Michael Schiavo is a name that has been inextricably tied to the bitter controversy surrounding the life and death of his wife Terri Schiavo This controversy began when in 1990, at the age of 26, Terri suffered a heart attack that left her in a state of permanent unconsciousness. For the next 15 years, Michael and the rest of Terri’s family would be locked in a long, drawn out and emotional battle over the right to decide Terri’s fate. At the heart of this debate was the question of whether Michael had the right to make the decision to remove Terri’s feeding tube, an action that would effectively lead to her death.
Michael Schiavo became the center of this controversy when he asserted that Terri had made her wishes clearly known to him prior to her heart attack, and that she had expressed her desire to not be kept alive by artificial means should she ever become incapacitated. He further argued that he was the one best equipped to make the decision to honor his wife’s wishes, and that any other interference would violate her right to autonomy. His position was vigorously opposed by Terri’s parents, who believed that she was aware and could be rehabilitated, and that unilaterally removing the feeding tube was a reckless and immoral act.
Ultimately, the court sided with Michael, and on March 18th, 2005, the feeding tube was removed, leading to Terri’s death 13 days later. Despite this court ruling, Michael Schiavo still remains a lightning rod for intense criticism from those opposed to his decision to remove the feeding tube.
Best Examples Of Michael Schiavo:
1. Michael Schiavo was initially appointed by a court as Terri Schiavo's guardian in 1990, just a few months after her medical crisis occurred. He was tasked with making all medical decisions on her behalf.
2. Throughout the lengthy court battle, which included several appeals all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Michael Schiavo remained steadfast in his belief that Terri Schiavo had made her wishes clear when she expressed her desire to not be kept alive artificially.
3. Michael Schiavo was vilified both in the media and in public opinion for his decision to remove the feeding tube, despite the fact that he had the legal right to do so.
4. After the feeding tube was removed, Michael Schiavo founded the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, an organization dedicated to helping families with members who have experienced similar life-changing medical events.
5. In the years since Terri Schiavo’s death, Michael Schiavo has become an outspoken advocate for end-of-life rights and decisions, speaking at numerous conferences and events about the need for people to have autonomy over their own health and medical care.