Twelve Questions for Michael Schiavo

Twelve Questions for Michael Schiavo by Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express, International Disability Rights News Service (October 23, 2004).

1. Why has [Michael] refused several recommendations for Terri's continued therapies?

   In April of 1991, about a year after her collapse, therapists at Bradenton Mediplex Rehabilitation Center determined that Terri's condition was improving and recommended Michael have her transferred to Gainesville Rehabilitation Center to receive advanced therapy so she could continue her recovery.

   But by July, Michael had instead moved her to Sable Palms Nursing Home, with no such therapy.

   Later, he refused to allow therapies that her parents believed might have allowed her to swallow, so she would not have to rely on a feeding tube.



2. Why did he not mention his wife's wishes during one of two malpractice cases?

   In late 1992, one of Terri's doctors settled a malpractice suit out of court for $250,000. The following January, a Pinellas jury awarded about $1.4 to Terri and $600,000 to Michael in a suit filed because her gynecologist failed to ask about her medical history while treating her.

   Michael had asked the jury to grant $20 million to pay for Terri's future medical and neurological requirements, based on her life expectancy, which he and his attorneys estimated at 51 years. Michael also told the court he wanted to become a nurse so he could help his wife for as long as she lived.

   His attorney told the court about Terri: "She can't respond much but she can respond, and she does respond a little bit, not much. But enough to give him hope."

   The following month, February 1993, Terri's parents had a 'falling out' with their son-in-law, because, they claim, he refused the therapies that professionals had recommended.



3. If Michael expected Terri to live to at least age 51, why did he order her caregivers not to treat her for a potentially life-threatening infection in August of 1993, and another in late 1995?


4. Why did he invoke a "do not resuscitate" order just a few months after the jury award?


5. Why, in 1997, did he announce his engagement to another woman, while still married to Terri?


6. Why, also in 1997, did he hire George Felos, an attorney with a reputation for fighting "right to die" cases, to represent him?


7. Why did he petition the court, also in 1997, to have Terri's feeding tube removed so she would starve and dehydrate to death.


8. Why did several nursing home workers swear that Terri's demeanor changed after he was in the room with her?


9. Why did nursing home workers swear that he at times stormed into the facility asking when "that bitch" would die?


10. Why did he have Terri, who does not have a terminal illness, moved to a hospice in 2000, even though hospices are designed for people who are expected to die within six months? According to his earlier calculations, she still had at least 15 more years left to live.


11. Why won't he allow Terri's parents and siblings to take over her guardianship?


12. Why did Michael not allow Terri, a Catholic, the holy sacraments of Communion and last rites when her feeding tube was removed last October?