ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, a non-profit Terri's family established in her memory, wants to extend a heartfelt thanks to Kevin James for speaking on behalf of persons with brain injuries. In his new Amazon Prime stand-up comedy special "Irregardless," James asserts that only God should decide when life ends.
Bobby Schindler, president of the Life & Hope Network and Terri's brother, stated, "It is refreshing to hear someone in Hollywood speak on behalf of our medically defenseless, especially in this pro-death culture. Indeed, we have been desensitized to the dignity of those living with brain injures like Terri, the elderly, and others in medically vulnerable situations where choosing death is now the solution to treating these persons – a false and deceitful excuse for so-called 'compassion.' It is encouraging that in this cancel culture, a well-respected celebrity with an enormous fan base dares to speak the truth and that it should only be our Divine Creator who decides when a person's life ends."
Schindler concluded, "God bless Kevin James. I hope others appreciate his sympathetic words, defending and providing a much-needed voice for our vulnerable brothers and sisters. In the few minutes of the segment, James bravely highlighted a hot-button issue that most would have avoided in our highly charged political environment. For that, we should give him a standing ovation."
At the 13-minute mark of "Irregardless," James refers to a mother in a coma whose family decided to end their mother's life by removing her life support. However, after her life support was removed, the mother emerged from her coma. James continued the segment by making fun of the family's irresponsible decision, the dangers of the term "who would want to live that way," and "quality of life." James goes on to emphasize these terms as reasons that are being used to justify taking the lives of people in what seems like hopeless situations. James stresses that he wants his life continued if ever in a medically susceptible condition, insisting that God will determine when his life ends.
For those who do not remember, Terri Schiavo had a mysterious accident in 1990 at the age of 26 while at home with her husband, Michael Schiavo. She went several minutes without oxygen, resulting in brain injury. Terri was not in a coma, was not "brain dead," and did not need the assistance of any "machines" to live. However, she had difficulty swallowing and required a feeding tube for food and water. Sadly, after less than two years of caring for Terri, Michael, who was her legal guardian, became involved with another woman and successfully petitioned the court (with perjured testimony) for permission to deliberately kill Terri by having her feeding tube removed. Terri died an unjust and agonizing death by dehydration. It took almost two weeks. To learn more, visit terrischiavo.org.
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Since 2005, the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network has responded to requests from thousands of families, supporting them with advocacy, guidance, and resources at no charge. For more information, visit lifeandhope.com.
