Terri Schiavo Biography Terri Schiavo was born Dec. 3, 1963. Her full maiden name was Theresa Marie Schindler. She married Michael Schiavo in 1984. She collapsed Feb. 25, 1990, at the age of 26. Doctors say a potassium imbalance stopped her heart, but they haven't concluded exactly why that happened. Some believe she had an eating disorder, but that hasn't been proven. Arguments Over Terri Terri Schiavo left no written record of her wishes should she be left in a comatose state. Florida law says a person's wishes should be upheld, even if they were given orally. Michael Schiavo's lawyers argued that Terri would not want to remain in this state. Michael Schiavo's family says he wanted his wife to die with dignity. Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, insisted their daughter wanted to live. They said she could be helped with therapy. Terri's parents said she reacted to them, smiled and laughed. Doctors said her reactions were primal, that Terri could not control the sounds or expressions she made. Schiavo's Marriage Terri and Michael Schiavo met at Bucks County Community College. The two dated a little more than a year and were married in 1984. The couple moved to Florida in 1986. Michael managed restaurants and Terri worked as a clerk at an insurance agency. Terri's family said there was trouble in the marriage, that Michael was too controlling and frugal, but Michael's family said that's not true. Terri's Physical State Terri Schiavo was in an almost coma-like state for more than 15 years. She suffered brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped briefly. That happened because of a possible imbalance in potassium. Schiavo could breathe on her own, but relied on a feeding and hydration tube to live. Courts officially declared her to be in a "persistent vegetative state." Michael Schiavo Turned down at least one $1 million offer to give up his rights in Terri Schiavo's case. Michael Schiavo's lawyer says he was also offered $10 million to back down. Terri's husband had been working as a registered nurse. He has at least two children with another woman. Case History Feb. 25, 1990: Terri Schiavo collapses and her heart temporarily stops. November 1992: Michael Schiavo wins more than $1 million in malpractice suit. July 1993: Terri's parents try to have Michael removed as guardian, upset over her care. February 2000: Michael requests Terri's feeding tube be removed. A judge agrees. April 2001: The feeding tube is removed after a court battle. It's reinserted two days later. Oct. 15, 2003: Feeding tube removed again after judge finds there is no hope of recovery. Oct. 21, 2003: Florida Governor Jeb Bush orders tube reinserted. September 2004: Florida Supreme Court strikes down "Terri's Law." March 18, 2005: Terri Schiavo's feeding tube is removed for third time shortly after 1 pm. March 21, 2005: President George W. Bush signs a law allowing case to go to federal court. March 22-23, 2005: A federal judge and appeals court each reject the appeal by Schiavo's parents. March 24, 2005: The U.S. Supreme Court rejects the parents' appeal. March 30, 2005: The U.S. Supreme Court again rejects another such appeal. March 31, 2005: Terri Schiavo dies. Her Feeding Tube It was connected directly to her stomach, through her abdomen area. It provided all of her nutrition, carrying in water and liquid food. The tube was removed three times, the last time on Friday, March 18, 2005. The others were in April 2001 and October 2003. (See "case history" below) It's called a PEG or percutaneous (through the skin) endoscopic gastrotomy tube. Why She Had A Feeding Tube Terri Schiavo was unable to care for herself. Her husband, Michael, insists she could not swallow. Her parents said Terri could swallow and they would be happy to feed her, drop-by-drop, by hand. She hadn't had a swallowing test in years. Courts ruled she was in a vegetative state and did not order a swallowing test. She did swallow her own saliva, according to Dr. Jay Wolfson, professor of Public Health and Medicine at the University of South Florida, who served as her legal guardian in 2003.
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