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by Kate Adamson
“Kate’s Journey” continues. This month it takes me across the nation. I have been back and forth literally from coast to coast – California to Florida, including Wisconsin and North Carolina – speaking out on the Terri Schiavo matter as it affected me and as it now affects Terri Schiavo and others in our situation.
As you read this, I am again in Florida meeting with the Governor, legislators and congressmen, and the media, on the issues that affect those who experience the horrifying circumstances of total paralysis.
Having once been voiceless, I try to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. In the matter of Terri Schiavo, I know this is a difficult decision and do not wish to demonize or villainize anyone, not the court, and not her husband...
...However, one thing I do know, and say emphatically, is that STARVING A PATIENT TO DEATH IS NOT MERCIFUL.
When I was in the hospital totally paralyzed in locked-in syndrome, I was taken off my feeding tube for eight days for medical reasons. They weren’t trying to starve me to death, but still it was one of the most excruciatingly painful experiences of my life. I could say nothing to express my pain and misery. I could only suffer horribly in silence.
I am not trying to make anyone feel any worse than they already must feel. But the decision makers must understand what it really means to starve a patient to death. If they are going to take Terri’s life, then they should have the guts to do it in a humane painless way, not starve her for the two weeks some experts say it will take her to die.
I am not important. Terri is. But I do put a human face on this. Ten years ago I was in total paralysis as is Terri. Some did not think I was aware of anything but I was aware of everything. I was on life support while Terri breathes on her own, but in other ways we were in the same condition – except I had human contact, light, sunlight, and rehabilitation. I also had a devoted husband who fought for me. He is an attorney and he went to extreme efforts to save me – and he succeeded.
As for Terri, who can know for sure what she thinks or feels. And who can know what can be done, unless you know what has been done. As far as I know, she has been warehoused with few visitors, no sunlight, no television or radio, no other outside contact. Most importantly, I understand that she has had no rehabilitation.
Again, I do not wish to villainize anyone. But one thing I will fight for and that is to save Terri Schiavo from the slow, excruciating death of starvation.
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2002-2004 Kate Adamson 409 N. Pacific Coast Highway PMB #415 Redondo Beach, CA 90277 1-800-641-KATE 1-800-641-5283 Toll Free (310) 546-8142 Fax kate@katesjourney.com |