US News
Emilio's Extension, Schiavo's Sister Speaks
By Michael F. Haverluck
CBNNews.com
April 21, 2007
CBNNews.com - Judge Guy Herman allowed toddler Emilio Gonzales to continue receiving his life support treatment at least until May 8.
This decision came on April 17, giving attorneys for the Gonzales family and the hospital more time to prepare their cases to save or end Emilio's life.
Click play to view Catarina at the April 11 court proceeding.
Emilio's mother, Catarina, is still desperately trying to relocate outside of Texas. She is seeking to find a place where her 17-month-old can be treated without fear of having his life support unplugged.
Under the Texas Futile Care Law, hospitals are given the authority to cease life-support treatment of patients after giving families 10 days to find alternative care. Extensions are allowed if families have leads for alternative medical support.
Not out of the woods yet
Two years ago, Suzanne Vitadamo fought to keep her sister Terri Schiavo alive, but lost the battle. She has since joined the fight with families across America to save loved ones who are in danger of having their life support stopped against their wills.
Vitadamo, co-founder of the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, has been involved in helping the Gonzales family by working with their lead attorney Jerri Ward and Texas Right to Life to find a doctor and facility to care for Emilio.
"Emilio is not out of the woods yet," said Vitadamo regarding the extension the Gonzales' were given on April 10 to find a new medical facility for Emilio. "He is still in a very precarious position."
Vitadamo told CBN News that Ward pleaded with Judge Guy Herman to give the Gonzales family a chance to secure alternative medical care for Emilio.
"Jerri told him that she had leads, but needed more time," said Vitadamo.
"I worked with Ward on several 'futile' care cases, and she was successful in stopping the removal of life support in all of them," noted Vitadamo. "In one case, the patient was allowed to be given care from home."
This is what Vitadamo hopes will be the case for Emilio.
"He could possibly be cared for at home if he has a tracheotomy," said Vitadamo, who added that the operation would take away the need for Emilio's respirator.
Fighting for Emilio
What can be done to help keep Emilio alive?
When asked what Americans could do to help the Gonzales family, Vitadamo said, "If they know of a doctor and facility, that's what they desperately need now as they are looking to the grace of God." She would like to see "people calling hospitals across the country - even their personal physicians - there's got to be one out there."
Addressing the legal battle, Vitadamo said "Texas Right to Life has been working hard with the Futile Care Law; however, I'm not sure if anything will happen within one week."
Vitadamo said that possible changes to the Texas law could help by "extending the 10-day window or eliminating it altogether to allow families endless time for transfers."
Add your name to an online petition to keep the hospital from pulling the plug on Emilio by clicking here.
Vitadamo told CBN News that so far, no protests have been waged against the Brackenridge Children's Hospital's "ethics" committee. She noted that "It is good to stay on good terms with the hospital in order to facilitate a transfer," suggesting that there should be no hostilities.
Another way to be a voice for Emilio is by contacting Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Emilio is not alone
Are there other Emilios out there? Absolutely.
"Emilio's case is not unique, and similar cases are probably happening in Texas daily. They are happening across the country," explained Vitadamo. "Emilio got more attention because Catarina is standing up against the system."
She continued, "The Terri Schlindler Schiavo Foundation is contacted weekly about people being starved and dehydrated to death."
The battle has just begun
Who is winning the war concerning a patient's right to live?
According to Vitadamo, "Patient advocates are not winning the war. We need to continue the fight across the country, as we are not close to winning yet."
However, Vitadamo did say that there has been some progress since her sister's death two years ago.
"People are now speaking out more and can say they disagree," commented Vitadamo. "Families are more aware of the fact that doctors don't always know what's going on, and they can stand up more. In the past, people were more passive, but now they're more active."
One obstacle put in the way of patients' right to life came several years ago.
"Feeding tubes used to be called 'basic care,' but now, most states consider them artificial life support, making it more difficult for families to continue treatment," said Vitadamo, who believes that the fragility of one's life should not determine the quality or worth of one's life.
She told CBN News that Catarina and Terri Schiavo's parents are good examples to follow when fighting the system to save the lives of loved ones.
Pray for Emilio
After the latest extension, Texas Right to Life encouraged Americans to lift Emilio up in prayer.
"While God in His inscrutable ways is obviously at work here, please join us in prayer for Emilio's family, for all who are currently involved in Emilio's care and his transfer attempts, and most importantly, for Emilio's health. Additionally, please pray that all in our society will learn and remember that when one life, no matter how sick, small, or unloved is deemed futile, all human life is rendered valueless. Finally, please pray that all in the Pro-Life movement will be blessed with the courage to defend baby Emilio no matter what powers and principalities oppose us."
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