Sample Letter to Use for Terri Schiavo Case

One tip for getting your letter published. If your newspaper has covered the Schiavo case at all, you will want to link your letter to the particular article they printed. For example, you could open your letter with, "I am writing in response to the article (Article Title Here) that ran in the (date here) edition." Then continue with the letter as usual. You have a better chance of being published if you link to something published in your newspaper.

Also, if there is such an article, you may want to scan it for any other errors or myths that aren't covered in this sample letter and add the corrections. But do your best to keep your letter around 250 words (The current letter is at 288 words, so it doesn't leave much room for additions. Some papers, however, will still print more lengthy letters if the information is pertinent- and if they aren't against your position...bias does play a part unfortunately).

Here's the sample letter:

Dear Editor,

There are many myths circulating about Terri Schiavo, the brain damaged woman whose family is fighting to keep her from being starved to death. First, she is not in a “coma” or a “persistent vegetative state.” Terri speaks, laughs, smiles and shows awareness, all despite being denied rehabilitation by her husband, Michael.

Secondly, Michael has stated that Terri expressed her wish to die in these circumstances. However, there is no written documentation to this. She never told her family or friends of such a wish. And Michael’s former girlfriend, Cindy Shook testified that when asked what Terri’s wishes were, he stated, “How the h*** should I know we never spoke about this, my God I was only 25 years old. How the h*** should I know? We were young. We never spoke of this."

Lastly, the mysterious circumstances of Terri’s injuries are suspect, and a plea has been made to the Florida courts to investigate Michael Schiavo’s possible role in them. Doctors noted broken bones and injuries consistent with some sort of physical trauma.

Nurse Carla Sayer gave testimony that Michael would constantly make statements such as “ When is that (expletive) going to die?”

If Michael is guilty of causing Terri’s injuries, it would explain why he doesn’t want her to receive any rehabilitation and would wish for her death. Silent or dead, she can’t tell on him.

Terri deserves to be turned over to her parents for her care. Parents who love her, respect her dignity and her right to life. Parents who will see that she gets the rehabilitation she needs and the basic care that she deserves. Parents who would never even think of uttering, “When is that (expletive) going to die?”