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Jesse Jackson Joins Terri Schiavo Cause; Discussing Death

Aired March 29, 2005 - 15:00   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.


BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: At this hour, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is reacting to a new report released today that says there was not enough evidence to show that the U.N. secretary-general knew of contract bids by his son with his employer, Cotecna. Now, this is in relationship to the oil-for-food program. The report says that his son kept that information from Kofi Annan. But it does not show that he had any wrongdoing in that program. Of course, we'll continue to follow this.
Also in the news, the Reverend Jesse Jackson takes up the cause of Terri Schiavo's parents. Jackson calls on Florida lawmakers to act on what he says is one of the profound moral and ethical issues of our time. Just ahead, an update from Pinellas Park, Florida.

Another attempt to choose a speaker and seat a brand new Iraqi government, that falls short. The new interim Iraqi Assembly now hoping the third time is the charm, as it plans to try again this weekend to put that together.

And bound for Kabul. That is where first lady Laura Bush is headed on a quick trip to Afghanistan. The visit is intended to highlight advances for women in the country. The first lady will also meet with President Karzai and visit U.S. troops in the region.

MCI feels the urge to merge. Today, the company OK'ed a takeover bid by Verizon, but only after Verizon sweetened the pot. An initial Verizon bid was topped by rival long-distance company Qwest, but Verizon came back with a new offer that values MCI at $7.6 billion.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: First this hour, another powerful preacher in the Terri Schiavo case, Jesse Jackson this time, as the brain-damaged woman continues her slide toward death. The Reverend Jackson stood with the parents today and called what is occurring an injustice.

With the latest on the story, we go to Pinellas Park, Florida, and Bob Franken once again -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And, Miles, Reverend Jackson's been trying to lobby senators to reconsider legislation they refused to get involved in last week that would have possibly resulted in the feeding tube being reconnected.

Sources in Tallahassee tell us, however, that it may be a futile effort because the legislation would probably not clear the capitol until sometime next week. Nevertheless, somebody else who's become a familiar figure in this matter, the mother of Terri Schiavo, Mary Schindler, came out and made a plea.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARY SCHINDLER, MOTHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: I wanted to thank the Reverend Jesse Jackson for coming, giving us his support and supporting our family and praying with us. It was wonderful.

Second of all, I'd like to appeal to the Florida senators to please, please pass this new bill. Terri is still fighting. She's still alive. She's trying with all her might. She does not want to die. I'm begging them to please fight and give Terri a chance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Now, Reverend Jackson, who does not normally appear at the same events as the majority of the people here who would identify themselves as being from the religious right nevertheless said that this is a matter that transcends politics.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JESSE JACKSON, FOUNDER, RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION: Yesterday Mrs. Schindler and Bobby called me and asked me would I come and pray with them and be with them. And I was anxious to do so, because this is one of the profound moral, ethical issues of our time, the saving of Terri's life. And today, we -- we pray for a miracle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Now, as Reverend Jackson was speaking to the press, a man tried to race past police and get into the hospice. He was unsuccessful. The police were able to run him down at the door and throw him to the ground.

When he refused to put his hands behind his back, said an officer, they Tasered him. He was able to walk off under his own power. He's identified as Dow Pursley of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He will be charged with attempted burglary and resisting arrest.

Meanwhile, inside the hospice, Terri Schiavo rests. All agree that time is running out -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Bob Franken in Pinellas Park, thank you very much.

News across America now. In Minnesota, the tribal chairman of the Red Lake Indian Reservation defending his son, who's been arrested in connection with last week's school massacre, 10 killed in that, including 16-year-old Jeff Weise, who police say carried out the rampage before turning a gun on himself.

Floyd buck Jourdain says his son Louis is "a good boy with a good heart, who never harmed anyone in his entire life. I know my son, and he is incapable of committing such an act." That's the end of his quote.

An evidentiary hearing was held in Huntsville, Alabama today for bombing suspect Eric Rudolph. He goes on trial next month in the '98 bombing of an abortion clinic in Birmingham that killed an off-duty police officer, severely injured a nurse.

And Michael Jackson trial update for you, testimony today from the owner of a comedy club. Jamie Masada told jurors he helped raise money for Jackson's accuser when the boy was sick with cancer, promised to introduce him to Jackson and other celebrities.

NGUYEN: Former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker released another report today on the oil-for-food scandal at the U.N. In it, Volcker says Secretary-General Kofi Annan should have tried harder to determine the ties between a U.N. contractor and Annan's son, Kojo. But the report says Volcker found no proof that Kofi Annan had advance knowledge of a contract being awarded to a firm that was paying his son.

Bottom line, Volcker says he found nothing to implicate Kofi Annan. But, in the last few moments, the secretary-general addressed the report's contention that his son has failed to cooperate with the U.N. probe and may have deceived his father.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: I love my son and have always expected the highest standards of integrity from him. I am deeply saddened by the evidence to the contrary that has emerged and particularly by the fact that my son had failed to cooperate fully with the inquiry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now, Volcker's next report is expected to deal with the high-level U.N. diplomat accused of illegally profiting from the oil- for-food program.

Want to get you now to the latest on the Indonesian earthquake. Geologists say luck played a role in keeping yesterday's quake from creating killer waves. The epicenter was just 60 miles from the one that caused the devastating tsunamis back in December. And the earth ruptured in a different direction. The islands of Nias and Simeulue apparently took the brunt of the magnitude 8.5 quake. Indonesian officials say at least 330 people were killed in it. But they worry that that death toll may rise.

Unlike the December disaster, there has been no delay in getting help to those in need. Aid is already arriving in Indonesia.

O'BRIEN: Another big milestone for NASA as it sets its eyes toward flying space shuttles once again. The space shuttle Discovery moved out of its hangar in the wee hours this morning while you were probably sleeping. This was a little after 2:00 in the morning, when Discovery left its hangar, where it has been for some years now, on its way to the cavernous vehicle assembly building, where, within fairly short order, its nose will be pointing in the direction of space.

Lots of big changes, of course, on the space shuttle design and NASA's thinking about the way it flies it. Of course, this all goes back to the February 1 loss of Columbia and her crew of seven. Take a look at the pictures of the launch of Columbia, middle of January, before that accident.

And you'll recall, of course, the key here was the flying foam coming off that orange external fuel tank and ultimately striking the leading edge of the shuttle's wing on the left-hand side. A lot of changes have occurred. For one thing, they have totally reevaluated the way they spray the foam on this particular tank. And they have also changed the way, most important, that it is attached to this so- called area, the bipod.

Let's take a look at a test that was done sometime later, video of the test. NASA thought that that foam hitting the leading edge of the wing would cause no damage. But take a look at this test. Well, that's not the right one. There you go. That gives you a sense of it a little bit. But we -- there's a more dramatic one that shows actually the leading edge of that wing being completely breached, causing a rather gaping hole, which ultimately led to the demise of Columbia.

Now, back to the model here, they've changed the way they put on the insulating foam on this tank, especially in this area here, where the big piece came off. This is the very fragile leading edge of the wing and the thermal protection area. There's a whole series of sensors that have been placed in here. So the crew and people on the ground will have some idea if something happens to it.

In addition, a new boom has been attached to the robotic arm of the space shuttle Discovery, which will allow the crew to do a thorough inspection of all those tiles and heat shields once Discovery makes it to orbit. As it stands right now, NASA would like to aim for a mid-May launch. Right now, they don't have a lot of margin for error, and they're pushing that schedule. We will see as things progress if they can meet that date.

NGUYEN: Well, a lot of people will be watching very closely for that one.

O'BRIEN: We hope, yes.

NGUYEN: Well, we do have a check of the markets. That is ahead.

Also, talking about death. With the news of the struggle over Terri Schiavo dominating the headlines, an expert gives us advice on how to talk to your children about these difficult issues. That's next.

O'BRIEN: And later, dying with dignity. With his family by his bedside, one man waits for death with strength and courage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: With the Terri Schiavo case dominating the headlines lately, there's been a lot of talk about pain, suffering and death, difficult issues for many adults, but they can be downright disturbing for children.

An expert joins us now with advice about how you can talk to your kids about this case. Child development educator Gail Gross is in Houston. She joins now.

Thanks for being with us, Dr. Gross.

DR. GAIL GROSS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATOR: Oh, thanks, Betty, for having me.

NGUYEN: Sure.

Well, you know, the Schiavo case has sparked a lot of discussion, especially about living wills. Now, those details can really be frightening for children. So how do you begin the discussion about death when it comes to talking to your kids?

GROSS: You know, everything is about age and knowing the history of your child, so, you have to know your child. If there's been any anxiety in their personality, if they've had any injuries like incest or divorce our abuse, then they're going to be more anxious. If they're young, you want to give age-appropriate information. You want to give information that's authentic. You don't want to burden your children with your own fears.

It's very important when you talk to your children, if you can't handle it, you go to a counselor first and find out what your issues are. And when you sit down with your children, listen to them first. Sometimes, we give too much information and children aren't ready for it.

NGUYEN: So, you say the No. 1 thing is -- at least No. 1 on this list -- be age-specific, make sure it's age-appropriate, I guess I should say, because it's very different when you speak to a 12-year- old about death than when you speak to a 5-year-old.

GROSS: Exactly.

And you know, Betty, it's age-appropriate information and authentic information. And the other piece is to know where children are in the scope of their age group. Younger children are very egocentric. They can't cognitively reflect. So, these children often think everything is happening to them. It's going to happen to them next, they're going to die, and they become very fearful.

Older children act very aggressively when they're frightened. So, it's very important to know your child, where they are in time, and give them information that they can handle. But it is important to remember that children take their cue from their parents. So, you don't want to burden them with your problems.

NGUYEN: No, but you want to be honest with them.

GROSS: Always honest.

NGUYEN: So should you get into that discussion, if mom and dad die this is who is going to take care of you, or is that just too much?

GROSS: Well, again, it depends on the age of your child. An older child, 10 up, is really entering more abstract thinking. They can think that way. Younger children really don't really understand that. They can't think reflectively.

So, you just give them enough information that sets the stage for later information. They see pets die. They see sometimes siblings die. Children experience loss. So, it's not what they're experiencing. It's that they'll take their cue from you. If you're calm and matter of fact, communication is the key. Parents that talk to their children always do better, and their children always do better.

So, the other thing is to look for signs of stress. If you're speaking to your children and they're getting frightened or you notice a change in the way they eat or they sleep or their schoolwork, then it's important to look for outside help and counseling. And the other piece is that we're sort of going through a collective grief, like our own passion play right now in this situation. So, I think it's important that children -- that parents monitor their media and see what they're seeing and correct inaccuracies and remember that, when children see things over and over again, younger children think it's really happening, and we see chemical changes in the brain.

And they get things like post-traumatic stress. So...

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: So you want to monitor your children. So let's go through...

(CROSSTALK)

GROSS: Important to monitor their media.

NGUYEN: Exactly.

Very quickly, give age-appropriate information. You also don't want to give out too much information. But the key here is to be honest with your children.

Dr. Gross, we appreciate your time and all the information you've provided for us today. Thank you.

GROSS: Betty, thank you. One more thing.

NGUYEN: Sure.

GROSS: Take this opportunity to reconnect with your family. And that makes them most secure, reading, cuddling, night lights, walks. I mean, it's an opportunity to get back to basics.

NGUYEN: Spend time with the family. All right, Dr. Gross, thank you.

GROSS: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: And turn off the darn TV. That's probably not the advice you want to get from me.

NGUYEN: But not when we're on.

O'BRIEN: Yes, right, of course. That goes without saying.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: But, tonight, with the kids, turn it off.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: All right, ahead on LIVE FROM, in the midst of the Terri Schiavo controversy one dying man offers his view of life and death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED DAVIS, CANCER PATIENT: We're not supposed to live forever. And if you're living on artificial means, you're not really living. You're just existing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Still to come, saying goodbye when the time has come. It's a piece you really want to see.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: While the nation debated the Schiavo case, a family in suburban Atlanta was quietly making its own decisions about life and death.

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen spent some time with them while they learned perhaps the most precious lesson of all, how to die.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An ordinary home in an ordinary American neighborhood. Ed Davis is dying. It's clear the end is near. And so, this past Friday, Ed's children and grandchildren came to say goodbye. They let us share these intimate moments because they wanted to be an example of how to die with love and with dignity.

DAVIS: I'm not concerned about the cancer. I'm not concerned about dying.

COHEN: Cancer was diagnosed just a month ago, so advanced that Ed's surgeons could offer no help.

DAVIS: It was in my liver and my pancreas and also many other part of the body. COHEN: Doctors offered chemotherapy and dialysis for his ailing kidneys, but they made it clear, these treatments would not buy Ed Davis much time. And what little he would have would be unpleasant. So, Ed said no.

DAVIS: We're supposed to die. We're not supposed to live forever. And if you're living on artificial means, you're not really living. You're just existing.

COHEN: Ed Davis has spent his 84 years a happy man. He's had the love of his wife, Chris (ph), and their three sons and their families. He chose to live the last remaining days at home, with care from hospice and love from his family and friends. As a man of faith, he wanted one thing, to spend one last Sunday in church.

DAVIS: I just got to thinking if I might not ever get to go to church again. And I would like to have that last time.

COHEN: But one last Sunday in church seemed pretty unlikely last Friday. The family took turns sitting by his side feeding him, thanking him for his love and hoping he'd get that one last wish.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You just be your sweet, lovable self, and everything will be fine.

COHEN: Over the weekend, the Davises talked about old times. They've been married for 61 years.

DAVIS: She's a country girl for sure. I had to put shoes on her when we got married.

(LAUGHTER)

COHEN: For most of the weekend, the family told stories, while they laughed and shared their love.

DAVIS: I don't have a thing to worry about with this girl. She's going to be a fine woman.

COHEN: But Saturday was rough for the Davises.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We really weren't sure he was even going to make it through the night.

COHEN: But he did. And, on Easter Sunday, his last wish came true.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There we go.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (singing): I will worship with all of my heart.

COHEN: Mr. Davis took communion, his faith steady, an example of grace and dignity.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Father, God, we're so thankful for Ed, and, Lord, his courageous witness for you.

COHEN (on camera): Mr. Davis, you said you really wanted to go to church. Now you've been. How do you feel?

DAVIS: I feel fulfilled.

COHEN: Fulfilled by the love of his family and by living out his last few days exactly as he wanted.

DAVIS: It's not hard to make a decision like this when you're 84 years old, lived a good life and raised your family. Of course, it's not always easy to leave, but we have to do that. We cry like this when we go on a trip, so that's where I'm going, is on a trip. I'm going to take the rest of my life and be with the lord in heaven.

COHEN: Ed Davis died Sunday night, just hours after we spoke, surrounded by his family in his own home at peace.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, Tucker, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: That wraps up the Tuesday edition of LIVE FROM.

NGUYEN: Boy, how time flies.

O'BRIEN: It just went by, didn't it?

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Aired March 29, 2005 - 15:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: At this hour, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is reacting to a new report released today that says there was not enough evidence to show that the U.N. secretary-general knew of contract bids by his son with his employer, Cotecna. Now, this is in relationship to the oil-for-food program. The report says that his son kept that information from Kofi Annan. But it does not show that he had any wrongdoing in that program. Of course, we'll continue to follow this.
Also in the news, the Reverend Jesse Jackson takes up the cause of Terri Schiavo's parents. Jackson calls on Florida lawmakers to act on what he says is one of the profound moral and ethical issues of our time. Just ahead, an update from Pinellas Park, Florida.

Another attempt to choose a speaker and seat a brand new Iraqi government, that falls short. The new interim Iraqi Assembly now hoping the third time is the charm, as it plans to try again this weekend to put that together.

And bound for Kabul. That is where first lady Laura Bush is headed on a quick trip to Afghanistan. The visit is intended to highlight advances for women in the country. The first lady will also meet with President Karzai and visit U.S. troops in the region.

MCI feels the urge to merge. Today, the company OK'ed a takeover bid by Verizon, but only after Verizon sweetened the pot. An initial Verizon bid was topped by rival long-distance company Qwest, but Verizon came back with a new offer that values MCI at $7.6 billion.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: First this hour, another powerful preacher in the Terri Schiavo case, Jesse Jackson this time, as the brain-damaged woman continues her slide toward death. The Reverend Jackson stood with the parents today and called what is occurring an injustice.

With the latest on the story, we go to Pinellas Park, Florida, and Bob Franken once again -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And, Miles, Reverend Jackson's been trying to lobby senators to reconsider legislation they refused to get involved in last week that would have possibly resulted in the feeding tube being reconnected.

Sources in Tallahassee tell us, however, that it may be a futile effort because the legislation would probably not clear the capitol until sometime next week. Nevertheless, somebody else who's become a familiar figure in this matter, the mother of Terri Schiavo, Mary Schindler, came out and made a plea.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARY SCHINDLER, MOTHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: I wanted to thank the Reverend Jesse Jackson for coming, giving us his support and supporting our family and praying with us. It was wonderful.

Second of all, I'd like to appeal to the Florida senators to please, please pass this new bill. Terri is still fighting. She's still alive. She's trying with all her might. She does not want to die. I'm begging them to please fight and give Terri a chance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Now, Reverend Jackson, who does not normally appear at the same events as the majority of the people here who would identify themselves as being from the religious right nevertheless said that this is a matter that transcends politics.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JESSE JACKSON, FOUNDER, RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION: Yesterday Mrs. Schindler and Bobby called me and asked me would I come and pray with them and be with them. And I was anxious to do so, because this is one of the profound moral, ethical issues of our time, the saving of Terri's life. And today, we -- we pray for a miracle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Now, as Reverend Jackson was speaking to the press, a man tried to race past police and get into the hospice. He was unsuccessful. The police were able to run him down at the door and throw him to the ground.

When he refused to put his hands behind his back, said an officer, they Tasered him. He was able to walk off under his own power. He's identified as Dow Pursley of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He will be charged with attempted burglary and resisting arrest.

Meanwhile, inside the hospice, Terri Schiavo rests. All agree that time is running out -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Bob Franken in Pinellas Park, thank you very much.

News across America now. In Minnesota, the tribal chairman of the Red Lake Indian Reservation defending his son, who's been arrested in connection with last week's school massacre, 10 killed in that, including 16-year-old Jeff Weise, who police say carried out the rampage before turning a gun on himself.

Floyd buck Jourdain says his son Louis is "a good boy with a good heart, who never harmed anyone in his entire life. I know my son, and he is incapable of committing such an act." That's the end of his quote.

An evidentiary hearing was held in Huntsville, Alabama today for bombing suspect Eric Rudolph. He goes on trial next month in the '98 bombing of an abortion clinic in Birmingham that killed an off-duty police officer, severely injured a nurse.

And Michael Jackson trial update for you, testimony today from the owner of a comedy club. Jamie Masada told jurors he helped raise money for Jackson's accuser when the boy was sick with cancer, promised to introduce him to Jackson and other celebrities.

NGUYEN: Former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker released another report today on the oil-for-food scandal at the U.N. In it, Volcker says Secretary-General Kofi Annan should have tried harder to determine the ties between a U.N. contractor and Annan's son, Kojo. But the report says Volcker found no proof that Kofi Annan had advance knowledge of a contract being awarded to a firm that was paying his son.

Bottom line, Volcker says he found nothing to implicate Kofi Annan. But, in the last few moments, the secretary-general addressed the report's contention that his son has failed to cooperate with the U.N. probe and may have deceived his father.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: I love my son and have always expected the highest standards of integrity from him. I am deeply saddened by the evidence to the contrary that has emerged and particularly by the fact that my son had failed to cooperate fully with the inquiry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now, Volcker's next report is expected to deal with the high-level U.N. diplomat accused of illegally profiting from the oil- for-food program.

Want to get you now to the latest on the Indonesian earthquake. Geologists say luck played a role in keeping yesterday's quake from creating killer waves. The epicenter was just 60 miles from the one that caused the devastating tsunamis back in December. And the earth ruptured in a different direction. The islands of Nias and Simeulue apparently took the brunt of the magnitude 8.5 quake. Indonesian officials say at least 330 people were killed in it. But they worry that that death toll may rise.

Unlike the December disaster, there has been no delay in getting help to those in need. Aid is already arriving in Indonesia.

O'BRIEN: Another big milestone for NASA as it sets its eyes toward flying space shuttles once again. The space shuttle Discovery moved out of its hangar in the wee hours this morning while you were probably sleeping. This was a little after 2:00 in the morning, when Discovery left its hangar, where it has been for some years now, on its way to the cavernous vehicle assembly building, where, within fairly short order, its nose will be pointing in the direction of space.

Lots of big changes, of course, on the space shuttle design and NASA's thinking about the way it flies it. Of course, this all goes back to the February 1 loss of Columbia and her crew of seven. Take a look at the pictures of the launch of Columbia, middle of January, before that accident.

And you'll recall, of course, the key here was the flying foam coming off that orange external fuel tank and ultimately striking the leading edge of the shuttle's wing on the left-hand side. A lot of changes have occurred. For one thing, they have totally reevaluated the way they spray the foam on this particular tank. And they have also changed the way, most important, that it is attached to this so- called area, the bipod.

Let's take a look at a test that was done sometime later, video of the test. NASA thought that that foam hitting the leading edge of the wing would cause no damage. But take a look at this test. Well, that's not the right one. There you go. That gives you a sense of it a little bit. But we -- there's a more dramatic one that shows actually the leading edge of that wing being completely breached, causing a rather gaping hole, which ultimately led to the demise of Columbia.

Now, back to the model here, they've changed the way they put on the insulating foam on this tank, especially in this area here, where the big piece came off. This is the very fragile leading edge of the wing and the thermal protection area. There's a whole series of sensors that have been placed in here. So the crew and people on the ground will have some idea if something happens to it.

In addition, a new boom has been attached to the robotic arm of the space shuttle Discovery, which will allow the crew to do a thorough inspection of all those tiles and heat shields once Discovery makes it to orbit. As it stands right now, NASA would like to aim for a mid-May launch. Right now, they don't have a lot of margin for error, and they're pushing that schedule. We will see as things progress if they can meet that date.

NGUYEN: Well, a lot of people will be watching very closely for that one.

O'BRIEN: We hope, yes.

NGUYEN: Well, we do have a check of the markets. That is ahead.

Also, talking about death. With the news of the struggle over Terri Schiavo dominating the headlines, an expert gives us advice on how to talk to your children about these difficult issues. That's next.

O'BRIEN: And later, dying with dignity. With his family by his bedside, one man waits for death with strength and courage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: With the Terri Schiavo case dominating the headlines lately, there's been a lot of talk about pain, suffering and death, difficult issues for many adults, but they can be downright disturbing for children.

An expert joins us now with advice about how you can talk to your kids about this case. Child development educator Gail Gross is in Houston. She joins now.

Thanks for being with us, Dr. Gross.

DR. GAIL GROSS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATOR: Oh, thanks, Betty, for having me.

NGUYEN: Sure.

Well, you know, the Schiavo case has sparked a lot of discussion, especially about living wills. Now, those details can really be frightening for children. So how do you begin the discussion about death when it comes to talking to your kids?

GROSS: You know, everything is about age and knowing the history of your child, so, you have to know your child. If there's been any anxiety in their personality, if they've had any injuries like incest or divorce our abuse, then they're going to be more anxious. If they're young, you want to give age-appropriate information. You want to give information that's authentic. You don't want to burden your children with your own fears.

It's very important when you talk to your children, if you can't handle it, you go to a counselor first and find out what your issues are. And when you sit down with your children, listen to them first. Sometimes, we give too much information and children aren't ready for it.

NGUYEN: So, you say the No. 1 thing is -- at least No. 1 on this list -- be age-specific, make sure it's age-appropriate, I guess I should say, because it's very different when you speak to a 12-year- old about death than when you speak to a 5-year-old.

GROSS: Exactly.

And you know, Betty, it's age-appropriate information and authentic information. And the other piece is to know where children are in the scope of their age group. Younger children are very egocentric. They can't cognitively reflect. So, these children often think everything is happening to them. It's going to happen to them next, they're going to die, and they become very fearful.

Older children act very aggressively when they're frightened. So, it's very important to know your child, where they are in time, and give them information that they can handle. But it is important to remember that children take their cue from their parents. So, you don't want to burden them with your problems.

NGUYEN: No, but you want to be honest with them.

GROSS: Always honest.

NGUYEN: So should you get into that discussion, if mom and dad die this is who is going to take care of you, or is that just too much?

GROSS: Well, again, it depends on the age of your child. An older child, 10 up, is really entering more abstract thinking. They can think that way. Younger children really don't really understand that. They can't think reflectively.

So, you just give them enough information that sets the stage for later information. They see pets die. They see sometimes siblings die. Children experience loss. So, it's not what they're experiencing. It's that they'll take their cue from you. If you're calm and matter of fact, communication is the key. Parents that talk to their children always do better, and their children always do better.

So, the other thing is to look for signs of stress. If you're speaking to your children and they're getting frightened or you notice a change in the way they eat or they sleep or their schoolwork, then it's important to look for outside help and counseling. And the other piece is that we're sort of going through a collective grief, like our own passion play right now in this situation. So, I think it's important that children -- that parents monitor their media and see what they're seeing and correct inaccuracies and remember that, when children see things over and over again, younger children think it's really happening, and we see chemical changes in the brain.

And they get things like post-traumatic stress. So...

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: So you want to monitor your children. So let's go through...

(CROSSTALK)

GROSS: Important to monitor their media.

NGUYEN: Exactly.

Very quickly, give age-appropriate information. You also don't want to give out too much information. But the key here is to be honest with your children.

Dr. Gross, we appreciate your time and all the information you've provided for us today. Thank you.

GROSS: Betty, thank you. One more thing.

NGUYEN: Sure.

GROSS: Take this opportunity to reconnect with your family. And that makes them most secure, reading, cuddling, night lights, walks. I mean, it's an opportunity to get back to basics.

NGUYEN: Spend time with the family. All right, Dr. Gross, thank you.

GROSS: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: And turn off the darn TV. That's probably not the advice you want to get from me.

NGUYEN: But not when we're on.

O'BRIEN: Yes, right, of course. That goes without saying.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: But, tonight, with the kids, turn it off.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: All right, ahead on LIVE FROM, in the midst of the Terri Schiavo controversy one dying man offers his view of life and death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED DAVIS, CANCER PATIENT: We're not supposed to live forever. And if you're living on artificial means, you're not really living. You're just existing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Still to come, saying goodbye when the time has come. It's a piece you really want to see.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: While the nation debated the Schiavo case, a family in suburban Atlanta was quietly making its own decisions about life and death.

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen spent some time with them while they learned perhaps the most precious lesson of all, how to die.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An ordinary home in an ordinary American neighborhood. Ed Davis is dying. It's clear the end is near. And so, this past Friday, Ed's children and grandchildren came to say goodbye. They let us share these intimate moments because they wanted to be an example of how to die with love and with dignity.

DAVIS: I'm not concerned about the cancer. I'm not concerned about dying.

COHEN: Cancer was diagnosed just a month ago, so advanced that Ed's surgeons could offer no help.

DAVIS: It was in my liver and my pancreas and also many other part of the body. COHEN: Doctors offered chemotherapy and dialysis for his ailing kidneys, but they made it clear, these treatments would not buy Ed Davis much time. And what little he would have would be unpleasant. So, Ed said no.

DAVIS: We're supposed to die. We're not supposed to live forever. And if you're living on artificial means, you're not really living. You're just existing.

COHEN: Ed Davis has spent his 84 years a happy man. He's had the love of his wife, Chris (ph), and their three sons and their families. He chose to live the last remaining days at home, with care from hospice and love from his family and friends. As a man of faith, he wanted one thing, to spend one last Sunday in church.

DAVIS: I just got to thinking if I might not ever get to go to church again. And I would like to have that last time.

COHEN: But one last Sunday in church seemed pretty unlikely last Friday. The family took turns sitting by his side feeding him, thanking him for his love and hoping he'd get that one last wish.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You just be your sweet, lovable self, and everything will be fine.

COHEN: Over the weekend, the Davises talked about old times. They've been married for 61 years.

DAVIS: She's a country girl for sure. I had to put shoes on her when we got married.

(LAUGHTER)

COHEN: For most of the weekend, the family told stories, while they laughed and shared their love.

DAVIS: I don't have a thing to worry about with this girl. She's going to be a fine woman.

COHEN: But Saturday was rough for the Davises.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We really weren't sure he was even going to make it through the night.

COHEN: But he did. And, on Easter Sunday, his last wish came true.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There we go.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (singing): I will worship with all of my heart.

COHEN: Mr. Davis took communion, his faith steady, an example of grace and dignity.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Father, God, we're so thankful for Ed, and, Lord, his courageous witness for you.

COHEN (on camera): Mr. Davis, you said you really wanted to go to church. Now you've been. How do you feel?

DAVIS: I feel fulfilled.

COHEN: Fulfilled by the love of his family and by living out his last few days exactly as he wanted.

DAVIS: It's not hard to make a decision like this when you're 84 years old, lived a good life and raised your family. Of course, it's not always easy to leave, but we have to do that. We cry like this when we go on a trip, so that's where I'm going, is on a trip. I'm going to take the rest of my life and be with the lord in heaven.

COHEN: Ed Davis died Sunday night, just hours after we spoke, surrounded by his family in his own home at peace.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, Tucker, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: That wraps up the Tuesday edition of LIVE FROM.

NGUYEN: Boy, how time flies.

O'BRIEN: It just went by, didn't it?

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