This is an incredibly sensitive subject, but one with which I have some experience, so here's my take on things.
My dad was in a somewhat similar state after having a stroke subsequent to bypass surgery. He was able to communicate with us for a couple of months following his surgery but then deteriorated to a point where he just wasn't "there". His body was, but his spirit was gone.
I can certainly understand the Schindler's hope for recovery, but based on what I've read about Ms. Shaivo's condition, that's extremely unlikely. The pictures I've seen of her are all dated 2002, so I wonder how she's really doing. When I see her moving her head and blinking her eyes, it makes some sense to me to continue to treat her and hope for the best. But (again based on my experience with my dad) the likelihood that she's still in the same condition is slim. At the end of his life, Dad was a shadow of himself and totally uncommunicative. Every touch, no matter how soft, caused him to grimace. So we elected to discontinue his treatment and let his body die. It was wrenching, but necessary. He didn't want to live like that (and thankfully had made those wishes clear with a living will).
As a parent, watching one's child die has to be unbelieveably awful. But in essence they've been watching her die for 7 years now. Why prolong things?
The only good thing I think may come out of all of this is that folks will have discussions like this one and determine what they would want and not want and then document their wishes.
I wish the Schiavo and Schindler families peace. They're going through so much right now.
Edited by cmeknit on 23/03/05 07:14 PM.
