Lessons I Learned from Terri Schiavo
This commentary aired on the Focus on the Family radio broadcast, “Family News in Focus” in April 2005
I never met Terri Schiavo but in some ways, she changed my life. I never heard her speak a word but her living and dying clarified truth for me in unexpected ways. Her life and death impacted how I view life and death, and decisions that are made in the crossing.
Terri’s journey confirmed previous beliefs and provoked new ones:
- That the dehumanizing word "vegetable" should never be applied to a human being, regardless of her condition.
- That such dehumanizing language precedes the killing of the weak and vulnerable.
- That making general statements about "pulling the plug" are not helpful for your family if you cannot make your own medical decisions.
- That the phrase, "quality of life," often reflects the values of others rather than the view of the patient.
Terri’s life and death also demonstrated to me:
- That the fear of overusing medical technology has pushed us over the moral cliff.
- That judges can, in one instance, dismantle the sanctity of marriage and then in another, uphold it when it no longer exists.
- That when in doubt, we must err on the side of life because when it comes to death, there are no "do-overs."
Terri’s life and death raised questions for all of us; tough questions we must ask and answer:
- Is the provision of food and water — even though a simple feeding tube — medical treatment or ordinary humane care?
- Should our laws presume a patient wants to die when she can no longer feed herself and swallow?
- Is a life surrounded by people who love you and want to care for you necessarily a bad life?
- And, in a society that allows and even applauds the intentional death of a disabled woman, whose life will be the next "life unworthy to be lived?"
Terri Schiavo never spoke a word to me but her life and death spoke volumes to all who will listen. And, her legacy depends on how we will respond to that message.
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