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Editor, The North Country Gazette:
March 31 marks the first anniversary of Terri Schindler Schiavo who died in a Florida hospice after 13 agonized days of starvation and dehydration when her estranged husband was successful in having her feeding tube removed by court order.
This is a great wakeup call for everyone illustrating what could happen in any family in today's culture of death and "medical ethics." Her family, parents Bob and Mary, brother Bobby and sister Suzanne in the devastation of their loss, are turning this frightening American tragedy into triumph. In their strength and conviction, they have committed their lives in full time efforts to help other brain disabled and their advocates throughout the world.
The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation Center for Health Care Ethics is working aggressively to establish a network of professionals and organizations dedicated to change public policy, advocate, protect and provide care for the disabled, and educate the public about the crucial issues. They also have a vision of instituting centers worldwide to provide care for brain injury victims and support for their families. They are involved in wills to live and are setting up a network of doctors and lawyers to protect the disabled who are frightened about their safety and welfare.
Their book, "A Life That Matters: The Legacy of Terri Schiavo", the story of Terri's family's struggle and fight to keep their daughter and sister alive, has just been released and has been presented to the Fairfield Public Library where I live along with other books about her case and the issues of today's disturbing "medical ethics".
Terri's family has faith in God. The terrible ordeal of her suffering and death has made their faith as devout Catholics stronger and has given inspiration to act on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. They are trying to live according to what Jesus said, to care for the vulnerable and weak and promote the Gospel of Life. The web site of the Foundation is www.terrisfight.org
Mrs. Mary LaFrancis RN retired
Iowa
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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