BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality New Age Consciousness and Terry Schiavo

What do you all think about the issue of whether Terry Schiavo is really conscious?

I can't really weigh in on as to whether or not it is right to let her go and if she is conscious because that's a family's decision.
As for me, if I were in her state I would be let go and I have a living will stating just that.
I do think that the supreme court case will result in more living wills being made to that end in the future and possibly already has.

If I were to only go by the videos I've seen of her on the news--as well as the testimony of a former nurse--she seems very much aware...not to mention having the ability to regain use of her digestive system, limbs, etc. if she were permitted to get therapy/rehababilitation.

Those in comas have reported being able to hear and understand what others have said while in the room with them.

The question becomes "What is consciousness?" A neat book that discusses this question in a down-to-earth matter is From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness. I believe all things have "life", but are they self-aware?

Interesting questions...

It must be a nightmare for her parents to let their little girl go. I personally would not want that for myself and have told my family so. I have not put it in writing but will do so before the end of this month.

Little story: My mom died in September of 03. I received a telephone call at my office from mom's doctor telling me she had suffered a severe stroke--within an hour she was comatose. My family members and I met the doctor at the hospital. While standing near my mom, I saw her eyes open and flutter. I anxiously called the nurses and the doctor to tell them that she had awakened, they all told us the same thing. That mom had not awakened, it was some kind of neurological thing going on that caused the eye fluttering. My brothers, sis-in-laws and I were all in agreement that we would not allow our mom to be hooked up to machines. She had no living will but had *always* told us "no blood transfusions", "no being kept alive by articial means". She died within a week. In my heart I know that it was the right thing to do. My mom had Alzheimer's--she was totally helpless and there had been no communication with her for almost 4 years. Everytime I went to see her I prayed with her and told her it was OK to let go. Finally, she did. I think she would be [is] proud that her children did the right thing and followed her orders to a "T".

In my opinion upon seeing those videos, she looks aware of what's going on. I'm keeping her in my prayers.

I have read in a few places that she was suffering from an eating disorder (bulimia) before the heart attack she had. I have said this in another forum, but I hope people in the media that shov the thin is in thing in everyone's faces are paying attention and seeing what an eating disorder can do not only to a peron but to an entire family...heck and entire nation.

I know I would not want to live the rest of my life like Mrs. Sviavo is. My fiance and I have agreed that we are going to do the Living Will thing so there is no question of what to do in a situation like this.

I struggle with this because the image they keep presenting in the video clip looks like she responds to interaction, and that's not "brain dead" - but I'm sure it was carefully selected.

At this point, I think her parents are abusing her.....and I don't like the idea that my wishes could be overriden by anyone. If her husband is truly acting according to her wishes, she should be allowed to let go.

'If her husband is truly acting according to her wishes, she should be allowed to let go.' Almost everyone agrees with this statement, the disagreement comes between those who trust her husband and those who believe her parents. For many people the question was settled with finality by the opinion of Judge Greer, upheld in later appeals, that Michael's version of events is the truth, post-gazette.com. This is an example of the fallacy of 'argumentum ad verecundium', inappropriate appeal to authority -- in this case to the authority of the courts, as if they were always right.

Terri's brother pleaded for cameras to be brought into her room, so that everyone could form an opinion of her condition. If she were in PVS she would not be harmed by this. Of course his request was denied. So we will never know, and though Catholic she will be cremated.

briareus

About the Catholic Church and cremation, I found text at this link about halfway down the page titled [color:"blue"] Cremation[/color] in bold blue letters:

http://frpat.com/cremation.htm

It is an excerpt from the Catholic Catechism -
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ccc.html

Thanks for the update on the church doctrine; so it is permitted now. The issue of cremation is one detail of the dispute between Michael and the Schindlers, always involving the question of who will make these decisions.

From the OpEd previously linked --



Absent such objective evidence, which is not allowed in this case, we're left with the interests and passions of the contending parties, and the political agendas of interest groups weighing in on one side or the other.

This just in from Yahoo News Alerts -- Schiavo Scandal Indicates Low State of Bioethics

briareus