‘Terri’s Day’ to mark disabled woman’s court-ordered death

Jan 9, 2009 / 02:49 am

Organizers are preparing to mark “Terri’s Day,” the fourth anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death, to commemorate the severely disabled woman who died from dehydration after a court order forced the removal of her feeding tube.

The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation and Priests for Life will observe March 31 as the “International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo, and All of Our Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters,” calling it Terri’s Day for short.

Terri’s Day was established last year with the stated purpose of fostering education, prayer, and activism regarding discrimination against the disabled. It also aims to advance advocacy for people in situations similar to those Schiavo and her family faced, a press release from the organizers states.

Suzanne Vitadamo, Terri's sister, and Bobby Schindler, her brother, spoke on behalf of their family, saying:

“Sadly, our recent headlines are a clear indication that what happened to Terri is only getting worse. We are seeing that many of our institutions caring for our most vulnerable are being encouraged to devalue the sanctity of human life. Indeed, this is influenced by a very strong pro-death movement continuing to work very hard to legitimize euthanasia and assisted suicide.”

President of Priests for Life Father Frank Pavone, who had joined Schiavo’s siblings at her deathbed, added:

“As we consoled Terri and prayed with her, what I felt most strongly was the presence of countless people around the world who, by their love, prayers, and tears, accompanied Terri and her family through those difficult days. I am confident that these same individuals, families, and Churches will want to observe Terri's Day.”

The web site for Terri’s Day is located at www.TerrisDay.org.