Nearly two weeks after a court ordered her feeding tube removed, and after multiple attempts by her parents to get the order lifted, Terri Schiavo passed away on at the age of 41. Schiavo's case has polarized the nation, with no lack in emotion from all sides. Below are some of your thoughts and prayers on the case for her husband, her parents, and the woman behind the story, Terri Schiavo. (We are no longer taking submissions on this topic. Thank you for your interest and the thousands of responses.)
Truly stumped
I'm truly stumped. I don't know which part of this story is more evil or un-American: All this media frenzy on this one dying woman solely for the ratings. Or, the shameless behavior by both families. Or the "Christian" pro-lifers who threaten to kill the husband and his siblings. Or a condemnation of the husband on the House floor by a corrupt conservative politician (that would be you Mr. DeLay). Or a president and Congress who violate the Constitution by passing a bill for a single person. Or a President who cuts short his vacation for this one woman, when the second worst school shooting in our history occurs, and says nothing about it for a week. Or a Supreme Court that won't even acknowledge the case to provide guidance. Maybe I'm stumped because it's not un-American. It's too American. Are we proud of ourselves now?
—Anonymous
Deepest regrets
My deepest regrets to the family of Terri Schiavo. Michael, I salute you for being the man that has the last say. My thoughts and prayers go out to Terri, Michael and the Schindler family. God bless her soul.
—Linda Eng, Daly City, Calif.
Carrying out Terri’s wishes
I feel for both sides of this family. Each of them were only trying to carry out what they believed were Terri's wishes. Unfortunately, Terri's life ended this morning. This country really needs to sit down and look at what has torn this Schindler and Schiavo families apart. All of us need to express to our loved ones what our wishes for death are. Our prayers go out to the families during this very difficult time.
—Mrs. Becker, Largo, Fla.
Flip-flopped on case
I'm flip-flopped on the situation. I agree that there should be wills mandatory. But people change their mind. I would not want to live like that, but people are different. I agree with Michael Schiavo for carrying out Terri's wishes, but if her parents wanted to pay money to take care of her in the hospice, then let them. But, I probably would not have given up either. She has been like this for 15 years, she should have been dead, 14-and-a-half years ago. It's a waste of money, and time, keeping her like that. Five years is pushing it on life support. But 15? My prayers are with the Schiavo, and Schindler family. I'm so sorry for your loss. Terri is in a better place now.
—James Maiello, Lithia, Fla.
No business getting involved
The government and the media had no business getting involved in something that is private family business. Maybe the protesters in front of the hospice don’t realize that there are people who die every day under similar circumstances with family members grieving just as much. I find it very strange that the phoney politicians trying to "keep Terri alive" are the biggest proponents of capital punishment. I feel sorry for Mr. Schiavo and everyone involved. Maybe now they can grieve in peace.
—Gail Gruenburg, Chesterfield Mich.
Shameful publicity
I feel it is a shame that what happened had to be so widely publicized. The fact is, Michael Schiavo had every right to make the decision he did, regardless of his new family. To challenge that authority and try to change laws of the United States based on one family's tragedy and politicians' bids to be 'heroes' is disgraceful. Rest in peace Terri, I certainly will tonight knowing that our country's legal system is still intact.
—John Schnitzler, Newark Valley, N.Y.
Actions over words
If Michael has Terri's best interest at heart and only wants to carry out her wishes, why is he planning to have her body cremated when it is against her religion? His actions don't line up with his words.
—Anonymous, Jacksonville, N.C.
Judged in the spotlight
What a shame. I feel bad that Terri was put in the spotlight to be judged by everyone. This should have stayed a private matter not a public one.
—Sandy, Mich.
Disgraceful ending
Regardless of which side you take, if Michael Schiavo had compassion for his wife in trying to allow her to carry our her so-called wish to not live in her condition, he certainly did not have compassion for her or her family when the final hour of Terri's life arrived when he failed to allow her parents at her bedside at the time of her death. Based on what her friends have said about her, Terri's wishes would have been to have all her family at her bedside at the time of her death. I think it is terrible that he did not let her family be there at that time.
—Willis Blacknall, Waycross, Ga.
Perspective lost
The person known as Terri died 15 years ago. Somehow her parents lost all perspective of what was in Terri's best interest. I think this became an "us against the husband" issue, not whether Terri would want to live this way. Living is one thing, having a life is another. Terri is now in a better place. God bless her family.
—Chris Butler, Algonquin, Ill.
A dark day
This is truly a dark day in our nation. An innocent life has been unjustly eliminated by the hands of evil people. May God have mercy on all of us. My heart & prayers go out to the Schindler family.
—Janice DeToro, Streamwood, Ill.
In awe of Michael
I stand in awe of Michael Schiavo's courage and determination to carry out Terri's wishes. He has my profound respect and admiration. My prayers today, are that those I trust to carry out my final wishes will find the same strength, should they ever be confronted with the assault Mr. Schiavo has endured. Terri is finally at peace, Michael will need time to heal, and our Constitution's system of checks and balances remains intact. It's time for everyone else to put down their microphones and go home!
—G. H. Mathews, Richmond, Va.
An everyday occurrence
As a physician, I am frankly shocked at the media coverage of an event that occurs everyday in American hospitals. Medical ethicists have outlined appropriate conditions for the withdrawal of life sustaining care. The withdrawal of a measure is, from a medical ethics standpoint, no different than having never started that therapy initially.
—Eric P., Hershey, Pa.
Nobody knows but Terri
No one really knows what Terri Schiavo wanted or can really say what exactly happened to a vibrant young woman. My heart goes all to all family and friends who loved and knew this young woman. I feel badly for her husband, what he is going to have to go through for his decision. People can be very cruel. We don't have the right to judge or should decide when a life is over. God is the only that should make that decision. I pray her soul is at peace and I pray for her family and friends to heal.
—Mari Estenes, Freehold, N.J.
Pity for Michael
Mr. Schiavo kept Terri alive for 15 years -- he did try to help her. I think he did the right thing, also the courts did the right thing. I am sorry Terri has passed away, my prayer's go out to Terri and her parents. I can't but feel sorry for Mr. Schiavo -- some people will have a lot of hate for him.
—Marcus Hernandez, Caruthers, Calif.
Suffering for all
Finally justice has been done. It's unfortunate that this nation would not allow a faster method of death, but in this case I suspect the only suffering it prolonged was of those who live still who were not ready to let go. I hope her parents find peace, and are able to someday see how they were deluding themselves. Thank you, Michael, for hanging on and making sure the right thing was eventually done. I can only hope that, should I ever find myself in the position Terri was in, someone like you will be on my side.
—Layla, Minnesota
Shameful situation
Far too much media coverage, political exploitation, religious manipulation and public drama.
—Maurice Elfeke, McDonough, Ga.
Impact will be felt
My heart aches for this family and my prayers are with them now in their time of need. This is so unjust, that their daughter has been taken from them by such unnecessary means. It is a shame that it came to this. Shame on the courts, judges and Michael Schiavo for this unrelenting attack on the Schindler's and their attempt to save Terri's life. You are the people that have caused euthanasia to become acceptable in our society. Everyone dies but not everyone gets to live and that was taken away from Terri. I pray that she is in Heaven now, and that her family's pain and grief is somehow minimized by that fact. Peace be with them and Terri.
—Carrie Billingsly, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Terri in a better place
I know the Schindlers have to be devastated, but I do believe that Terri is in a better place and it was right to let her go. My family had to make the hardest decision of our lives two years ago to remove my father's life support. There is no decision harder than choosing to let someone you love pass out of this world. I miss my father everyday. Not a day goes by that I do not miss him and grieve for him. But, if I had to do it all again, I would make the same decision. He is in a much better place now.
—Angela Noonan, Mayfield, Ky.
Extending life can be cruel
I believe it was cruel to keep a person hospitalized, unconscious and inserted tubes for food and water. I hope that someday our citizens and news media can avoid making a tragic situation worse by their frantic efforts. We must learn to accept the information provided by the professionals in different fields instead of beating our wings like a captured bird at fate. I hope all parties can now relax and include Terri and her family in their prayers.
—Howard D. Hull, Jr., Lake Quivira, Kan.
Finding comfort
It is my opinion that when Michael Schiavo entered a new relationship and had children by that relationship, he in effect abandoned his marriage and by his actions, should have had no say in this matter. I send my condolences to the true family of Terri and hope that in her rest they will find comfort.
—James LaRoche, Gardner, Mass.
Living wills should be mandatory
No one will know for sure what Terry Schiavo wanted. However, that said, I doubt that she would have wanted to live like this as the puppet of her husband and family. I think that the living will should be made mandatory for all citizens, residents and even visitors to the U.S. in order to prevent another gory circus as this case had become. My condolences to Terri's husband, family and friends. As for Terri, I hope that she finally may rest in peace. May God rest her soul.
—Vesna Zafirovski, Chicago
Come together for Terri
How sad it is that when a family should have been coming together in their love for their wife, sister, and daughter that they have been so bitterly divided. All members believed that they knew what Terri wished. Now that she is gone, they should come together to honor and celebrate the life of Terri, not the life she has led for the last 15 years, but the life she lived before. I hope that her husband and her immediate family eventually come to a point where they can do that together.
—Carrie S., Northford, Conn.
‘I believe that Terri could hear everything’
My thoughts and prayers go out to Terri's family. Her husband on the other hand, well hopefully he'll never need to be placed on a feeding tube or anything, because I'll be the first person to voice my opinion to have it pulled! The government should have helped the parents get the tube back in. I believe that Terri could hear everything that her parents and family was saying to her.
—Lori Fedor, Lynn Haven, Fla.
Need to better protect our citizens
Terri's death demonstrates that we do not have a democracy that protects its citizens, particularly the defenseless. Every day, seniors in this country are treated with equal disdain, disrespect and dishonor in nursing homes around the nation. The Schiavo case will stike fear in the hearts of all seniors. All three branches of both the state and federal governments were impotent in preventing Terri from experiencing a death that reminds one of the death of Christ.
—Lois Jean Gover, Grand Blanc, Mich.
Hope there will never be another public ordeal like this
It is sad that her parents could not let her go and even sadder that the government got involved in something that they had no business getting involved in. I do however, feel that he should have been a bigger person and let her parents and siblings remain in the room until she passed. Hopefully, lessons have been learned from this and there will never be another ordeal like this publicized.
—Amanda Bowers
The need for living wills
I hope that now our nation will figure out the importance of living wills. This could have all been prevented with this important document. My wife and I will be filling ours out immediately. My thoughts turn to the entire Schiavo family.
—TDoran, Pennsauken, N.J.
Consistency in pro-life agenda?
I just wish some of the protestors outside of her hospice could spend some time protesting the Iraq War (>100,000 civilians killed, none of whom were in Persistent Vegetative States), the death penalty (Bush killed 150 people when he was governor of Texas, some of whom may have been innocent), or protesting the Red Lake, MN school shooting. If you are "pro-life" then you are against the death penalty, against the war in Iraq, and against assault weapons. —Richard Weiner, Peoria, Ill.
Lack of compassion
May God forgive everyone who killed this woman and may Terri spirit haunt them until they die. I taught Special Education for 31 years and there are many children in Terri's condition and even some children are more disabled than Terri was physically and mentally. Do we kill these children too? God help all of us when we do not have compassion or value for the disabled.
—Fran Fausey, Bloomsburg, Pa.
This has not been easy on anyone
My prayers go out to all of Terri's family. The system worked. I do hope that all the protesters will go home and give privacy to all those living and dealing with the hospice. This has not been easy on anyone involved. God bless everyone.
—Tonya Smith, Montrose, Colo.
The battle ends
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family of Terri. My hat is off to husband Michael for fighting the battle on Terri's behalf. It is obvious that his fight was on his wife’s behalf, why else would he have perused this for 15 years? God Bless all of them!
—Donna Mays, Hickory, N.C.
Thank you, Michael
Michael, thank you for being strong and fulfilling your wife Terri's wish to only live if she could live fully. Our prayers are with you. It is unfortunate that Terri's family is so dysfunctional that they do not understand that death is but another life.
—Toni W, Rapid City, S.D.
Not giving Terry a chance
It's a shame that murderers on death row get more consideration than a woman who did nothing to anyone. I am saddened by the passing of Terri. I am equally saddened that she was never given the chance to live and be rehabilitated. She was not a vegetable; she had emotions and reacted to people. Our courts failed by not looking at all the evidence.
—Vicki, Tulsa, Okla.
It went on for too long
Terri had lost the parts of her brain that make us human. She was reduced to a primitive state, less responsive that a good pet. I don't really understand how this tragedy went on so long. When I read a lot of these comments, I am frightened for my country as it is clear that there are many inhumane, delusional, non-analytical people who will do or say almost anything further their agenda. The political influence this fringe has accumulated is the scariest thing. Where is this all taking us?
—Rey, Spartanburg, S.C.
Her journey is now complete
I am relieved Terri's ordeal is over. As a nation, we had no right, nor invitation, to involve ourselves in this personal family matter. If any good can come of this, hopefully more people will discuss and put in writing their end of life wishes. I certainly hope my husband will be allowed to carry out my wishes and that my parents will be able to let me go should I ever face the same situation. And I would certainly expect him to fight for me if necessary. I hope Michael Schiavo, his companion and their children live a peaceful, happy life, and I hope the Schindlers also find peace. She left long ago, now her journey is complete.
—Emily, Naples, Fla.
'We are in God's hands'
I am glad that Terri is now at peace. By her staying alive so long after the tube was removed only points up that we are in God's hands, not a machine or a tube. They thought that Terri would die immediately, she didn't. She left this tired old world when God got ready, not man. I know a lot of hearts went out to her family and some to her husband, but in the end I believe her husband upheld her wish.
—Pat Gregory
It was for the best
It's difficult to lose someone, but in this case, I think Terri's passing was a blessing and the best for all concerned. Michael only wanted Terri to be out of misery, and Terri has suffered enough without the ability to live a life of quality. Quantity means nothing unless a life is lived to a certain degree of quality, and Terri's quality was lost years ago. My prayers go out to the family, however, but they are not alone. People have situations similar to this and need to make decisions for the welfare of loved ones, each and every day.
—Anonymous, Chicago, Ill.
Everyone is judgmental
Reading these posts I'm ashamed of some of the attitudes of judgment passed against Michael Schiavo. Lest we all forget, this would not have been a legal nightmare had her parents been able to let her go and rest in peace. More atrocious than their histrionics and abuse of the court system was the paltry and shameful attempts by the Republicans and President Bush to insert themselves in this private family matter. Equally shameful is the Religious Right's attempts to use this poor woman as the poster child of their increasingly extreme agenda. My prayers are with the family on both sides who are grieving a loss. But I also have prayers for people who sit in judgment of Michael Schiavo. None of us has the right to pass judgment!
—Keith Stiles, Waynesville, N.C.
America owed her a chance to live
I am saddened by this event. I have been following this very closely and feel that we have crossed the line today, actually two weeks ago when the feeding tube was taken out. I also feel that we should apologize to Terri for letting her down. Each American owed her the chance to live, not help her to die. I never thought that I would ever be ashamed to be an American, but today I am very ashamed of my country. Where do we go from here?
—Judy Higdon, Owensboro, Kan.
'Terri is in a better place'
If you believe in God, and that there is a heaven, then Terri is in a better place. It is selfish on our parts to want her to remain with us here on earth. I have experienced this with the passing of my 8 year old son who recently died of cancer. I wanted him to survive no matter what!!! Once he passed then I realized that there is a point where you have to let your loved ones pass so they can live in peace. I only hope that Terri's parents believe in God.
—Oakdale, La.
Her spirit has been gone for years
Although I would never wish for someone to die, I believe the true spirit of Terri Schiavo has been gone for years. I hope her parents can finally accept her passing and find peace in the knowledge that she is with God now. This has been a wake-up call for us all - my own family has been talking about what we would want to happen in a similar circumstance. This debate has also brought up conversations about organ donations and our family's individual wishes. Our teenage daughters have also told us their wishes. All of the radical groups can go home now and stop the media circus. I pray that all parties involved can find peace and get on with their lives.
—Debbie Daniels, Oberlin, Ohio
Shame on the courts
My prayers go out the Terri's family. It was horrible that our court system let a human being die this way. I hope now she is in a better place —Lisa, Los Angeles, Calif.
A personal issue
I think Michael Schaivo had the right to do what he thought his wife would want. I think this was a case of parents not knowing when or how to let go. It is not a government issue, it is a personal issue. God bless Terri. She is finally at peace. Let this be a lesson to all to have a living will and health care power of attorney. —Kim, Concord, N.C.
Moving on
I'm glad her struggle is over. Her husband was just carrying out her wish. Her parents can now get on with their lives and put an end to their bedside vigil for a woman who would never recover.
—Anonymous
The system worked
My prayers go out to all of Terri's family. The system worked. I do hope that all the protesters will go home and give privacy to all those living and dealing with the hospice. This has not been easy on anyone involved. God bless everyone.
—Tonya Smith, Montrose, Colo.
She was never given the chance
It's a shame that murderers on death row get more consideration than a woman who did nothing to harm anyone. I am saddened by her passing. I am equally saddened that she was never given the chance to live and be rehabilitated. She was not a vegetable, she had emotions and reacted to people. Our court system failed by not looking at all the evidence.
—Vicki, Tulsa, Okla.
I applaud Michael
Michael you believed in your heart that what you did was right. I applaud the fact that you stood by that belief for 15 years. I am sure Terri is watching over you now. I can’t say that I blame you for keeping her parents away during the final moments. That is not the time for people to tell you what to do. It is a time for you to say a final goodbye. God be with you and your family. You did the right thing.
—Dawna Fennewald, New Baden, Ill.
Feeling sorry for her parents
I feel deeply sorry for her parents. They must be heart broken. It's a shame to see so much discord among families.
—Mimi, Deming, Wash.
Rest in peace
Finally now this young woman will be able to rest in peace.
—Henry Walker
Feeling for friends and family
My heart goes out to all of her friends and family. May Terri now, finally, rest in peace.
—Christina Rayl, Osawatomie, Kan.
Michael made her parents suffer
I have no sympathy for her husband. He was already engaged, living his new life. Why couldn't he leave Terri well enough alone. So now, he has not only taken Terri Schiavo, but has left her parents to suffer.
—Anonymous
Free at last
Terri Schiavo— free at last!! Now hopefully the state of Florida will sue to recover the costs of the frivolous lawsuits, the town will sue to recover the extra costs incurred by the police and the radical right will receive the scorn and disdain they deserve for taking this womans humanity and dignity and turning it into a media circus for thier own motives.
—Toni B., Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Sad statement on human race
I believe that it is a very sad statement when as a human race we have fallen so low as to starve another human being to death. My prayers go out to her parents and family. As far as her husband is concerned he needs all the prayers he can get for God shall surely judge him. —Susan
A message to us all
I feel Terri Schiavo's life is a message to us all. There is a lesson to be learned. I also pray for justice to be served on all those who were against her life. I pray the truth be revealed and peace for her parents and siblings and all those across the world who are affected by this most dreadful news of her passing. I am glad Terri is finally at peace and home with her Father.
—Angel Vogt, Everett, Wash.
Tragic story
I believe that this was likely the most tragic story I have ever been witness to. Not because of the parents' efforts to save their daughter, or for the husband's efforts to do what his wife would have wanted. I believe it is tragic for the fact that the woman at the center of this entire debacle has become little more than a circus sideshow during all of this. I believe the courts did the right thing, and I believe that the president, congress and whoever else butted their noses into it should have just stayed out of it. It did not concern them, nor should there be ANY reason for those outside of the court battles to get involved.
— Karen Dobry, Harrisburg, Pa.
Husband is a cruel man
This was horrible. Her husband is a very cruel man, first of all to let her die and second to not let her family be in there with her. He is a heartless cruel man who should rot in hell.
—Tennille Carpenter, Miss.
A more painless way to die?
I feel that this woman should have been put out of her misery. A little morphine would do it and it would all be over. Where was Dr. Kevorkian when we needed him? This whole thing was cruel. We give more humane attempts with our pets than this poor woman got.
—Jody Akins, Olney, Ill.
'I was judgemental'
I pray that God will have mercy on Terri, her husband, her parents and on ME. I have been very judgmental in all of this and now hope for forgiveness. There is not one single winner here. All we can gain from this is our own sense of morality and how we want to be treated. As for me, I'd want somebody to keep me alive as long as possible.
—Anonymous
No goodbye for her family
Not only couldn’t the family take her water but they couldn’t even say goodbye! Unforgivable! —JW, Tampa, Fla.
God rest her soul
This time her body went to be with her brain. May God rest her soul and finally give her the comfort she requested. God please comfort the Schindlers and Michael Schiavo and give us all the understanding we clearly lack. Take all partied into your loving arms and teach the lessons that need to be taught, whatever that is.
—Ray Coleman, Tampa, Fla.
She can now find peace
I only hope that Terri can now find peace because she was not given that by her family. The only good that has come from this is the realization to others that you need a living will and to tell everyone in your family how you feel.
—Wendy, Mich.
Shameful day for our country
This is a shameful day for our country that seems to lean more and more towards heartless, inhumane decisions. If her death was desired by so many, it should have been done in a more humane way than starvation!
—Dolores Oliveira, Corpus Christi, Texas
A better place
My prayers go out to the husband and family, but I do think that t Terri is in a much better place now after lying there for 15 years. If it truly was her wish then that is what should have been respected... not what the husband or the parents wanted. I agree with her, I wouldn't want to spend my life in bed with a tube...
—Jamie Byrnes, Roseville, Calif.
May the survivors find peace
I pray for all involved in this case. May they find peace that passes understanding and may they know with God's help forgiveness is possible.
—Andrea, Ind.