For Immediate Release:
Contact: Stephen Drake or Diane Coleman
(708)209-1500, exts. 29 & 11
Schiavo Autopsy Leaves Most Important Questions
Unanswered
(Forest Park, IL) Today's release of findings in the autopsy of
Terri Schiavo leave the central issues in her life
and death unanswered,
says a national disability rights group.
For example, contrary to articles stating the autopsy report
"supported"
the diagnosis of "persistent vegetative state (PVS)," a
neuropathology
expert today was careful to say that PVS is a clinical diagnosis rather
than a pathological one. He added that nothing in the autopsy was
"inconsistent" with a PVS diagnosis.
The real elephant in the living room, of course, is whether or not we can
really know how conscious anyone labeled "PVS" really is.
Several
studies have revealed high misdiagnosis rates, with conscious people
being mistakenly regarded as totally and irrevocably unaware.
The autopsy also documented significant brain atrophy, and the medical
panel called the damage "irreversible."
This is not the same as saying she had no cognitive ability.
"It's always seemed to us that PVS isn't really a diagnosis; it's a value
judgment masquerading as a diagnosis," said Stephen Drake, research
analyst for Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights group that filed
three amicus briefs in the case. "When it comes to the hard science,
no qualified pathologist went on the record saying she couldn't think
or couldn't experience her own death through dehydration."
Diane Coleman, president and founder of Not Dead Yet, agreed. "The
core issues remain the same. Protection of the life and
dignity of
people under guardianship, and a high standard of proof in removing
food and water from a person who can not express their own wishes.
These are issues of great concern to the disability community -
evidenced by the 26 national disability groups that spoke out in favor
of saving Terri Schiavo's life over the past few
years."
Not Dead Yet is a national disability rights group based in
It organizes and leads other disability organizations in opposing
legalization of assisted suicide, euthanasia and other forms of
medical killing.
Not Dead Yet
7521
708-209-1500
http://www.notdeadyet.org
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