Reply #15: Terri Schiavo is not disabled [View All]

[morcatknits]

She is neurologically devastated. I heard one person say that all she needed is "one of those motorized wheel chairs," and it made me want to vomit. This has nothing to do with disability, which presumes that some abilities remain.

In my work, I read a lot of medical records, and I'm appalled at the amount of money the public spends on people for whom there isn't the faintest glimmer of hope. I say, do everything for comfort and good basic care, but when it comes to the neurologically devastated, especially those who have been in that state long-term, don't do more. My daughter was recently involved in the care of an ancephalic infant, kept "alive" on the ventilator, with no brain function other than brainstem impulses. The care cost the public millions, when all knew that the result was inevitable. We ignore children who could have a bright future with some help, all the while giving endless "therapies" to those with no level of consciousness who will never do more than occasionally open their eyes, if that much. Wish we'd open ours!
morcatknits