Teri Schiavo

Posted by: Dr. Joseph Ozigis Akomodi

Written by: Miriam Ikunaiye


The quality of life begins with good health therefore, I personally believes that life is over, when I can no longer give or feel love. However, the question of the “right to die” is debatable when it comes to who is protecting whose right?

In the case of Teri Schiavo, the Florida woman whose feeding tube was ordered removed by the court before the state Legislature quickly passed a law allowing the feeding tube be put back in. Two people that allegedly love her are in a tug of war over the “right to die” or “right not to die.” The poor woman can not partake in her own decision, so, the question should be who is genuinely protecting Schiavo’s interest? Is it the parents who have crossed the limit of parental instinct of ‘never let go your child’ or is it the husband who so love her he wanted her soul to rest in peace and by the way, be able to marry his long-time girlfriend.

A patient who is in a coma is still conscious of the attention given to him or her, and can still hear what is said to him or her. Therefore all option should be exhausted before taking the life of a living human being. We must not play God by taking away another man's life just because we could.

Medical science is designed to enhance the quality of life and moreover, doctors are supposed to be tied by their oath to save lives and hence, should not do otherwise. It is simply inhumane to starve Schiavo to death. This is not the case of a person not able to live life because of medical science, she is not on life support but a feeding tube.

Talking about pulling the plug is easy, but let’s considers the long term mental anguish or guilt imposed on schivo’s loved ones –those that genuinely love her of course. One requires moral and mental strength to take such decision that lives with one forever. Listen to a mother cry and “please, please, please’ save her baby’s life. Would somebody please show the husband where the divorce court is?

Poem For Thought

Voiceless Soul could speak at dawn

Gentle soul move no more
The bright eyes roll once upon a time
Willing to tell her stories
Breathing is hard to do
Lay still like a log

Gentle soul move no more
Yet the Pale face could feel
The glassy eyes could see
Frozen in time were her ears
Yet could hear the pin drop

Gentle soul move no more
Now she speak but no one could hear her
She motioned but no one could see her
She wished, but no one could feel her
All alone in a crowd

Gentle soul move no more
Men walk over her gently soul
As some eagerly wait upon time
She could only chuckle
If the voiceless soul could speak at dawn