Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
Florida Woman's Feeding Tube Removed After Much Protest
Aired October 18, 2003 - 14:26 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.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: In Florida, the life and death battle over Terri Schiavo. The woman who has been in a coma-like state for 13 years had her feeding tube removed earlier this week at her husband's request. The parents strongly opposed the move that will lead to their daughter's death within days. Let's bring in now Bay News 9 reporter Tony Arranaga, in the Tampa Bay town, Pinellas Park.
Tony, I understand that the sister spoke out today. Is that correct?
TONY ARRANAGA, PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA: That's right, Andrea. The parents of Terri Schiavo came out to talk to supporters here at the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, urging Governor Jeb Bush to step in. Now, Terri Schiavo has been severely brain damaged and has been on a feeding tube since 1990.
Her husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, says Terri would not want to live like this. However, her parents say that with proper therapy Terri could recover. Let's listen to what Terri Schiavo's sister had to say a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terri has now been without food and water for three full days, and time is running out. Governor Bush, you know you have the authority to intervene on Terri's behalf, and yet you haven't. We would hope that a human life means more to you than Republican politics or even bad press.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARRANAGA: Now, there's also a group out here called Not Dead Yet. They say they're going to take this to Washington, D.C. and protest in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. Also today, there's going to be a group of doctors that are going to be meeting here at the hospice where Terri Schiavo is being cared for right now. They're going to refute the claims that dying the way that she is dying is not painless. In fact, they say that it is painful.
There have been reports in local papers that said that removing her feeding tubes would be painless. Back to you.
KOPPEL: An incredibly painful story, I think, for all involved. Tony Arranaga , thank you for joining us from Pinellas Park, Florida.
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 18, 2003 - 14:26 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: In Florida, the life and death battle over Terri Schiavo. The woman who has been in a coma-like state for 13 years had her feeding tube removed earlier this week at her husband's request. The parents strongly opposed the move that will lead to their daughter's death within days. Let's bring in now Bay News 9 reporter Tony Arranaga, in the Tampa Bay town, Pinellas Park.
Tony, I understand that the sister spoke out today. Is that correct?
TONY ARRANAGA, PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA: That's right, Andrea. The parents of Terri Schiavo came out to talk to supporters here at the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, urging Governor Jeb Bush to step in. Now, Terri Schiavo has been severely brain damaged and has been on a feeding tube since 1990.
Her husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, says Terri would not want to live like this. However, her parents say that with proper therapy Terri could recover. Let's listen to what Terri Schiavo's sister had to say a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terri has now been without food and water for three full days, and time is running out. Governor Bush, you know you have the authority to intervene on Terri's behalf, and yet you haven't. We would hope that a human life means more to you than Republican politics or even bad press.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARRANAGA: Now, there's also a group out here called Not Dead Yet. They say they're going to take this to Washington, D.C. and protest in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. Also today, there's going to be a group of doctors that are going to be meeting here at the hospice where Terri Schiavo is being cared for right now. They're going to refute the claims that dying the way that she is dying is not painless. In fact, they say that it is painful.
There have been reports in local papers that said that removing her feeding tubes would be painless. Back to you.
KOPPEL: An incredibly painful story, I think, for all involved. Tony Arranaga , thank you for joining us from Pinellas Park, Florida.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
