24/03/2005

Schiavo’s parents appeal to Supreme Court

Terri Schiavo’s parents have asked the US Supreme Court to order the re-insertion of their severely brain-damaged daughter’s feeding tube.

The appeal by Bob and Mary Schindler came after Mrs Schiavo, 41, had her feeding tube removed last week when her husband Michael Schiavo won a court case in Florida. He told the court his wife told him she would not want to be kept alive artificially.

On Wednesday a federal appeals court refused the order for the tube to be reinserted and the Florida Legislature decided not to intervene.

Doctors believe Mrs Schiavo, who suffered severe brain damage in 1990, could survive for up to two weeks without her feeding tube before dying.

Governor Jeb Bush continued his support of the Schindlers, seeking court permission to take custody of Mrs Schiavo. A ruling on that request is expected later in the week.

Yesterday, a lawyer for Michael Schiavo said he was pleased by the appeals court decision, but he was bothered that the Governor was attempting to intervene again.

(CD/SP)

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