A nurse who took care of Terri in the 1990s is now speaking out (having been released from a gag order now that the matter is in the federal courts, I’m given to understand). Not only is the nurse forcefully stating that Terri is able to communicate and use certain words, she also states that Michael has refused any therapy for Terri and further:
Iyer was eventually fired by the home because of a disagreement with Michael where she claimed he injected her with insulin.
After one visit by Michael in Terri’s room for 20 minutes with the door shut, Iyer found Terri lethargic and "crying hysterically."
She checked Terri’s blood sugar levels and they were barely showing any reading on the glucometer, she told Fox News. She also saw a vial of "insulin concealed in the trash bin."
Iyer said there were needle marks [on several intimate places on Terri’s body].
She went to police with the details and then told administrators at the facility, who were upset she didn’t report to them first.
The affidavit that Nurse Iyer filed with Pinellas County, Florida (and which was dismissed) has now become public.
Excerpts:
To the best of my recollection, rehabilitation had been ordered for Terri, but I never saw any being done or had any reason at all to believe that there was ever any rehab of Terri done at Palm Gardens while I was there. I became concerned because nothing was being done for Terri at all, no antibiotics, no tests, no range of motion therapy, no stimulation, no nothing. Michael said again and again that Terri should NOT get any rehab, that there should be no range of motion whatsoever, or anything else. I and a CNA named Roxy would give Terri range of motion anyway. One time I put a wash cloth in Terri’s hand to keep her fingers from curling together, and Michael saw it and made me take it out, saying that was therapy.
Terri’s medical condition was systematically distorted and misrepresented. When I worked with her, she was alert and oriented. Terri spoke on a regular basis while in my presence, saying such things as “mommy,” and “help me.” “Help me” was, in fact, one of her most frequent utterances. I heard her say it hundreds of times. Terri would try to say the word “pain” when she was in discomfort, but it came out more like “pay.” She didn’t say the “n” sound very well. During her menses she would indicate her discomfort by saying “pay” and moving her arms toward her lower abdominal area. Other ways that she would indicate that she was in pain included pursing her lips, grimacing, thrashing in bed, curling her toes or moving her legs around. She would let you know when she had a bowel movement by flipping up the covers and pulling on her diaper.
I made numerous entries into the nursing notes in her chart, stating verbatim what she said and her various behaviors, but by my next on-duty shift, the notes would be deleted from her chart. Every time I made a positive entry about any responsiveness of Terri’s, someone would remove it after my shift ended. Michael always demanded to see her chart as soon as he arrived, and would take it in her room with him.
Throughout my time at Palm Gardens, Michael Schiavo was focused on Terri’s death. Michael would say “When is she going to die?,” “Has she died yet?” and “When is that b*tch gonna die?” These statements were common knowledge at Palm Gardens, as he would make them casually in passing, without regard even for who he was talking to, as long as it was a staff member. Other statements which I recall him making include “Can’t you do anything to accelerate her death – won’t she ever die?” When she wouldn’t die, Michael would be furious.
Any time Terri would be sick, like with a UTI or fluid buildup in her lungs, colds, pneumonia, Michael would be visibly excited, thrilled even, hoping that she would die. He would call me, as I was the nurse supervisor on the floor, and ask for every little detail about her temperature, blood pressure, etc., and would call back frequently asking if she was dead yet. He would blurt out “I’m going to be rich!,” and would talk about all the things he would buy when Terri died, which included a new car, a new boat, and going to Europe, among other things.
When Michael visited Terri, he always came alone and always had the door closed and locked while he was with Terri. He would typically be there about twenty minutes or so. When he left Terri would would be trembling, crying hysterically, and would be very pale and have cold sweats. It looked to me like Terri was having a hypoglycemic reaction, so I’d check her blood sugar. The glucometer reading would be so low it was below the range where it would register an actual number reading. I would put dextrose in Terri’s mouth to counteract it. This happened about five times on my shift as I recall. Normally Terri’s blood sugar levels were very stable due to the uniformity of her diet through tube feeding. It is my belief that Michael injected Terri with Regular insulin, which is very fast acting.
I have been following Terri’s ‘story’ for the last two years , since a kind American friend alerted me to the furore surrounding the feeding tube removal in 2003…I am disgusted that in the UK the media relay that Terri is in a PVS and air Michael Schiavo’s attempts to convey that his wife should die in ‘peace’…oh brother! NOTHING has been mentioned of the fact that he has a lover and children by another woman!
The more I read and hear about him, the more tormented I feel by emotions of anger and injustice…the only balm to me is that I know that he will be judged by the Almighty God…if you are not pro life, you are pro death, and Our God, is a God of love and of life…I have prayed for Michael and for those who work to bring Terri’s life to an end, I will continue to do so…but my, they have hearts of stone.
God Bless.
I understand that there is a tendency to believe the worst about Mr. Schiavo, but I would suggest that everyone read the Guardian Ad Litem report prepared in late 2003, which shows among other things the rehabilitation that was tried with Terri and the reasons why she is likely in PVS.
I don’t agree with what Mr. Schiavo is trying to do, but whether all these people now attacking him are credible, I have my doubts. For example, where is this “gag order” that prevented this woman from talking? Such orders are rare and generally not entered in civil cases.
Two other nurses have come forward alleging abuse by Michael Schiavo:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/22/235813.shtml
This is all old news, that I first read on the internet a couple of years ago, around the last time that Terri’s feeding tube was pulled. Why is the mainstream media so slow in picking this up? For that matter, it seems like even the conservative media has been surprisingly slow on picking up this story (and similar stories regarding Michael’s alleged mistreatment of Terri).
There was no gag order. Media Matters, an admittedly left-wing website, has examined her story, and points out (at http://mediamatters.org/items/200503230001) that Judge Greer, who dismissed her story as “incredible,” also noted that the Schindlers, who had been contacted repeatedly by Iyer, chose not to call her in the 2003 custody trial. That’s the trial for which Iyer offered the sworn affidavit. Here’s Judge Greer’s order in that case, which dismisses Iyer’s affidavit: http://abstractappeal.com/schiavo/trialctorder0903.pdf
I echo Steve’s comments: Read the Guardian ad Litem report, available at http://www.nationalreview.com/pdf/SchiavoFinalReport.pdf. Make your arguments based on fact, not emotion. And pray for the soul of Terri Schiavo. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 146(145): “Put not your trust in princes: in the children of men, in whom there is no salvation.”
Just one note, to clear up any potential confusion: The Schindlers chose not to call Iyer to the January 2000 evidentiary hearing, which was the basis for the trial that ended in September 2003. So, over the course of four years of legal battles, despite having been contacted by Iyer (according to Iyer’s affidavit), the Schindlers chose not to give credence to testimony that FOX, CNN, bloggers, and evangelical radio stations around the country are now touting as new evidence in the case.
I am praying for Terri’s soul. And for her estranged husband’s, his lawyer’s & Judge Greer, as well. And I agree with the Psalmist whom you quote, Scott. I’m praying for God’s justice in this situation, & all situations like around the world. Perhaps I misunderstand your post; I’m not at all versed in the law re: these issues as are others who have posted here & on other blog posts/threads I’ve read. But, frankly, & I mean absolutely no disrespect, I don’t give one flying rip about some “Guardian ad Litem report” when a human being is being inhumanely starved to death in a state that has laws that prohibit such “euthanasia” for animals! I’m not thinking with my emotions but rationally from the point of view that human life is sacred & that all men & women are made in the image & likeness of God, endowed with an eternal soul, & that each should be – yes, even in our so-called “secular” society – treated with the respect & dignity due us all in light of these facts. As was pointed out on Amy Welborn’s blog, what’s the difference between Terri & a brain-damaged 6-month old? Do not both demand care & sustenance? Is Terri deserving of such a cruel & painful death by virtue of the fact that she’s 41 & has spent 15 years of her live in this condition? The ancient Romans bound the feet of those less desireable to their society & left them in a far-off field to die alone, exposed to the elements & predatory animals. Have we, as a society, descended so far into depravity that we’re practically the same, except we put folks in a nice, clean clinical facility & keep telling ourselves we’ve done all we can do & that such a death as is faced by Terri is “merciful”? Sorry, I don’t buy it. I’m clear-headed, rational, & in full control of my emotions re: Terri’s situation. I’ve heard all the arguements about why she should be starved in this manner & I simply don’t buy it. Some folks call it “compassion” – but they forget that the word comes from the Latin meaning “to suffer with.”
The loss of the Hippocratic oath was a serious blow to the medical profession & a disservice to those of us who are potential patients. Health care providers exist to preserve life & do so humanely, but that is not to say they should unnecessarily prolong death. If a person is in the end stages of a terminal disease, & they choose to stop all care except the palliative, then that’s OK, but it’s their decision & not the physician’s. Even then, sustenance – basic nutrition – should be provided until natural death. Up to this point, no one has been able to explain to me why a woman who is breathing on her own & has loving parents who desire to care for her at their expense should be starved to death. I see no mercy or compassion here. Speaking rationally, I see cruelty & malice.
I heard the nurse on the radio. If what she says is true, it’s horrendous. Is there any possibility that she salvaged the insulin bottle that she saw in the trash? If so, where is it?
ditto on what Gene says!
Excellent post Gene.
I think that sums up all of what reasonable people think. Last week on talk back here, most commentators were saying that Terri should be let to die, mainly because people were hearing that she is PVS, but disagreed that the courts should enforce her starvation.
However in the last few days as more of the facts have become known, most commentators are saying how bizzare it is that they are allowing a woman, who appears to be partly cognitive to be staved by court order, when the only one in Terri’s family and friends who want her dead is her unfaithfull husband.
Bizzare, merciless and inhumane.
Your courts and judges need a real overhaul.
That was me.
That is very disturbing. So many people have been led to believe the woman was not responsive at all. I can hardly believe it.
Soutcoast,
Am I really supposed to believe that Schiavo injects her and leaves the bottle in the trash can in the room?
You know what makes me the most upset? Prisoners who are up for exicution get an easier death than this. I am praying for Terri each day and for the souls of her Husband and his lawyers because that’s what Christ’s mercy is all about.
I think that is very false assumptions and very disturbing. Of course So many people have been led to believe the woman was not responsive at all.
I think that sums up all of what reasonable people think.