The mission of Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF) is to give innocent and helpless human beings of any age, particularly unborn children, a trained and committed defense against the threat of death, and to support their advocates in the nation's courtrooms. LLDF will accomplish its mission and purpose through the law and education.
TERRI SCHIAVO LIVES TO CELEBRATE ANOTHER BIRTHDAY
December 3, 2004Pinellas Park, FL: The legal battle over whether or not Terri Schiavo should continue to receive nutrition and hydration continues this week in Florida. Attorneys for Governor Jeb Bush asked the United States Supreme Court to hear the case which would determine whether the Florida law enacted to protect Terri's life, and others similarly disabled, is constitutional. This happened on the heels of the Florida Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday to lift a month long stay granted to Governor Bush to appeal the case.
Despite the controversy surrounding Terri, today she celebrates another birthday. The obvious reason for celebration was the fact that Terri is still alive, despite relentless efforts by Terri's estranged husband, Michael Schiavo, to end her life.
"Another reason for celebration was that although the stay was lifted, there was no direct effect on the continuation of Terri's nutrition and hydration due to an earlier trial court decision protecting Terri from efforts to dehydrate and starve her into an early death," says Dana Cody, attorney with Life Legal Defense Foundation.
Video from the trial court file shows that Terri is conscious and interactive with her environment, although Michael Schiavo maintains she is in an unconscious state.
Also filed this week was the initial brief in the appeal by Terri's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, based on the Pope's recent statement on euthanasia. Although the trial court determined that the Pope's statement had no impact on Terri's case, Terri Schiavo is a practicing Catholic. Terri's priest, Monsignor Malanowski, submitted an affidavit testifying to Terri's faith.
Life Legal Defense Foundation continues to provide funding for Terri's parents in this case, along with Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund.
Life Legal Defense Foundation, was established in 1989, and is a non-profit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens, committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information, call Dana Cody at 916.727.4396. End