Tenacious Schiavo

I find it incredible that Terri Schiavo has survived for 12 days without water. It makes me wonder if someone is sneaking in liquids, though I am ignorant of the actual situation in the hospital.

The guiding principle should be to treat her as we would want to be treated. We should honor people’s wishes, but wishes vary from person to person, and a lot of us aren’t even sure what we would want in this situation. Without knowing her wishes, the court has ruled that it’s up to her husband. I accept this outcome, though I am uneasy if he would stand to gain from her life insurance. No one should be faced with that kind of conflict of interest.

For the record, if I am brain dead or in a persistent vegetative state with no chance of recovery, or if my family is headed for the poor house to pay for my medical bills, I would like to check out. If I can respond to TV or radio, I would like to live. I wish to be an organ donor, and I opt for the least expensive burial method. If I am cremated, scatter the ashes at a wind farm.