Schiavo Case Sparks Push for Living Wills

TAMPA, Fla. - Terri Schiavo didn't have a living will. But because of her, thousands of other Americans won't make that same mistake. Attorneys and organizations that promote the importance of living wills and advance directives say the bitter legal battle over the severely brain damaged woman has led many people to put their end-of-life wishes in writing.

At attorney Christopher Likens' office in Sarasota, clients invariably bring up Terri Schiavo as they put their affairs in order.

"Almost universally, it's `That poor girl. I don't ever want that to happen to me,'" Likens said. "People are much more informed about the issue."

Most American adults - estimates are as high as 75 percent - do not have written directives for their families to follow.

snip...


While I didn't want to add to the tide of Terri Schiavo threads, I thought his particular story has some merit. I know my feelings on being kept alive in the hospital under artificial means and I have mentioned it in passing to my family, but this whole situation has made me realize I need to put something in writing.

If anything comes out of this whole insane mess, perhaps getting the general public to make their own "Living Wills" so that their wishes in similar circumstances will be known.

http://start.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20050321/423e54d0_3ca6_1552620050321-2133624061

challenge your living will as well, which is just as legally sound.

Terri Schiavo never put anything in writing designating her wishes. It's just her husband's word that she didn't want to live like this.
That's been the big problem.

:shrug:

as well.

The real issue is that this is a legally sound case, as has been upheld in 19 courts.

That's as sound as any living will.

If THIS can be challenged so can ANYTHING.

"He signed a living will but that didn't take into account possible cures in development".

"He signed a living will, but his spouse can not be trusted to understand his intent in it."

"He signed a living will but we don't think he's REALLY brain dead just because a few doctors say he is, so life support must be maintained".

there arn't too many that say, keep my body alive as long as possible.

Aren't the people keeping Terry alive, disobeying God. When good people die, you hear people say, "God chose him/her to come home". God chose Terry nearly 15 years ago. Don't you think God is pissed, that mere mortals are fucking with his plan.

Cheers
Drifter

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but taking one person's sworn testimony over another person's sworn testimony is tricky. Why believe her over other people who indicate otherwise?

this is an important issue for us all. Especially myself since I am gay amd my partner has absolutetly no say in what happens to me.

He wasn't able to get info on me while I was in the hospital. (see my thread in lounge) I had to make sure that they could tell him. I was lucky enough that they allowed him to visit me before my parents made it.

I need to get the paper work filled out for power of attorney. I also will probably need to seek legal advice making sure that our documents are iron clad.

My sister-n-law is gay and when her long time partner was ill a few months back she had similar trouble at the hospital.

It really sucks, but this is the world we live in and unfortunately it won't get any better under the shrub.

when his partner died, the sister threw him out and got EVERYTHING, even though the neighbor had paid half the mortgage! Terrible.

I always tell myself that nothing in this world surprises me anymore. Then I hear a new story of stupidity, cruelty, or man's inhumanity to other people or animals and I'm back to shaking my head.

Lord...:(