This is an update from the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) in Washington, D.C., issued Wednesday March 25, 2005

The Terri Schindler Schiavo case serves as a warning that in America today, your child, your parent, and your spouse are in danger of being starved and dehydrated to death should they become disabled.

We must recognize that many doctors and judges are likely to believe we would be “better dead than disabled,” likely to believe that is what we would want, and likely to direct denial of food and fluids if we can’t speak for ourselves.

It is therefore vitally important for every member of your family who does not want to be starved to death to make those wishes clearly known. Every state has a law allowing you to state your intentions for food, fluids and life-saving medical treatment should you become unable to make health care decisions yourself, through a legal document most have heard of under the name “living will.” National Right to Life has prepared a pro-life living will, which we call the “Will to Live,” in the proper form for each state. All the state forms are available for download from the NRLC website. So is advice on filling them out, and information about dangers in the “living will” forms available from many other sources.

Help protect your family!

• Remember that Terri Schiavo was an apparently healthy young woman when she suddenly collapsed. None of us like to think about it, but whatever their age or condition, every member of your family is at risk.
• While state laws generally do not recognize legal documents signed by children under 18, it may be wise for those of your children who have reached the age of reason to fill out a Will to Live anyway. It may provide some evidence of their wishes that might help you fight for their lives.

VSHL is the Virginia affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.