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Wonder what it would be like to litigate a case such as Conservatorship of Wendland which spanned a period of six years? The editors of this site invite you to read and add your comments to the blog from the attorney who successfully litigated Conservatorship of Wendland.
Who Speaks for Robert?
The Importance of Having an Advance Health Care DirectiveThe editors of this site invite you to view the educational film produced in 2002 by the Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center Center for Research and Training in Humane and Ethical Care :
Part 1:
Part 2:
Disclaimer
The editors of this site had no involvement in the film's production, nor have or will they benefit in any way, financially or otherwise, from it. The film contains a number of factually inaccurate statements, however, the message of the film is appropriate, clear, and consistent with Robert Wendland's legacy: Every adult should deliberatively prepare and properly execute an advance directive to be followed in the event that he/she is unable to make his/her own medical treatment decisions. The directive should not only outline his/her medical treatment preferences, but also designate the person(s) who are authorized to serve as the individual's surrogate decision-maker. An advance directive spares a patient's family from the type of agonizing ordeal endured by all involved with the Wendland case, including but not limited to Robert's family members, the attorneys, judge, justices, medical caregivers, et. al.
Florence Wendland
August 15, 1922 - February 24, 2006Florence, age 83, entered into eternal rest at home with her loving family at her bedside on Friday, February 24, 2006.
Florence devoted her entire life to making sure her children and grandchildren were loved and taken care of. Florence was born in North Dakota in 1922 to Phillip and Katherine Siebel and moved to California with her family in 1933 at the age of ten. She was a third generation Seventh Day Adventist. Her real passion later in life was bowling, which she was involved in for many years. Florence was preceded in death by her mother and father; four brothers; two sisters and her eldest son, Robert Wendland. She is survived by one remaining sister, Lonnie Morrison of Modesto; daughters Cindy Gardella; Adolphne Wert and her husband, Bruce; Debra Hofer; Lisa Raimer and her husband, Darrell; and Rebekah Vinson; her sons Michael Hofer and his wife, Carol; and Thomas Hofer, along with 27 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.
We extend our sincere condolences to Florence's family.
It was my extreme honor to know Florence and serve as her representative. She was a special and remarkable woman who showed unconditional love, support, acceptance, and forgiveness to her children, grandchildren and the rest of her family. She had great courage, a deep, abiding faith in God, and was true to her convictions.
During the 6 years that I represented her in her fight to save her son's life, and the years that have followed, I came to look at Florence as a surrogate mother and, in fact, called her "Mom" with great affection. I shall miss her sweet voice on the other end of the phone, asking me, "How are you, dearie?" and the way she always greeted me with a big hug. It is ironic that when the case didn't seem to be going well, she would speak words of comfort and support to me, even though it was my job to utter reassurances to her. But that's the kind of person she was -- selfless and ready to aid those around her.
To all of her family: Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Florence was a unique and special woman. I shall miss her, but smile when I think of her reunited with Robert, the son she loved and fought so bravely for.
Be at peace, "Mom."Janie Hickok Siess, Esq.
Lodi, CA
The California Supreme Court issued its decision on August 9, 2001. Shortly thereafter, Rose Wendland, Robert's court-appointed attorney, and their amicus groups filed a Petition for Rehearing, asking the Court to reconsider and modify portions of its decision. On September 27, 2001, that Petition for Rehearing was was denied by the Court.
The California Supreme Court decision, as issued on August 9, 2001, is a final decision and may be cited as an authoritative source in other legal proceedings.
Read the
reactions to the decision
of the parties, attorneys, etc.
On Saturday, July 28, 2001, Robert's mother, other family members, and friends gathered at a park in Stockton, California, to celebrate Robert Wendland's life. Among the speakers was noted attorney, author and anti-euthanasia advocate, Wesley J. Smith. Click here to read Mr. Smith's comments.
The Legal Arguments:
In the California Supreme Court
and 11 other disability rights groupsIn the Third District Court of Appeal
Warning: This information is graphic and may be upsetting to the reader. This is a slideshow of the testimony of this country's real "Dr. Death," Ronald Cranford, M.D.
Links to Other Sites:
Read about the fight waged by Terri's parents to save her life
The Wendland Case in the Media
2005:
Florence Wendland's attorney, Janie Hickok Siess, appeared on Scarborough Country, April 2005, as Terri Schiavo was being dehydrated to death.
How Terri Schiavo Became a Household Name
2001:
Why Did Catholic Hospitals Support the Death of Robert Wendland?"
Why Did Wendland's Wife Stop His Antibiotics?"
"Robert Wendland's Legacy"
"Widow tries again on the right to die --
State high court asked to reconsider its ruling"
"State Supreme Court denies petition to clarify Wendland ruling"
"Wendland decision will stand
State Supreme Court declines reconsideration"
"Wendland’s wife petitions high court to clarify ruling"
"Crash killed Wendland, coroner's office rules"
"Robert Wendland: RIP [Part Two]"
"Robert Wendland: RIP [Part One]"
"MOTHER WINS BATTLE"
"Mom lauds Wendland case ruling"
"California Justices Limit Families' Right to End Life Support"
"Court limits right to die
State case may set national precedent"
"New curbs placed on right to die"
"California Supreme Court Rules in Wendland Case"
"Right to Die Decision"
"Court Rules On Wendland Right-To-Die Case"
"Right-to-Die"
"Court's opinion expected on Wendland case"
"The Suspicious Death of Robert Wendland"
Letter to the Editor: "Wendland case a sad lesson"
"Lodi hospital stresses need for medical directives"
"If disabled means expendable"
By Chronicle columnist Debra J. Saunders
"An Open Letter from Ed Long, H.E.L.P. Executive Director"
Opinion: "Stretching Life Too Thin"
"Man's Widow Pursues Ruling
Law: Subject of right-to-die battle succumbed before court could act. Wife says she still wants decision that might help others."
"Legal Battle Continues
Despite Robert Wendland's Death"
"Wendland's Widow Wants Court Decision"
"Disability Community Reeling from Death of Robert Wendland"
Statement by Diane Coleman of Not Dead Yet
"Man at center of right-to-die case dies"
Includes video clip
"Man at center of right-to-die case dies in Lodi hospital"
"Man at center of right-to-die fight is dead
Controversial case was pending in California Supreme Court"
"Man at center of right-to-die case dies in Lodi hospital"
"Robert Wendland dies"
"Death of Robert Wendland Fails to End Family Feud"
Includes video clip
"Robert Wendland dies after 8 years on life support"
"Wendland Family Remains Divided"
Includes video clip
"Robert Wendland's condition worsens"
"Court petition seeks information on Wendland's health"
"Wendland Condition Deteriorates"
"Man at Center of Life Support Battle Dies"
"Wendland Condition Worsens"
Florence Wendland, Rebekah Vinson, and family
"New Conflict Arises in Bitter Life Support Battle"
"Another Dimension of Death"
The Ethicist: The People's Choice
"How Conscious is Conscious?"
Bruce Hilton: "A man's last wishes"
"Mosk Cases Reassigned to Other Justices"
"End loved one's suffering, or mine?"
"Life is Good . . . Not Absolute"*
* Note to members of the Catholic Community:
The Alliance of Catholic Health Care, Catholic Healthcare West,
and Mercy Healthcare Sacramento joined in filing a brief in the
California Supreme in support of Rose Wendland.
June 4, 2001 Report
Letter to the Editor: "Reasons to Live"
"Pressing the Euthanasia Envelope"
"Uncharted Legal Ground in Top Court --
Brain-damaged man's wife, mother fight over life and death"
"Court Wary of Ending Patient's Life"
"State Supreme Court Hears Case of Lodi Man on Life Support"
"Family Split Over Life or Death"
"Disabled Man's Life In Justices' Hands"
"State High Court Grapples with Pulling Plug on Accident Victim"
"New Twist in Cases Over Right to Die"
"State's High Court to Hear Wendland Case"
"In the Twilight Between Life and Death"
"When a Coma Isn't One"
Congress Workshops: "In Search of Healing -- A duty to die?"
"Life-or-Death Decisions Not Solely Court's"
"Don't Let My Son Die"
"Mother and Wife in Court Battle Over Man's Life"
"Out of a Coma, Into a Twilight"
An Interview with Lawyer and Writer Wesley J. Smith
"ACLU-NC Supports Man's Right to End Life Support"
2000:
December 2000
"Robert Wendland -- Life, Liberty and ?"
"Euthanasia- A New Book Dissects the Debate"
"California High Court to Ponder Rights on Medical Decisions"
"Justices Grant Review in Life Support Case"
"Wife Prevails in Right-to-Die Case, Court Says"
"Arguing Over Life and Death"
1999:
"A Life or Death Decision --
Amicus Briefs fly as groups line up on both sides of right-to-die case"
1998:
"Lack Of Advance Directive Contributes To Family Tragedy"
"Update: Robert Wendland Spared"
"Making the Right Decision for All the Wrong Reasons?"
1997:
"Stockton judge rules on food and water"
"Can a 'Right to Die' be Turned into a Forced Fate?"
1996:
"Killing in the Shadows"
1995:
"Creating a Disposable Caste"
Note: You must have Quicktime installed on your computer in order to download and watch the video clip
