NEWS PROVIDED BY
Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network
May 23, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, May 23, 2019 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network is reacting to the news of the French courts intervening to resume Vincent Lambert's feeding tube. Vincent Lambert, the man known as the "Terri Schiavo of France," would have been forcibly killed by starvation and dehydration if not for the French courts last minute decision to restore his basic care.

Vincent Lambert experienced a brain injury in 2008 after a motorcycle accident. His wife and some siblings agreed with a doctor's recommendation that his life should end. But Vincent's parents and other siblings say he is showing progress and needs better treatment and therapy.

Earlier this week, the French health minister, Agnès Buzyn, ignored the request from the United Nations Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to continue Vincent's care while the UN conducted an investigation. Although this request was ignored by Buzyn, in a last-minute appeal, the court intervened to restore Vincent's food and water.

Bobby Schindler, President of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, and the brother of Terri Schiavo stated, "Vincent's parents are willing to take care of their son and they ought to have the right to do so. We support their efforts and strongly condemn any decision to deny Vincent his basic care."

Schindler added, "This case parallels my sister Terri's case in many ways. As in Terri's situation, we don't know Vincent's wishes, and his parents are fighting for his life, wanting to continue his care and therapy.

"Since Terri's death, there have been dramatic breakthroughs in the treatment of brain-injury and the promise of new technologies on the horizon. Moreover, there are documented cases in which brain-injured patients become capable of moderate levels of consciousness and actually regain some level of functionality if given the opportunity.

"Sadly, a growing number of laws put life and death treatment decisions in the hands of hospital boards, ethics committees and healthcare professionals. The mission behind the Life & Hope Network is to protect people in medically vulnerable situations who cannot advocate for themselves and raise the much needed awareness around this issue and the need for change."

Since 2005, the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network has responded to requests from upwards of 3,000 families, supporting them with advocacy, guidance and resources at no charge.

The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network upholds human dignity through service to the medically vulnerable. For more information, visit: lifeandhope.com.

SOURCE Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network

CONTACT: 855-300-4673, info@lifeandhope.com

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