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CNN Live Today

A Discussion With Terri Schiavo's Brother

Aired October 22, 2003 - 10:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We have a chance to talk with the family now. The governor's order is a tremendous victory for Terri Schiavo -- or actually for her family, yet one that carries no long- term assurances.
Joining us to describe the day-to-day ordeal of this long fight is her brother, Bob Schindler Jr.

Bob, good morning. Thanks for joining us.

BOB SCHLINDLER JR., BROTHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: Good morning. Thank you for having me.

KAGAN: We heard in that last report from John Zarrella that you and your family have not had a chance to see your sister yet, is that right?

SCHINDLER: Yes, I went down late last evening, probably close to 11:00 p.m. and went to try and go see my sister to she how she was doing, and I was informed by the hospital administrator that per Michael Schiavo, that no family member was admitted to seeing Terri.

KAGAN: So for the time being, you don't expect to be able to see her.

SCHINDLER: I'm sorry?

KAGAN: For the time being, it wasn't a matter of it being too late for visiting hours. Do you expect to be able to see her any time soon?

SCHINDLER: I certainly hope so. We are trying to get in touch with our attorneys to try and find out just what the situation is and when we will be allowed to go back and visit my sister.

KAGAN: And how much do you know of what her treatment is right now? We've been hearing that there's an IV for rehydration, but the feeding tube, it wouldn't be proper medical treatment to put that back in.

SCHINDLER: I'm really hearing the same thing that you're hearing. As I said, we'll hopefully talk to our attorneys soon and see just where we are on this.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of attorneys, there still could be a court challenge to this latest move by the governor. What's your family's reaction to that? SCHINDLER: Well, we expected that. We know -- it seems as though Michael's attorney is going to fight this in court, so we're just preparing for that, and hopefully the courts will go a little better for us and for Terri this time.

KAGAN: Your brother-in-law, Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, has put out a statement, and I just want to share that with our viewers, and he says that, "Some people do not agree with the decision the court made to remove this feeding tube. I struggle to accept it myself. But I know in my heart that it's right and it's what Terri wants. There's no longer any realistic hope Terri's recovery. How would you respond to that, Bob?

SCHINDLER: Well, we've said all along, our family, that these aren't Terri's wishes. These are Michael's wishes. There was a considerable amount of money that Michael would have inherited if Terri would have passed on when he first attempted to put Terri to death. And we believe that was initially Michael's motivation to collect close to a million dollars, and he also has a fiance who he's fathered a child, and we believe Michael has just moved on with his life, and all our family was asking, was give Terri back to us, we want to take care of her, and you can move on.

KAGAN: In terms of money issue, if in fact, you did have that opportunity and there was rehabilitation for your sister, where would that money come from?

SCHINDLER: Right now, I don't know. You know, I think one step at a time here. Right now, we're trying to get guardianship back, and then if we do, we will worry about rehabilitation later.

I do know for a fact there are many, many doctors, many neurologists, one locally here, Dr. Hemisphar (ph), who has said he will volunteer his efforts into helping rehabbing Terri if we do get guardianship back.

KAGAN: Well, one thing at a time, as you try to fight for your sister.

Thank you so much for being with us. I know this is a difficult time for you and your family. Bob Schindler Jr., Terri Schiavo's brother. Appreciate your time.

SCHINDLER: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 22, 2003 - 10:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We have a chance to talk with the family now. The governor's order is a tremendous victory for Terri Schiavo -- or actually for her family, yet one that carries no long- term assurances.
Joining us to describe the day-to-day ordeal of this long fight is her brother, Bob Schindler Jr.

Bob, good morning. Thanks for joining us.

BOB SCHLINDLER JR., BROTHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: Good morning. Thank you for having me.

KAGAN: We heard in that last report from John Zarrella that you and your family have not had a chance to see your sister yet, is that right?

SCHINDLER: Yes, I went down late last evening, probably close to 11:00 p.m. and went to try and go see my sister to she how she was doing, and I was informed by the hospital administrator that per Michael Schiavo, that no family member was admitted to seeing Terri.

KAGAN: So for the time being, you don't expect to be able to see her.

SCHINDLER: I'm sorry?

KAGAN: For the time being, it wasn't a matter of it being too late for visiting hours. Do you expect to be able to see her any time soon?

SCHINDLER: I certainly hope so. We are trying to get in touch with our attorneys to try and find out just what the situation is and when we will be allowed to go back and visit my sister.

KAGAN: And how much do you know of what her treatment is right now? We've been hearing that there's an IV for rehydration, but the feeding tube, it wouldn't be proper medical treatment to put that back in.

SCHINDLER: I'm really hearing the same thing that you're hearing. As I said, we'll hopefully talk to our attorneys soon and see just where we are on this.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of attorneys, there still could be a court challenge to this latest move by the governor. What's your family's reaction to that? SCHINDLER: Well, we expected that. We know -- it seems as though Michael's attorney is going to fight this in court, so we're just preparing for that, and hopefully the courts will go a little better for us and for Terri this time.

KAGAN: Your brother-in-law, Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, has put out a statement, and I just want to share that with our viewers, and he says that, "Some people do not agree with the decision the court made to remove this feeding tube. I struggle to accept it myself. But I know in my heart that it's right and it's what Terri wants. There's no longer any realistic hope Terri's recovery. How would you respond to that, Bob?

SCHINDLER: Well, we've said all along, our family, that these aren't Terri's wishes. These are Michael's wishes. There was a considerable amount of money that Michael would have inherited if Terri would have passed on when he first attempted to put Terri to death. And we believe that was initially Michael's motivation to collect close to a million dollars, and he also has a fiance who he's fathered a child, and we believe Michael has just moved on with his life, and all our family was asking, was give Terri back to us, we want to take care of her, and you can move on.

KAGAN: In terms of money issue, if in fact, you did have that opportunity and there was rehabilitation for your sister, where would that money come from?

SCHINDLER: Right now, I don't know. You know, I think one step at a time here. Right now, we're trying to get guardianship back, and then if we do, we will worry about rehabilitation later.

I do know for a fact there are many, many doctors, many neurologists, one locally here, Dr. Hemisphar (ph), who has said he will volunteer his efforts into helping rehabbing Terri if we do get guardianship back.

KAGAN: Well, one thing at a time, as you try to fight for your sister.

Thank you so much for being with us. I know this is a difficult time for you and your family. Bob Schindler Jr., Terri Schiavo's brother. Appreciate your time.

SCHINDLER: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com