Terri Schiavo’s Autopsy Report Leaves Unanswered Questions
by Bonnie Chernin Rogoff | View comments |
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Now that Terri Schiavo’s autopsy report results are in, the left-wing media death squad elitists are demanding apologies and retractions from those of us who criticized Michael Schiavo and the Florida system of “justice.”
Now that Terri Schiavo’s autopsy report results are in, the left-wing media death squad elitists are demanding apologies and retractions from those of us who criticized Michael Schiavo and the Florida system of “justice.” Regarding one of my articles, “Michael Schiavo: Loving Husband or Monster?,” it was inevitable that I would receive the obligatory hate mail from verifiable nutcases. Here’s one of my favorites:
I do not like you & I do not think that Jesus does either. Du (sic) unto others as you would have done to you. Apologies should go to Michael Schiavo & the the FLA court system and you should get on your knees & beg JC for forgiveness.
Wow. Forget the bad grammar and spelling — didn’t Jesus heal the sick? Didn’t he defend the downtrodden? If he were alive today, I’ll bet Jesus would have been at Terri’s side to save her life from the corrupt Florida government officials that wanted her dead and helped her husband kill her.
In an outrageous display of bias, the mainstream media is reporting that the autopsy results favor Michael Schiavo’s contention that his wife was “brain dead.” They are 100% wrong. First, the results obtained by Pinellas County Medical Examiner Dr. Jon Thogmartin are incomplete and inconclusive, and the case is remaining open. Second, The Empire Journal reports that the ME was relying mainly on records provided by Gary Fox, one of Michael Schiavo’s medical malpractice attorneys, and that many of the documents were destroyed or missing. Third, Terri was left to rot in a bed for 15 years with no medical care or any efforts to rehabilitate her.
Most important, Dr. Thogmartin was examining a corpse that had just undergone 13 days of extensive dehydration, and that accelerated the deterioration of Terri’s body that was already in progress once her feeding tube had been removed.
The autopsy shows that Terri was profoundly disabled. We already knew that some doctors testified she was in a “vegetative” state, and other medical experts disagreed. We knew Terri collapsed as a result of oxygen deprivation to her brain. As for the new mind-blowing “revelation” that Terri was blind, let’s not forget that Dr. Thogmartin is making that analysis after viewing her body as it appears in 2005. The video in which Terri is seen tracking a balloon was filmed three years ago. Her family knew she was visually impaired. With an extensive brain injury and no therapy for 15 years it is not inconceivable that Terri’s current blindness may have happened suddenly, or as a result of a gradual downward progression of her overall condition, or as a result of the dehydration.
What is a surprise is that Dr. Thogmartin found no evidence of bulimia or of a potassium imbalance that would have caused Terri to collapse on February 25, 1990. There is no evidence she had a heart condition before that date, either. Michael Schiavo made the talk show rounds, asserting that Terri's profound disability resulted from undiagnosed bulimia. That means Michael Schiavo lied. The false bulimia charge left many people with a negative view of Terri’s character, and for that Michael Schiavo should be ashamed. One Michael supporter I spoke with had such contempt for Terri based upon her alleged eating disorder he actually said she deserved to die back in 1990.
Regarding the lack of blood flow and oxygen to Terri’s brain, The Empire Journal recounts that the ME did not rule out that the initial injuries could have been caused by smothering. Significantly, had Terri been treated with antibiotics for all her infections she could have lived another ten years.
To date, we do not know what happened to Terri Schindler-Schiavo on February 25, 1990. We can now rule out bulimia and a potassium imbalance. Questions abound. Michael Schiavo said on Larry King Live that Terri collapsed at 4:30 a.m. There was a 70 minute gap between the time Terri collapsed and the time 911 was called. Why the delay? EMS arrived at 5:52 a.m. Why did Michael not administer CPR to his wife immediately? Why was a police report filed, indicating circumstances looked suspicious? Does this mean Michael attempted to murder his wife by strangling her? No. However, the circumstances and extent of Terri’s brain injury certainly support that theory!
It is very disturbing that so many records are missing. If George Felos or another of Michael Schiavo’s lawyers selectively destroyed documents that would have provided more insight into Terri’s initial collapse, gradual decline or potential chances of recovery then the facts may remain hidden and unprovable. Perhaps a crime was covered up; perhaps not. Maybe we’ll never find out. At least the case remains open and that’s all the solace the Schindler family has.
Bonnie Chernin Rogoff is the Founder of Jews for Life and reports on a variety of subjects including pro-life issues and politics.
Email Bonnie Chernin Rogoff
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