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Mar. 28, 2005 I´ve been following the case about Terri Schiavo for a week now. Also in The Netherlands, there´s much discussion about it. What I miss in the American news, is that there seems to be no interest in the medical part of this difficult situation. Therefore, here´s a short summary about the medical implications as I understood it and why I believe death is the best option for Terri. Recovery from a coma is possible when the coma itself doesn´t last too long. A coma can be compared with a deep unconsciousness. Usually, after two weeks the maximum, the situation of being in coma changes into a situation of being in ´nowhere land´. Vital brain activities like breathing and reflexes have recovered. The person who was in coma opens his/her eyes. However, he/she isn´t aware of what is said or done to him/her. This situation can take several months. When after six months no improvement in this second situation can be noticed, it´s almost certain it won´t come. I got this knowledge from a doctor who has explained it in several Dutch media. He has been involved in several cases similar to the Terri Schiavo one. Of course, it´s very difficult to admit your loved one/son or daughter won´t recover anymore, although you keep on hoping progression will come in the end. However, Terri´s parents should have been told the truth (and if so, have tried to accept it) many years ago: the chance that your daughter recovers is none. And even if she would have recovered after one or two years, she would have been disabled seriously. What then? I´m not saying disabled people are worth less than non- disabled. I´m disabled myself. I know of some people who are much more disabled than I am who live their life the best they can and somehow enjoy it. But, would Terri herself have been able to accept that state of disability? Would her parents have been able to cope with it? They say yes in advance, of course. I´m not that certain. Becoming disabled puts much pressure on the person involved and the relatives concerned. Sometimes it all works out one way or another. Sometimes it doesn´t. This is all theoretical guessing. Important now is Terri´s current situation which won´t become better ever. That´s why I say let her die worthy and give her rest. I agree with all the American judges and strongly disagree with American Republicans and President Bush. They had no right to interfere with this case. This is not about politics, this is about personal life and death. It´s a pity Terri´s parents and husband have such a disagreement. The judicial system is there to give a final judgement about who´s right, not the government. American courts have done so many times. I sincerely hope Terri´s suffering will come to an end soon. ------------ About the author Johan Peters: I'm a freelance journalist/editor from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. I write articles, columns and books. I'm also available for making simple translations from/into English, German, French and of course Dutch. More information about me can be found on: www.johanpeters.net (partly in English). Email Johan Peters: johan.peters@johanpeters.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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