(Note: The author of this article has never
contacted Julie Kay Smithson or interviewed her. Any press release
crediting me with 'green plaid ribbons' is erroneous. In fact, Vickie
Barton, a disabled woman in Tennessee, first suggested the Terri Lights,
after I emailed Vickie and told her that I'd lighted two candelabras in
my front window and that they would remain lighted until Terri was safe
from Michael Schiavo and his cronies. So, the Terri Lights were Vickie
Barton's inspired idea. MomVickie3@aol.com
I have no idea who came up with the 'green plaid ribbons' idea.
The part of my website that honors Terri is: . http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/articles4/terrifrms.htm
Other sites are: http://heavenlyhands.net/terrislinks.html
)
November 20, 2003
By Joni B. Hannigan
St. Petersburg Beach, Florida (BP)--Green
plaid ribbons and a light in the window will remind people around the
world that Terri Schiavo, a 39-year-old disabled woman, is not yet out
of danger and faces death by starvation and dehydration if her husband
and guardian prevails in the Florida courts.
A family supporter, Julie Smithson, has initiated a movement being
called "Terri's Lights." The Ohio woman has encouraged those
who believe Terri has the right to live to display green plaid ribbons
and lights in their windows until Terri is safe from harm and can return
to the care of her family, according to a press release from the
Terri-Schindler-Schiavo Foundation.
Schiavo, the brain-damaged woman who collapsed in her home in 1990, is
at the center of a national "right-to-die" debate that is
being played out daily through court decisions and legal wrangling. The
Florida legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush intervened and halted her death by
starvation and dehydration Oct. 21, six days after her feeding tube had
been removed by a court order obtained by her husband and legal
guardian, Michael Schiavo.
Michael Schiavo continues to battle Bush and assert his wife's
"privacy rights" are being violated. Terri's parents, Bob and
Mary Schindler, contend Terri has not been given needed therapy and is
not in a "persistent vegetative state" as Michael's attorneys
have said -- and therefore her life is worth saving.
Supporters of the Terri's Lights initiative are urged to place green
plaid ribbons around their trees, to wear a green plaid ribbon on their
clothes and to place a light in their window until Terri is out of
danger.
There are some reports that Terri's Lights already are being displayed
throughout the United States and as far away as Australia -- where
pro-life advocates have asked what they could do to show their support.
"We are truly overwhelmed and grateful for the many thoughts and
prayers for Terri," said Mary Schindler, Terri's mother, in the
news release. "It helps to know that there are so many people who
recognize that Terri is merely a disabled woman who deserves to be given
a chance. We want desperately to continue to care for her and get her
the therapy she needs."
Joni B. Hannigan is managing editor at Florida Baptist Witness. For more
information on Terri's Lights and other information about the Schiavo
case go to www.terrisfight.org and to www.FloridaBaptistWitness.com.
http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=17135
Additional recommended reading and action items:
Volunteers who wish to take action can contact the
following Florida Agencies demanding that a full investigation be made
into allegations of abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult under
Florida Statute 415.104 (Protective investigations of cases of abuse,
neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults; transmittal of records to
state attorney.)
Suncoast Region - Adult Services Program
9393 N. Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33612-7907
813-558-5580
800-96-ABUSE - State Offices
State Attorney, McCabe Bernie
14250 49th St N
Clearwater, FL 33762-2800
727-464-6221
Pinellas County Sheriff's Department
Largo, FL 33770
727-588-6777