Schiavo Case

Schiavo Case



Learning Team Case Analysis Paper: The Terri Schiavo Case

Mary Doyle, Armedia Nelson, Leighton Pinnock, Debra Southard

SOC 101

Terry Dunning

November 12, 2003
Case Analysis Paper: The Terri Schiavo Case

The case under review involves a brain-damaged woman, Terri Schiavo, and the right of her husband, Michael, to deny her life-support. As the details of this case are reiterated, it will become obvious that, in addition to carrying out Terri's wish of not wanting to be kept alive artificially, Michael is of the view that life-support for his wife is non-beneficial and futile in the attempt for her life to remain or have some semblance of normalcy. The twist in the case is the opposition to Michael’s decision by Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler. The Schindlers believe rehabilitation for Terri is possible. The Schindler’s also insist that Michael denied proper medical treatment for Terri and argue for her right to receive treatment. The Schindler’s believe that Terri is disabled and deserves help with her inability to feed herself. Terri does not have a living will. Right-to-life cases, without knowing the patient’s desire, are typically decided by consensus. In the Schiavo case, the family is divided against itself. First, this paper will shed light onto the issues and problems between Terri Schiavo’s family members with a timeline of events over the past thirteen years. The paper will continue with an examination of Michael Schiavo’s and the Schindlers’ viewpoints. Finally, this paper will make a suggestion on how the entire debate over Terri’s right-to-life could end immediately with one act that Michael could perform.
The Terri Shiavo case comprises two issues. The issues include two viewpoints. The first viewpoint is that of Terri’s husband who believes his wife would not want to be kept alive artificially and should be allowed to die. The second viewpoint is that of Terri’s parents who believe their daughter would want to live and...

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