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Robert's Legacy

One Voice — Part One

It’s been a long week of little sleep. I’ve been glued to the t.v., waiting to hear the latest developments in the Schiavo matter, listening to the various commentators and, in many instances, yelling back at the t.v. because they are so woefully ignorant about the true facts of the case. All of it causes me — and my client, Florence Wendland (see below) — to relive our days battling for Robert Wendland’s life and reexperience those emotions.

Since last night, when I heard that the Schindlers’ appeal had been lodged with the U.S. Supreme Court, I have had an old song going through my head. Remember “One Voice,” the old Barry Manilow song from about 1978? I haven’t actually heard it in many years, but from somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain it surfaced and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head as I think about Justice Anthony Kennedy who has the power to singlehandedly save Terri Schiavo.

Look at the lyrics:

ONE VOICE

Just One Voice,
Singing in the darkness,
All it takes is One Voice,
Singing so they hear what’s on your mind,
And when you look around you’ll find
There’s more than One Voice,
Singing in the darkness,
Joining with your One Voice,
Each and every note another octave,
Hands are joined and fears unlocked,
If only One Voice would start it on its own,
We need just One Voice facing the unknown,
And that One Voice would never be alone
It takes that One Voice.

My prayer this morning is that Justice Kennedy has the courage, strength and wisdom to be the One Voice that Terri Schiavo needs now.

Thanks for reading “Colloquium”!
Author

JHSiess successfully represented the late Florence Wendland and Rebekah Vinson in the landmark California case, Conservatorship of Wendland. Her writings here are dedicated to revealing her unique perspective. Siess is quick to point out that she felt from the case's inception that she was called to handle it as a matter and test of her commitment to the law and specific principles of social justice. Accordingly, she makes no pretense about being objective here and stresses that objectivity is not the goal. Rather, it is her hope that all who read about the protracted litigation that ended with a victory in the California Supreme Court for her clients, but Robert Wendland's death before the win was assured, will resolve never to let their family members speculate about their desires in the event of catastrophic illness or injury -- and not only talk in detail with their loved ones about their wishes, but also commit them to writing. Siess says she is confident you will, after learning what Robert Wendland's family members, caregivers and friends, in addition to the attorneys, judges and justices involved in this case endured, resolve never to permit your loved ones to become embroiled in such a battle. Questions may be addressed to jhsiess@comcast.net.

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