OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — A state judge has signed an order, requested by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney, to appoint a committee that will make recommendations on the health of Karen Weber. Weber is a stroke victim whose husband wants to have her feeding tube removed even though his wife made clear that she doesn’t desire to go to hospice and has communicated with family and friends.
“Everyone deserves a chance to recover. We are pleased the court signed the order for a team of evaluators to properly assess Karen’s true condition so that she can have a fair chance at life,” said ADF Senior Counsel Joe Infranco. “Not even death row inmates or animals are starved and dehydrated to death. How could anyone support that kind of treatment for a disabled person?”
Shortly after Weber suffered a stroke, her husband, Raymond Weber, attempted to have her declared incompetent so that her feeding tube could be removed. Her mother, Martha Tatro, filed suit on her behalf to save her daughter’s life. ADF-allied attorney Joseph Rodowicz got involved in the case after Tatro contacted ADF to legally assist her.
Karen has communicated with Rodowicz by blinking her eyes and using hand signals. She also communicates with family and staff by using her arms. A petition documenting this interaction is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/WeberPetition.pdf.
“Having some physical disabilities shouldn’t be a death sentence,” Rodowicz said. “She survived her stroke. She isn’t incompetent simply because someone else isn’t satisfied with how she is living. Moreover, she has plainly expressed that she didn’t want to go to hospice.”
A signed copy of the court order for the appointment of the evaluation committee in In re: Karen Weber is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/WeberCourtOrder.pdf.
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
www.telladf.org
Related information
Answer to Verified Petition to Declare Karen Weber Competent, 4.25.2008