This is an OK place, with some absolute guidelines.
Just a reminder to keep it friendly and not get too heated. I also don't want to see it get into who is right or wrong, right to life or death. It should remain based on what are the resources available only and on facts not feelings.
Also, this thread will be closed in 24 hours or earlier if it goes out of line before that. I don't want to (and won't moderate arguements; I will close them)
There are some allegations by the family and some of the caregivers that the husband has forbidden care that is normal nursing care for someone in Terri's condition (range of motion, keeping her wheelchair in repair so that she can be taken out of bed for a change of position/surroundings, even forbidding the curtains to be open in the room so she can get some variation of view).
This is basic care that is not connected with whether or not she is capable of making her wishes known, whether or not she is in a vegitative state. It's just part of the care that would be given.
If I as a nurse was being prevented from carrying out needed care by the patient's guardian, I would be required to file a report to the state department of social services to indicate that a vulnerable adult is in need of services that are being prevented from being given. Social Services would be required to investigate and (if the guardian was preventing care) the courts would determine whether the guardian should be replaced.
I have not seen anything in the news about whether any investigation has occurred. Some of the "talking head" lawyers have said that the parents have had a chance to challenge the husband as guardian, but from what I have heard, it appears the challenges have been before the same judge who appointed him as guardian in the first place. If these allegations have been investigated and found to be of no merit, that should be out there more in the news. If they have been investigated, that should be out in the open too.
But, I wanted to point out one of the process available (referral to Social Services) in every state.