Terri Schiavo showing signs of dehydration

Over the past week there has been a huge debate in America over the Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) condition of a 41-year old housewife, Terri Schiavo. Her husband would like to discontinue any treatment and stop her from being fed while her parents disagree that she is in PVS and continue to fight to keep her alive. The case has been referred all the way to the Supremes, but was turned down by them. Over 70% of the people polled feel that she should be allowed to die with equanimity while the right-wing right-to-live activists continue the legal circus to the delight of the media. There is increasing pressure on Jeb Bush, the governor of Florida to intervene, but he claims to have done all he could in this case. Doctors report that Terri is showing signs of dehydration and some speculate that it will be a week before her body gives up.

15 years, wow that’s a long time to be lying comatose and for her loved ones around her. I cannot imagine what they must be going through every day, with the knowledge that someone that they love so dearly, lies is a hospice, being helped by a machine. In their minds, have they resigned to the eventuality or do they deep down still hope that Terri will jump out of her state one day and continue from where she had left off ? For 15 years their emotions must have undergone a roller-coaster ride, alternating between hopes and despair. When does life cease to become life ? I wonder...