On Monday, the 34th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade Linda Shepherd told our audience about her infant daughter who was thrown unto the freeway following a violent car crash. Like in Terri Schiavo’s case, doctors told Linda her daughter was in a vegetative state and suggested she pull the plug. But she refused and today, 20-year-old Laura is living a joyful life, though disabled.
Linda also told about her disturbing encounter with Michael Schiavo at a press conference where he said he was Terri's family and the government had interfered with his family, his privacy and his wishes. When Linda said, "I'm the mother of a handicapped child. What about Terri's mother and father - weren't they her family too?" Schiavo answered in anger that Terri's parents had lost their rights to her when she married him.
Because of the Terri Schiavo case Linda said other disabled people with brain damage are now afraid for their lives. After all, Terri Schiavo was not dying until they quit feeding her. Terri Schiavo was issued an “Order of Execution” from Florida Judge George Greer which stopped the feeding of Terri by spoon, even disallowing ‘swallowing,’ which is a voluntary action.
False diagnosis of PVS happens up to 43% of the time. This is a frightening.
Related Links:
Linda & Laura Shepherd more pictures and information
Traumatic Brain Injury Resource List
Resources for Parents of Disabled Children
Disability Ministry
National Council for Support of Disability Needs
Hear the show (See 1/22/07)
4Comment
No comments:
Post a Comment