2001, death would occur within one to two weeks of removal of the equipment that is providing food and hydration to her (St. Petersburg Times, 7 March 2001, sec. 3B).

After a prolonged hospitalization, Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband, filed a petition to have the feeding tube removed in May of 1998. Bob and Mary Schindler, Terri’s parents, then filed suit to have Michael Schiavo removed as Terri’s guardian ad litem, and to prevent the feeding tube from being removed. Significant legal battles ensued that raised issues concerning whether Terri would ever recover, who has the right to speak on her behalf, whether treatment can be suspended, and what constitutes treatment. A lower court judge ordered on February 11, 2000 that the feeding tube may be removed. Both the Florida Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court refuse to intervene, allowing the lower court ruling to stand. However, On April 26, 2001, Circuit Judge Frank Quesada orders doctors to reinsert Terri’s feeding tube after her parents filed motions alleging that false testimony was offered at the lower court hearing. During a hearing beginning October 17, 2001...

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O’Day, G.R. The Gospel of John, Vol. IX: The New Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes, 1995, Nashville: Abingdon Press.

Quill, T.E., Death and Dignity: Making Choices and Taking Charge 1993. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.

Seper, F. Card. 1999, Sacred congregation for the doctrine of the faith. Bioethics: An Anthology, eds. H. Keuse, P. Singer 21: 203-206, Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

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