Michael Shiavo's arguing that Terri told him she would not want to live this way. As her husband he has standing to decide to honor what he claims are her wishes (regardless, we cannot prove she ever contradicted her statement of those wishes). As I see it, it is humanly possible for Shiavo to assert AND THINK in his heart of hearts that he's doing what Terri would have wanted...
-w.r.t. her living in a PVS.
and
-w.r.t. her wanting him not to put his life on hold for her (re: the woman with whom he's sired children).
These are not mutually exclusive points, as I see them (though there is no doubt in the Court of Public Opinion that they cast grave doubt over Shiavo's behavior and make it look as though he wants to get Terri out of the way, get on with his life, and collect whatever settlement money remains that hasn't been spent on attorneys fees).
I would also have thought over the years that if Terri were truly in a state of minimized consciousness rather than a state of PVS that Terri's parents would have sought out doctors who would have confirmed this. Have they? If they have and cannot get a doctor to attest to a diagnosis other than PVS...well, I'm sorry. If the best medical standards can't come away with anything other than PVS, what are you going to do?
As a parent, my heart breaks for the Schindlers. This isn't how they want to see their daughter, but over the years, their caring for her is how they've managed to continue their relationship with her. Were I in their place, I would want heaven and earth to be moved to prolong the life of either of my girls. And yes, I'd be begging Michael to let me have her to continue her care.
This is a heart-breaking sitaution, yet I do honestly see both sides.
