If you knew at least a little about the world in the early 2000s, you probably remember the case of Terri Schiavo. You remember that it was a test related to the struggle between the husband and the wife’s parents about who should have decided what should happen to Terry, who was in a strong vegetative state.
Here is just a quick overview to bring you up to speed. Terry was married to Michael Schiavo, they lived in Florida. At the age of 26, Terry collapsed, and her brain was depleted of oxygen long enough to cause her brain damage and leave her in the so-called “resistant vegetative state”, this is not the same as the brain is dead, Terry could breathe her, but when breathing, it was essentially an incompetent thought, emotion, or significant bodily movement. After her death, the doctor came to the conclusion that she had a significant amount of irreversible brain damage.
The problem that took this sad private situation and made it a national headline that consumed the news, and everyone watched the fight between Michael, Terry's husband, and Terry's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler. Michael took care of Terry’s treatment since 1990 and decided that after 10 years he decided that Terry’s recovery was not realistic and he thought his wife was busy with life support. Terry's parent struggled with this and led a very public struggle to try to ensure that their daughter remained with vital support. So the legal battle followed.
Dr. Timothy E. Quill, at New England Journal of Medicine wrote a fabulous article on medical, ethical, and some legal issues concerning the Terry case, and you read here: Tragedy, United
When you explore the history of Terri Schiavo and the passion experienced by those who loved her most, and the nation as a whole, you will better understand what could be a simple and easy solution. If Terry had introduced the Advanced Medical Directive with a power of attorney at some point before its collapse, all the confusion could have been avoided. Terry could state what her desire was, if something happened to her and what she wanted to do, thereby eliminating the struggle that inevitably arises when deep emotional connections are perceived as lost when a loved one dies.
An experienced attorney can help you better cope with difficult decisions and situations by making sure that you take the necessary action before the need arises. Anyone over the age of 21, and especially those who are married and those who have children, should have at least a simple will in combination with an advanced medical directive, so this test of Terry Schiavo does not happen to you or with your loved ones.
Also watch this short documentary on the case of Terri Schiavo: http://nyti.ms/1iC7a7x
