Mel Gibson Supports Terri Schiavo
Mel Gibson lent his support Friday to Terri Schiavo, telling Terri's father that he supported his family's efforts to save his daughter's life.
The Florida Baptist Witness reported that Terri's father, Bob Schindler, while speaking at a prayer vigil in front of the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, where Terri resides, told participants that Mel Gibson telephoned him March 11 and said he supported the family's efforts to save their daughter.
Schindler quoted Gibson as saying the Schindler family should "never give up and continue to pray."
Later, Gibson faxed Schindler a prepared statement.
Gibson's statement reads:
"I fully support the efforts of Mr. & Mrs. Schindler to save their daughter, Terri Schiavo, from a cruel starvation. Terri's husband should sign the care of his wife over to her parents so she can be properly cared for."
Terri Schiavo is set to lose water and food on March 18, when a court order expires that gave her parents additional time for legal motions.
"We are very grateful that Mr. Gibson has come forward and issued such an encouraging statement on such a delicate matter," Schindler said in a statement released Saturday.
"He was extremely supportive in our telephone conversation. Mr. Gibson told me he believes there is hope for Terri and that he knows of people in similar circumstances that have improved."
