I'm dedicating this link to Terri's loved ones...
Although nothing they do from now on will bring back their beloved daughter and sister, Terri's parents and siblings are still dedicated to making sure that what happened to Terri won't happen to others. The following will update you on some of what has been taking place...
== MORE TERRI ===================
Terri's death leads family to help disabled
St. Petersburg (LifeNews.com) -- During the final months of the legal battle they fought with Terri Schiavo's former husband to save her life, the Schindler family kept saying the ordeal was bringing them closer than ever before.
Now that a year has passed and their foundation has converted from an effort to prevent Terri's euthanasia death to one protecting the disabled, they're working together on a daily basis, they told the St. Petersburg Times.
The Schindler family -- parents Bob and Mary Schindler, brother Bobby and sister Suzanne Viatadamo -- now all work for the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation.
Bobby gave up his job as a high school teacher and Suzanne quit her position as a stockbroker.
The goal is to fight a "euthanasia movement" where some favor killing disabled patients rather than providing care.
Working out of a small three-room office in St. Petersburg, the foundation relies on donations and will get a financial shot in the arm with proceeds from the Schindlers' new book "A Life That Matters."
The foundation mission is (1) to educate people about guardianship laws and statutes on starvation and dehydration, and (2) to establish a network of professionals and organizations to help disabled people and their families.
Eventually the family hopes to establish a network of centers to provide care for brain injury victims and support for their families.
The Schindlers have also started a separate organizations to change laws to protect patients from being denied lifesaving medical treatment. So far, only Louisiana has adopted a new law, which prevents a spouse living with another person from denying such treatment.
Full story at http://www.lifenews.com/bio1420.html
Also, American Life League's Celebrate Life magazine has a great interview with the family, looking forward positively. It's at http://clmagazine.org/backissues/2006marchapril_14-17schindler.pdf
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States not passing laws to protect patients
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- After Terri Schiavo's death, pro-life state lawmakers across the country talked about passing laws to protect other disabled patients like her. Yet, little progress has been made.
Laws reshaping end-of-life policy were floated in two dozen states but only Louisiana passed any kind of law.
Pro-life groups say the legislative efforts are only in their initial stages and that lawmakers will continue to look at pro-life bills as the issue gains more attention.
"I think this is just the beginning," Denise Burke, vice president and legal director of Americans United for Life, told the St. Petersburg Times. "This can be [Terri's] legacy, that these issues will be debated."
Supporters of euthanasia are encouraged that the pro-life bills have made little progress. They're putting together legislation of their own to advance assisted suicide in more states than just Oregon.
"I don't think any of them are likely to pass, but I think there's been a real push by the right-to-life interest groups to roll back the clock," said Kathryn Tucker of the pro-euthanasia group Compassion and Choices.
The National Right to Life Committee says all but 10 states may allow doctors and hospitals to disregard advance directives when the directives call for treatment, food, or fluids. That means more deaths like Terri Schaivo's down the road.
Americans United for Life - http://www.aul.org
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All D.C. politicians to get Schindlers' book
National Pro-Life Action Center (http://www.nplac.org ) has purchased 600 copies of the Schindler family book “A Life That Matters,” which will be delivered to every member of the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House and key members of the Bush Administration, including the president and the vice president.
“It is our sincere hope by putting this book into the hands of lawmakers that it will inspire them to take the appropriate actions to ensure that a tragedy, such as Terri Schiavo’s, will never happen again,” said Stephen G. Peroutka, NPLAC chairman.
Available NOW....
The book, Our Fight4Terri
Discounted for Fight4Terri supporters at:www.Fight4Terri.com
or, can be ordered directly from publisher at:
Trafford Publishing: Our Fight4Terri
Cheryl Ford, RN (www.Fight4Terri.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community
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