Well, as we bear witness to the end of Terri Schiavo’s life, did we learn anything?
How will we remember this person? I hope that she become synonymous with the problems of bulimia, rather than this right to die case. If we are so concerned with saving lives, we need to start with saving people who could fall victim to a similar fate.
We need to ensure that we maintain a living will, and ensure that everyone in our family knows what our exact wishes are.
Maybe, we will use this as a time to reflect on the need to do more in the neurosurgical research departments so that maybe at the onset of a persistive vegetative state, we can have some progress in have a roadmap toward any sort of recovery.
Both the parents and husband of Terri Schiavo have gone through a very tough time, and now are in mourning. They no longer need the circus of the media to continue this charade of following a story. Both parties need to have the space to mourn as they need to without the prying eyes of the public, and if not for them, then out of respect for Terri herself.
I don’t see her as a public citizen. She didn’t ask for people to even know her name. It has only been through the court system and the media circus that has played through the political system that has enabled this to occur. We can’t fix the past. It’s over. But we can do something about the future. As quick as politicians were to “politicize” this situation, I don’t think we will see their same alacrity in doing anything more to save other people from a similar fate.
For those of you who feel that you need to place blame I say this! Go Away. Where were you 15 years ago? What did you do to save this person from being bulimic? There is plenty of blame to go around if that is what you chose to get out of her death, but we should consider something greater. Blame never solves the real problems.
In death, I hope this helps saves people from becoming victims of bulimia.
In death, I hope this sends out the message to young people to get a living will, or at least communicate to your friends and family very clearly, your final wishes.