Who should speak for Terri Schiavo?
The courts have repeatedly ruled that if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself, the responsibility for making life-support decisions rests on your spouse, if married. The chain of responsibility then goes to the eldest adult child. After any and all adult children, it falls upon the parents and finally the brothers and sisters of the patient. Terri Schiavo’s case has been heard by at least 19 judges in six courts. She has been examined by no less than 12 court-appointed neurologists. All of them have agreed that she has absolutely no cognitive function whatsoever and that her brain is so severely damaged that it is impossible for her to ever regain cognitive function. She has been subjected to intense pain with no response. Her parents do not agree with the decision made on her behalf by her husband. Her husband says that he is carrying out his wife’s wishes. The courts have agreed that he is acting responsibly and in the best interests of his wife. The courts granted
