Hospice's promise when death is near

[Algorem]

Connie Schultz
There are 71 other patients at the Florida hospice where Terri Schiavo stays.

When their loved ones visit Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, they must bear not only the grief of their own mounting loss but the accusations -- some suggested, some shouted -- of strangers indifferent to their suffering.

Some protesters on the hospice lawn wear tape across their mouths bearing the word "life." Others hold signs reading "Death House" or "Killing House."

In one particularly gruesome scene reported last weekend by the Miami Herald, a protestor trucked in a 7-foot-tall cross bearing a heavily bleeding figure of Jesus...
http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/reallife/index.ssf?/base/living/1111660522151110.xml

[Demit]

1. That was a lovely column; much needed reminder. Thanks for posting.

"... The last weeks of life present a last chance to reflect, a final reach to mend. As caregivers, we often negotiate the tension of uncertainty between what the dying say they want and what we feel we can, and cannot, do.

That's what hospice is for, to help in those decisions that either will haunt or comfort us for the rest of our lives.

A residential hospice is a refuge for patients and their loved ones, a safe and gentle place where those trained to ease suffering help everyone involved work miracles large and small. Most of Terri Schiavo's fellow patients are at Woodside Hospice because their families could not care for them at home or they needed help with symptom management. Woodside is determined that they will get the help they need. ..."



Those poor other families, and their dying loved ones. What those circus freaks outside are also doing, in adding to their pain!

[watercolors]

2. What Jeb should be doing

is to have the police clear the area from the media and hysterical people. But he is somewhat braindead himself.