Honoring Jahi and Charlie, fighting in their memory

Bobby Schindler Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network Dear Since the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network was established in 2005, among the thousands of families we have helped, there are two that have had a lasting impression: the cases of Jahi McMath and Charlie Gard. While Jahi and Charlie confronted distinct medical and cultural challenges, what they had in common was a needless denial of their parents’ right to care. Physicians, judges, and attorneys – who were strangers to their families – decided that ending the life of Jahi and Charlie was, perversely, in their “best interest”. Jahi_Nailah.jpg I was honored to meet both Jahi and Charlie and their parents, who heroically fought hostile doctors, lawyers and the courts, hellbent to end both Charlie and Jahi’s life. As any parent can imagine, the long battles for both of these extraordinary children took an emotional toll. It was heart wrenching to watch, and I only wish I could have done more than encourage the parents and provide hope in their fight for life. Jahi and Charlie, each in their own way, awoke the public to the encroaching threat of a powerful and an aggressive medical and legal bureaucracy that is not confined to any one state or nation. The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network confronts denial of care situations so that no one experiences a needless and inhumane death like Terri. It has been 15 years, and we have advocated for more than 3,000 patients and families walking alongside these families who are desperate to find help – like Charlie and Jahi. We cannot guarantee a life-affirming outcome for every patient and family, but we can always guarantee a fight for life. In many situations, we are able to play a critical role in obtaining life sustaining treatment, encouraging healthcare clinicians to consider more life-affirming approaches to difficult situations. Ultimately, only determined advocates, heroic families, and supportive communities can wage successful fights for life. The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network—thanks to supporters like you—is its own small community, with a sense of purpose and passion to protect the vulnerable, the weak and the fragile. Just like my sister, Terri, neither Charlie nor Jahi will be forgotten. Their lives were irreplaceable, though their circumstances were neither isolated nor unique. Hospitals will continue to routinely impose their decisions on patients and families without consent and this trend threatens our most basic right to life and protection from the state. In memory of Jahi and Charlie, and in memory of my sister, Terri, we are asking for your help so we can continue to fight for life and work to ensure that parents can get the care their loved ones need and deserve. A generous supporter has promised to match any donation up to $5,000 that we receive between now and the end of the year. What this simply means is that every contribution we received will be doubled. For example, if you were to donate $15, it would be worth $30, or if you were to give $75, it would be worth $150. So, a gift of $250, $100, $50, $25, or any donation you are able to make to the Life & Hope Network, will be matched up to $5,000! You can click here to make a donation today. We think of our supporters every day, knowing that if not for you, we would not be here to help others, so please know how grateful we are for your continued kindness. God bless you, Bobby Schindler President Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network · 222 N 17th St, Suite 1104, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States This email was sent to kmillerbloggerablogbyken@gmail.com. To stop receiving emails, click here. You can also keep up with Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network on Twitter or Facebook. Created with NationBuilder, software for leaders.