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1990 Terri Schindler Schiavo collapsed at home in the early morning hours of February 25, 1990. She was 26 years old. No diagnosis was made as to the underlying cause of her collapse, but the medical records indicate a discharge diagnosis of hypoxic encephalopathy – brain injury caused by oxygenation starvation to the brain. In June of 1990, Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband, was appointed her plenary guardian by the courts. -------------------
1998
2000
Terri’s family
appealed the February 11, 2000 order and the Second District Court of
Appeals affirmed Greer’s ruling. The matter was appealed to the Florida
Supreme Court, who declined to hear the case, and to the Supreme Court
of the United States, who also declined to hear the case. 2001
On April 21,
2001, Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed. Brain-Damaged Woman Faces Threat of Court-Ordered Starvation -- May, 2001 Commentary: Case Points Up Urgency of Will to Live -- May 15, 2001 In October Terri’s family filed a Motion for Relief from Judgment before Judge George W. Greer and provided new evidence that Terri’s neurological condition was better than previously speculated and offered numerous affidavits from medical professionals in support of their claim. Judge Greer denied their motion without a hearing and without review of the supporting affidavits. Upon appeal, the case was remanded back to Judge Greer for a medical evidentiary hearing. ------------------- 2002
In October of
2002, Greer’s court held the medical evidentiary trial wherein a noted
right-to-die advocate and a business partner to Michael Schiavo’s
attorney, George Felos were permitted to testify. Videotapes of Terri
were admitted into evidence and, though Florida’s statutes state that
persistent vegetative state is the total absence of awareness and
ability to communicate, Judge Greer – instead – based his ruling on the
consistency of Terri’s reactions. He found her to be in a persistent
vegetative state and reaffirmed his earlier ruling that she would want
to die. The Second District Court of Appeals affirmed Greer’s ruling and
mandated that he set a date for the removal of Terri’s feeding tube. 2003 Judge Greer ordered that Terri’s external nourishment be removed on October 15, 2003. At that time, hundreds of people had gathered outside the Hospice where Terri resided. At least 180,000 signed a petition to Governor Jeb Bush of Florida to invoke Florida’s Adult Protective Custody statutes based on allegations of neglect and thousands more maintained a grassroots network of communication throughout the United States and abroad.
"Florida Appeals Court
Upholds Order to Remove Schindler-Schiavo Feeding Tube
– June
2003" October 15, 2003 On October 20 a special session of the Florida Legislature was called and the House and Senate both considered and passed a bill into law, known as “Terri’s Law.” This new law afforded Governor Bush the authority to order to reinstatement of Terri’s nutrition and hydration and the appointment of an independent Guardian ad Litem. Spurred by Schindler-Schiavo case, model state law to prevent starvation and dehydration proposed -- October 22, 2003 ------------------- 2004 Attorney Felos immediately filed suit, and Michael Schiavo’s behalf, challenging the constitutionality of the new law. On May 5, 2004 Judge Baird of the 6th Circuit court ruled that ‘Terri’s Law’ was unconstitutional. On September 23, 2004 the Florida Supreme Court affirmed Judge Baird's ruling that 'Terri's Law' is unconstitutional. The US Supreme Court refused review of the appeal. National Right to Life (NRLC) Responds to Florida Supreme Court Ruling on “Terri’s Law” – September 23, 2004 National Survey Shows That More Americans Support Terri Schindler-Schiavo’s Right To Life – August 18, 2004 -------------------- 2005 In January of 2005, the Supreme Court of the United States refuses to hear Terri’s case.
Supreme Court Rejects
Governor Bush's Appeal to Save Terri Schindler-Schiavo from a Death of
Starvation and Dehydration
-- January 24, 2005 On March 18 Terri Schiavo’s gastric feeding tube is removed at approximately 1.40pm ET.
Statement on
Clear Legal Error Statement by President George W. Bush Early on Monday, March 21, by a vote of 203-58, the House approved the bipartisan compromise Federal Terri's Bill, after Senate had approved it by unanimous consent. The President immediately signed it. The couple filed a request for an emergency injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Middle Distinct in Tampa, Florida that same day. Text of Compromise Federal Terri's Law U.S. House of Representatives roll call vote on passage of the final compromise "Terri's Law" –- March 21, 2005
Text
of House-passed bill
Terri Schindler-Schiavo
Whitmore’s
Second Decision
On March 24,
2005, the Supreme Court of the United States again declined review of
the case and declines to grant certiorari. Judge Greer issues an
injunction denying the Florida State government's right to have the
Florida Department of Children & Families take over Schiavo's care. National Right to Life "Deeply Saddened" by the Death of Terri Schiavo -- March 31, 2005 -------------------- 2007 NRLC honors Schindler Family at Proudly Prolife Dinner in Washington
As Schindler Family is Honored, Country is Reminded of
Danger of Withdrawal of Medical Treatment ------------------------- 2008 Obama debate comments on Schiavo send dangerous message to disabled community –- February 27, 2008
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