By Carrie K. Hutchens
Karen Weber, a 57 year old woman from Florida, suffered a stroke in December. Husband, Raymond Weber, has sought to have Mrs. Weber's feeding tube removed claiming she is in a vegetative state. However, according to "
Family split on feeding tube - Schiavo case remembered" (The Washington Times -- June 5, 2008), "A judge issued an injunction, prohibiting the tube's removal, and has appointed a committee composed of a neurologist and two psychologists to determine her competency."
In March of 2005, Florida held the public and horrendous execution of an innocent young woman, who had mysteriously collapsed on February 25, 1990. It was a death that stretched through thirteen days of unspeakable torture and hideous cruelty that would not be allowed if done unto an animal. But it wasn't done unto an animal -- it was done to
Terri Schiavo. Ms. Schiavo died at 9:05 a.m. on March 31, 2005 with the world watching. Will we be forced to watch again?
The Washington Times quoted Mr. Weber's attorney (Colin Cameron)...
"Mr. Weber is of the opinion that Karen does not want to live as a vegetable and that she would prefer the body to take its natural course," Mr. Cameron said.
Death by dehydration and starvation is not a "natural course." It is a forced and agonizing death.
To order no heroic measures to counter an event created by the body giving up, is one thing. To order the removal of a feeding tube is quite another. Removing a feeding tube is creating the event and staging an intended outcome from the onset. That is not "letting someone go" -- that is "making the person go."
It is difficult for some to feel comfortable with Florida having jurisdiction over helpless individuals who have fallen victim to illness or injury after the Schiavo and Ted Stith cases. (In January 2006, Ted Stith Sr had a stroke while visiting in Florida. On or about January 31, 2006, he died as a result of death by dehydration and starvation with no time given for a hint of recovery.) Will Mrs. Weber share their legacy?
On the other hand, unlike the Schiavo case, the article goes on to say...
"Mr. Weber did not contest the March injunction that kept his wife's feeding tube in place, Mr. Cameron noted. If the judge determines that Mrs. Weber has the capacity to make her own choices, Mr. Weber would abide by the decision.
"There is no intent at this point to fight what's going on," Mr. Cameron said.
Martha Tatro, Mrs. Weber's mother, objects to the removal of the feeding tube and has hired attorney Joseph Rodowicz to assist in her efforts to prevent it from happening. Both Mrs. Tatro and Mr. Rodowicz are adamant that Karen Weber is responsive and deserves a chance to live. Thus, a reason the judge has issued the injunction and appointed a committee to review Mrs. Weber's condition and make a determination and recommendation.
Mr. Weber may very well have the best of intentions and be under the belief that removal of a feeding tube is a quiet, natural and peaceful way to go. (Some in Florida preach such to be so.) However, one can hope that as he gathers further and more complete information, he will come to realize that the forced and agonizing death by dehydration and starvation should never be an option considered and therefore determine that it won't be.
Carrie Hutchens is a former law enforcement officer and a freelance writer who is active in fighting against the death culture movement and the injustices within the judicial and law enforcement systems.
3 comments:
What was done to Terri Schiavo was a travesty; state-sanctioned murder, really.
Those in authority over this situation should think long and hard about whether to dehydrate someone to death--especially when that person is likely still aware of what is happening to them.
In situations like this there are no easy answers, but when it comes to matters of life and death, it's always best to err on the side of caution.
Feeding tubes are medical devices under Florida law - see Browning, (1990).
Getting one removed, however, in the absence of an advanced written directive as in the Schiavo case likely also requires over a decade of litigation, and multiple bench trials in probate court.
Color me skeptical that this case will continue - most probably the feeding tube will remain with the patient eventually dying from some infection.
Bill, my understanding is that the law regarding the feeding tube was changed after Terri Schiavo got one. As for Karen Weber's case, or any like case, I don't believe people should be starved and dehydrated to death. We can't do that to animals nor to convicted murderers, so how can anyone justify doing it to a innocent person who has simply become disabled due to illness or injury?
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