Bobby Schindler battled with God as Terri slowly died

Hamstrung by a court's decision, her family watched as her feeding tube was withdrawn

Bobby Schindler

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Perhaps the most widely publicized case involving an end-of-life issue in recent years is that of Terri Schindler Schiavo, the former Pennsylvania woman whose husband successfully fought to have her feeding tube removed.

On March 31, 2005, Terri died of marked dehydration following more than 13 days without nutrition or hydration. She was 41.

Schiavo's case was repeatedly in the courts following her sudden and unexplained collapse in 1990, when her brain was denied oxygen for several minutes. From that moment on, she required 24-hour care.

But in the days leading up to her death, with the case then grabbing international headlines, an image of her emaciated body with mouth agape was shown repeatedly to a world seemingly split down the middle on the issue.

Terri's brother, Bobby Schindler, says he wants the world to know his sister as she was - a stunningly beautiful, vibrant woman who loved a good joke and was devoted to her Catholic faith.

Schindler was in Edmonton May 25 as a guest speaker during the Euthanasia and End-of-Life conference hosted, in part, by the Edmonton Archdiocese.

He said it was unbearably difficult for his family to watch helplessly as Terri faded away and died.

Cost Bobby his faith

He said it was an ordeal that cost him his faith in God. Yet in hindsight, Schindler sees how God was with him and the family all along.

"During that time, I felt that God had abandoned me. But I realize, when I look back, God's fingerprints were with us the entire time. I guess I was too na‹ve," he said.

"Terri, in her death, continues to touch lives, not only in my country, but throughout the world."

Schindler grew up in Philadelphia before the family moved to Florida in 1987. Terri had met her future husband Michael Schiavo, four years earlier. They married in 1987 and moved to Florida to be closer to her family.

"I wish everyone knew Terri because all of the people who were praying for her and fighting for her, would have been so proud of the person they were praying and fighting for. She was a wonderful person - very compassionate, with an overwhelming love for animals. She had a great sense of humour and we played a lot of practical jokes."

Schiavo made guardian

In June 1990, Schiavo was appointed her plenary guardian by the courts. He was made both the guardian of the person and of her property.

In July 1991, Terri was transferred to Sable Palms Nursing Facility in Largo, Fla. For a short time, she was provided physical therapy. This stopped in 1991 and was the last documented therapy ever provided to Terri.

Schindler said his sister was "basically warehoused."

"Terri was very much alive. When we walked into her room, her eyes would light up and she would immediately try to communicate with us - particularly my mother," he said. "She reacted to stories we told her. It's unfortunate we were unable to provide the love and care that she deserved."

In 1992, Schiavo began a medical malpractice suit against Terri's doctors, claiming that she may have suffered from an eating disorder, which they failed to detect. At trial, the chief of rehabilitation from Bayfront Medical Centre and a second rehabilitation specialist both testified that Terri could expect a normal life span and would require extensive care throughout her life.

The jury awarded US$600,000 for loss of spousal consortium and over US$1.5 million to Terri. Of this, US$780,000 was placed in trust to provide for Terri's future health care and therapeutic needs.

Schindler said that Schiavo controlled the trust fund and actually used the money to pay his legal fees that eventually resulted in her death.

He said Schiavo began to exercise more and more control.

In 1998, the family received a letter from Schiavo's attorney stating he was beginning a process to have Terri's feeding tube removed.

"This was also when we found out about Terri's alleged verbal wishes to Michael that she wouldn't want to live disabled."

In January 2000, the trial to have Terri's feeding tube began. The Schindlers were confident the case would be quickly thrown out.

When they learned a Catholic priest was coming to testify, they were certain he was coming on their behalf. However, he was testifying in favour of Schiavo.

Bobby blamed God

"That's when I became very angry. I blamed God for what was going on with my sister. I stopped going to church. I didn't want anything to do with my Catholicism."

Schindler told the audience of about 150 that he doesn't believe in coincidence and that the events that unfolded were unexplainable, other than by God's grace.

In 2000, Schiavo attempted to limit the people who wanted to visit Terri. The family was required to draw up a visitor's list, and Schiavo had right of refusal.

The night before, Schindler saw a television program with Father Frank Pavone, a prominent pro-life advocate in the United States. Without ever having met the man, Schindler jotted down "Frank Pavone." When the list was submitted, it was approved.

Pavone visited Terri several times, giving the family much encouragement.

A year later, Terri's feeding tube was removed for the first time. The case so far had made little fanfare, Schindler said. The family had hired a new attorney.

The day the tube was removed, Schindler was visiting his sister when a little boy walked up to him and handed him some Padre Pio medals. Schindler didn't know who the saint was. He thanked the boy and put the medals in his pocket.

That afternoon, a reporter called for an interview, but Terri's parents turned him down. Schindler suggested they reconsider because he had been kind and fair in his reporting of the case.

Schindler's father agreed and during the interview, information was brought forward that contradicted Schiavo's testimony regarding his knowledge of Terri's wishes to die if disabled. This set in motion phone calls and Terri's feeding tube was reinserted the next day.

Two days later, Schindler met the new attorney and on a shelf in her new office was a large picture of Padre Pio. The previous tenants had left it behind. The lawyer had no idea who he was.

Interest in her case began to gather steam and pressure was mounting in her favour.

In December 2003, Schindler was still distant from the Church. He watched a televised interview with Jim Caviezal talking about The Passion of the Christ. He said that was the moment his life changed.

"It was Good Friday when I went to church and prayed. I realized I was ignorant for blaming God for what was happening in my life."

Around that time, Pope John Paul II issued his statement on pastoral care, preserving life and intrinsic human dignity. It helped the family to continue their fight for Terri's life, Schindler said. "Clearly, the timing was incredible. It seemed like it was written for Terri's case."

Public circus

The day Terri's tube was removed for the last time; Schindler said it was "an absolute circus."

"The president was involved. The governor was involved. We were getting statements from the Vatican. And for some reason, Father Pavone was still allowed to visit her, even though he was speaking out internationally saying it was barbaric to see Terri die this way," Schindler said.

"The very day she died, Pope John Paul II was given a feeding tube. I walked out of the room after she died and a reporter told me the news. For Terri and the pope to be joined at that time, I think God was sending a very clear message that what was happening was wrong."

Schindler says he doesn't hate Schiavo as a person, but he hates what was done to his sister.

In fact, he prays for Schiavo and other souls like him.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter