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Rebuttal To St. Petersburg
Times Article

From Dee Rohe
drrohe@bellsouth.net
12-4-3


Bravo, Debbie! Your forensic expertise is showing. I dare the St. Pete Timid to print this -- but I bet they won't, as usual. Never mind, we, thousands of us nationwide and around the world, know the truth from the close sources. -- Dee
 
 
From Deborah Chriestenson
 
To Mary Jo Melone
St. Petersberg Times Staff Writer
12-4-3
 
Ms. Melone,
 
I read your article "A wise voice pierces bitter chaos of the Schiavo case" with bitter-sweet interest.
 
I am a nurse from the State of Ks. and have followed Terri Schindler-Schiavo's case with interest. I have also become actively involved in trying to save her life.
 
The media continues to take George Felos comments as fact. If the media would just do their homework and look into the facts, then they would see the "real" Michael Schiavo and the "real" Terri Schindler-Schiavo.
 
There are several factors that the media either don't mention or just plain don't seem to understand.
 
1) Even with swallowing tests, Terri has had no form of therapy for over 10 years. This in itself will hinder any type of testing done. She needs therapy first and then try the swallowing tests.
 
2) Wolfson says there is no evidence that Michael Schiavo had "either beaten her and caused her condition". Then how do you explain the numerous fractures that Terri's bone scan revealed? Even the top notch forensic pathologist Dr. Baden stated publicly that there was evidence of some kind of trauma. Wolfson also stated that "Schiavo had knocked himself out caring for his wife." Oh really. Then why has he refused even the simplest of care for Terri. No therapy, no brushing of her teeth for years, won't fix her broken wheelchair, won't allow her to go outside, just to name a few. I don't think he knocked himself out, but I do believe he beat the hell out of Terri. Michael Schiavo is definitely wanting Terri dead to cover up his crime.
 
3) Why was Terri found lying "face down" on the floor and holding her neck? How many people do you know when they pass out, do so in this position?
 
4) Michael states that Terri suffered from a low potassium level as a result of bulimia. He states he was not aware that she had bulimia. Had Terri truly had a low potassium level of this degree, there would have been significant symptoms. Such as, weakness, fatigue, listlessness mental confusion, vertigo and cardiac dysrhythmias. Furthermore, potassium is lost from the body in the urine and, to a lesser degree, in gastrointestinal secretions.
 
5) Michael stated on Larry King Live that she suffered from "cardiac arrest" and that is what caused her "loss of oxygen" to the brain. But, Terri's symptoms and ultimate condition can also be caused after "near drowning" "suffocation" or a "crushing blow to the chest". I believe that Terri suffered anoxia (loss of oxygen) after her brutal beating by Michael. In this case, this would account for Terri's fractures and possibly her EKG showing heart problems.
 
He also stated "that Terri couldn't swallow, that they had to stick a tube down her nose and suction her"...well that is BS. Because the very part of the brain that controls heartbeat and breathing (brainstem) also controls swallowing, blinking and digesting.
 
Also an extensive study was done at RNH between 1992 and 1995 in regards to 40 patients who had a referring diagnosis of "persistent vegetative state". Of these patients, 43% had been misdiagnosed. The British Medical Journal 13, 13-16.22 suggested that the method of diagnosing PVS needed examination, concluding that accurate diagnosis of PVS requires assessment over a long period of time, and cannot be made from a bedside assessment, even by an experienced clinician. It was held that accurate diagnosis is possible with the combined skills of a multi-disciplinary team experienced in the management of people with complex disabilities. Terri has never had this done.
 
6) Why is the testimony of only Michael's Doctors taken into consideration? There are dozens of Doctors who have come forward and submitted affidavit's that Terri can be helped with extensive therapy. There are also affidavits from Terri's former caregiver's that Michael did not know what Terri wanted in regards to life support. They also stated in their affidavits that Michael was verbally abusive not only to the staff who cared for Terri, but also to Terri.
 
7) Why is Michael so intent on killing Terri instead of moving on with his life with his fiancée and his children? Yes, that is a fact that isn't brought up too much. Simple, if Terri dies, he gets it all, his crime covered up, his fiancée and possibly his next victim and his children.
 
8) Why is Terri's patient rights overlooked and ignored? Terri deserves individual dignity. According to Florida law, "The individual dignity of a patient must be respected at all times and upon all occasions." How can her individual dignity be respected when she is only allowed what Michael decides. The nurses at the nursing homes and hospices that Terri have been at have come forward and told so many of the inherently evil things that Michael Schiavo has done. Why is there not someone there to protect Terri other than her immediate family, who's hands have been tied by the courts?
 
Florida law also states: "The health care facility shall also respond in a reasonable manner to the patient's request for other services customarily rendered by the health care facility to the extent such services DO NOT require the approval of the patient's health care provider or are not inconsistent with the patient's treatment. Why is Terri being refused basic range of motion exercises. These do not need the Drs. or Michael's approval. It is just plain good nursing care. Why? I'll tell you. Because Michael Schiavo verbally threatens the staff and intimidates them.
 
9) Michael has also removed items that Terri's family has brought in for her. But, yet again, Florida law states: "A patient in a health care facility has the right to retain and use personal clothing or possessions as space permits, unless for him or her to do so would infringe upon the right of another patient or is medically or programmatically contraindicated for documented medical, safety, or programmatic reasons." There is no reason in the world that he should not allow the Shindler's to bring in items for Terri except out of spite.
 
10) Michael has violated Terri's rights every step of the way. I will again quote Florida law when I say: "A patient has the right to express grievances to a health care provider, a health care facility, or the appropriate state licensing agency regarding alleged violations of patients' rights." If Michael is the one violating her rights, do you think he is going to report himself. I think not.
 
The Schindler's have a right to do this. They are only trying to protect their daughter from not only a husband, but a system who is turning their back on a disabled woman.
 
To make my point and not drag this on, I must provide you with just a couple more of Florida laws that are being violated when it comes to Terri Schiavo.
 
A) A patient has the right to impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, handicap, or source of payment.
 
B) A patient has the right to treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment. (Michael has even requested Terri not receive antibiotics when she had an infection).
 
A patient has the right to know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental research and to give his or her consent or refusal to participate in such experimental research.
 
A patient has the right to express grievances regarding any violation of his or her rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the health care provider or health care facility which served him or her and to the appropriate state licensing agency. If Terri cannot speak for herself (yet), and since Michael is the one violating her right, Terri's family have every right to speak on her behalf.
 
A patient is responsible for providing to the health care provider, to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his or her health. (Hmm, wonder if Michael told the hospice about Terri's numerous fractures on the night she allegedly "passed out" from hypokalemia).
 
What the press is doing, is making Terri and invisible person who does not have rights. They show brief pictures but are telling a one sided story.
 
Terri is not an inanimate object like a piece of furniture. She is a living, breathing (on her own) human being who deserves an investigation into what happened to her on that night so long ago in Feb 1990.
 
 
 
To read the article in question:
 
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/12/04/Columns/A_wise_voice_pierces_.shtml
 

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