Changes

Terri Schiavo was not terminally ill, but she was determined to be in a "[[persistent vegetative state]]".  This conclusion was reached by neurologists hired on the side seeking her death, but disputed by neurologists hired by Terri’s parents.  Her parents were given the right to a comprehensive examination of Terri by order of the Florida 6th Judicial Circuit court.  Two neurologists selected by Michael Schiavo, one radiologist and one neurologist selected by Terri’s parents, and one neurologist selected by the court examined Terri and her medical history thoroughly.  The judge declared that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of improvement.[http://abstractappeal.com/schiavo/WolfsonReport.pdf]

Terri Schiavo was not terminally ill, but she was determined to be in a "[[persistent vegetative state]]".  This conclusion was reached by neurologists hired on the side seeking her death, but disputed by neurologists hired by Terri’s parents.  Her parents were given the right to a comprehensive examination of Terri by order of the Florida 6th Judicial Circuit court.  Two neurologists selected by Michael Schiavo, one radiologist and one neurologist selected by Terri’s parents, and one neurologist selected by the court examined Terri and her medical history thoroughly.  The judge declared that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of improvement.[http://abstractappeal.com/schiavo/WolfsonReport.pdf]

==Role of husband==

==Role of The Husband: Michael Schiavo==

While still married to Terri, Michael Schiavo [[adultery|started a new family with another woman]], whom he eventually married after Terri's death, while insisting on retaining legal authority over Terri despite the objections of her parents and siblings.<ref>http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/26/Tampabay/She_s_the_other_woman.shtml]</ref> Generally, in the absence of an advanced directive, health care decisions are authorized to be made by surrogates in the following order: (1) the spouse, unless legally separated; (2) an adult child; (3) a parent; or (4) an adult brother or sister. <ref>http://www.uniformlaws.org/shared/docs/health%20care%20decisions/uhcda_final_93.pdf</ref> Michael Schiavo had the legal authority to make the health care decision, but he had to show by clear and convincing evidence that Theresa Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state and that Theresa would elect to cease life-prolonging procedures if she were competent to make her own decision. <ref>''Bush v. Schiavo'', 885 So. 2d 321 (Fla. 2004).</ref> After ten years in a persistent vegetative state that robbed Theresa Schiavo of most of her cerebrum and all but the most instinctive of neurological functions, Michael Schiavo petitioned the Guardianship Court to authorize the termination of life-prolonging procedures. <ref>''Schiavo I'', 780 So. 2d at 177 (Fla. 2001).</ref>

While still married to Terri, Michael Schiavo [[adultery|started a new family with another woman]], whom he eventually married after Terri's death, while insisting on retaining legal authority over Terri despite the objections of her parents and siblings.<ref>http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/26/Tampabay/She_s_the_other_woman.shtml]</ref> Generally, in the absence of an advanced directive, health care decisions are authorized to be made by surrogates in the following order: (1) the spouse, unless legally separated; (2) an adult child; (3) a parent; or (4) an adult brother or sister. <ref>http://www.uniformlaws.org/shared/docs/health%20care%20decisions/uhcda_final_93.pdf</ref> Michael Schiavo had the legal authority to make the health care decision, but he had to show by clear and convincing evidence that Theresa Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state and that Theresa would elect to cease life-prolonging procedures if she were competent to make her own decision. <ref>''Bush v. Schiavo'', 885 So. 2d 321 (Fla. 2004).</ref> After ten years in a persistent vegetative state that robbed Theresa Schiavo of most of her cerebrum and all but the most instinctive of neurological functions, Michael Schiavo petitioned the Guardianship Court to authorize the termination of life-prolonging procedures. <ref>''Schiavo I'', 780 So. 2d at 177 (Fla. 2001).</ref>