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.
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 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 the
reactions to the decision
of the parties, attorneys, etc.
decision: "The hardest case"?
1996 decision requiring the appointment of counsel for Robert
THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT DECISION
Florence and Rebekah's Opening Brief
Florence and Rebekah's Reply Brief
Amici curiae brief of Not Dead Yet
and 11 other disability rights groups
What the Wendland Children
Said
International Task Force on Euthanasia and Suicide
Compassionate Healthcare Network
Terri's Fight
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.
Schiavo right-to-life case brings back memories of one local family's tragedy
The Case Heard Round the Web:
How Terri Schiavo Became a Household Name
2001:
"Death Dilemma
Why Did Catholic Hospitals Support the Death of Robert Wendland?"
"Big Court Win
Why Did Wendland's Wife Stop His Antibiotics?"
*
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.
2000:
1999:
1998:
1997:
1996:
1995:
"Big Win for Life --
But Why Did Catholic Hospitals Push Euthanasia?"
San Francisco Faith: December 2001
San Francisco Faith: November 2001
The Valley Citizen: September 2001:
"Robert Wendland's Legacy"
San Francisco Chronicle: August 29, 2001
"Widow tries again on the right to die --
State high court asked to reconsider its ruling"
Lodi News-Sentinel: September 28, 2001
"State Supreme Court denies petition to clarify Wendland ruling"
Stockton Record: September 28, 2001
"Wendland decision will stand
State Supreme Court declines reconsideration"
Lodi News-Sentinel: August 28, 2001
"Wendland’s wife petitions high court to clarify ruling"
Stockton Record: August 22, 2001
"Crash killed Wendland, coroner's office rules"
National Right to Life Committee: August 14, 2001
"Robert Wendland: RIP [Part Two]"
National Right to Life Committee: August 13, 2001
"Robert Wendland: RIP [Part One]"
Lodi News-Sentinel: August 10, 2001
"MOTHER
WINS BATTLE"
Stockton Record: August 10, 2001
"Mom lauds Wendland case ruling"
New York Times: August 10, 2001
"California Justices Limit Families' Right to End Life Support"
Oakland Tribune: August 10, 2001
"Court limits right to die
State case may set national precedent"
Sacramento Bee: August 10, 2001
"New curbs placed on right to die"
KXTV Channel 10: August 9, 2001
"California Supreme Court Rules in Wendland Case"
KPIX Channel 5: August 9, 2001
"Right to Die Decision"
KCRA Channel 3: August 9, 2001
"Court Rules On Wendland Right-To-Die Case"
Stockton Record: August 9, 2001
"Court's opinion expected on Wendland case"
Colorado Springs Right to Life: August 2001
"The Suspicious Death of Robert Wendland"
Stockton Record: July 27, 2001
Letter to the Editor: "Wendland case a sad lesson"
Lodi News-Sentinel: July 27, 2001
"Lodi hospital stresses need for medical directives"
San Francisco Chronicle: July 24, 2001
"If disabled means expendable"
By Chronicle columnist Debra J. Saunders
H.E.L.P.: July 24, 2001
"An Open Letter from Ed Long, H.E.L.P. Executive Director"
Daily Camera: July 21, 2001
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."
Lodi News-Sentinel: July 19, 2001
"Legal Battle Continues
Despite Robert Wendland's Death"
Stockton Record: July 19, 2001
"Wendland's Widow Wants Court Decision"
WAPD: July 18, 2001
"Disability Community Reeling from Death of Robert Wendland"
Statement by Diane Coleman of Not Dead Yet
KCRA Channel 3: July 18, 2001
"Man at center of right-to-die case dies"
Includes video clip
KOVR Channel 13: July 18, 2001
"Right-to-die controversy will continue after the death of Robert Wendland"
Associated Press: July 18, 2001
"Man at center of right-to-die case dies in Lodi hospital"
Sacramento Bee: July 18, 2001
"Man at center of right-to-die case dies in Lodi hospital"
Stockton Record: July 18, 2001
"Robert Wendland dies"
KXTV 10: July 18, 2001
"Death of Robert Wendland Fails to End Family Feud"
Includes video clip
The Recorder: July 18, 2001
"Robert Wendland Dies But Battle Continues --
Both sides still want court to render decision"
Lodi News-Sentinel: July 18, 2001
"Robert Wendland dies after 8 years on life support"
KCRA Channel 3: July 18, 2001
"Wendland Family Remains Divided"
Includes video clip
Lodi News-Sentinel: July 17, 2001
"Robert Wendland's condition worsens"
Stockton Record: July 17, 2001
"Court petition seeks information on Wendland's health"
The Recorder: July 17, 2001
"Wendland Condition Deteriorates"
KXTV News 10: July 17, 2001
"Man at Center of Life Support Battle Dies"
The Stockton Record: July 15, 2001
"Wendland Condition Worsens"
July 14, 2001 Press Statement issued by
Florence Wendland, Rebekah Vinson, and family
KXTV Channel 10: July 14, 2001
"New Conflict Arises in Bitter Life Support Battle"
National Right to Life: June 2001
"Another Dimension of Death"
Praxis Press: June 27, 2001
The Ethicist: The People's Choice
"How Conscious is Conscious?"
Opinions: June 27, 2001
Bruce Hilton: "A man's last wishes"
The Recorder: June 26, 2001
"Mosk Cases Reassigned to Other Justices"
Los Angeles Times Article: June 21, 2001
San Francisco Chronicle Article: June 21, 2001
SCN Media: June 18, 2001
"End loved one's suffering, or mine?"
Stockton, California Catholic Bishop: June 7, 2001
"Life is Good . . . Not Absolute"
Listen to National Public Radio's
June 4, 2001 Report
Santa Rosa Press-Democrat: June 4, 2001
Letter to the Editor: "Reasons to Live"
Cape Cod Times: June 2, 2001
Editorial: "The right to live --
California Supreme Court should respect the wishes of the mother of a man on feeding tubes"
Santa Rosa Press Democrat: June 2, 2001
Editorial: "Good will --
Writing out wishes could save
a family unendurable grief"
Fresno Bee: June 2, 2001
"Robert's Wishes: Court struggles to set the parameters of the right to die"
Topeka Independent Living Resource Center:
June 2001 --
"Disability Advocates Protest
Starvation of Disabled Man"
National Right to Life Committee: May 31, 2001
"Pressing the Euthanasia Envelope"
The Recorder: May 31, 2001
"Court Wary of Ending Patient's Life"
"Court tackles right-to-die limits --
California justices seem leery of allowing the death of a man who is paralyzed but still conscious"
"State Supreme Court Hears Case of Lodi Man on Life Support"
Alliance Defense Fund: May 30, 2001
"California Supreme Court to Hear
Arguments in Landmark Life and Death Case Today"
"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"
"Wendland Case Coverage 'One-Sided,' Charges Attorney"
"Good Morning America" in response to
appearance by Rose and Wendland children: January 22, 2001
Transcript of CNN's "Burden Of Proof": January 15, 2001
The Stockton Record: January 13, 2001
London Times: January 10, 2001
"Don't Let My Son Die"
London Times: January 4, 2001
"Mother and Wife in Court Battle Over Man's Life"
Los Angeles Times: January 2, 2001
"Out of a Coma, Into a Twilight"
lifeissues.net: "The Betrayal of Hippocrates"
An Interview with Lawyer and Writer Wesley J. Smith
ACLU News January-February 2001:
"ACLU-NC Supports Man's Right to End Life Support"
Coalition For Citizens With Disabilities:
December 2000
"Robert Wendland -- Life, Liberty and ?"
California Nurses' Association:
"Euthanasia- A New Book Dissects the Debate"
American Medical News: July 31, 2000
"California High Court to Ponder Rights on Medical Decisions"
The Recorder: June 2000
"Justices Grant Review in Life Support Case"
The Recorder: February 25, 2000
"Wife Prevails in Right-to-Die Case, Court Says"
The Recorder: February 17, 2000
"Arguing Over Life and Death"
The Recorder: July 21, 1999
"A Life or Death Decision
--
Amicus
Elder Law Issues: August 10, 1998
"Lack Of Advance Directive
San Francisco Faith: March 1998
"Update: Robert Wendland Spared"
"Making the Right Decision for All the Wrong Reasons?"
December 1997: "Disabled California Man Saved From Starvation Death"
Life Advocate Magazine: December 1997
"Stockton judge rules on food and water"
December 1997: "Robert Wendland Spared"
Wesley J. Smith:
"Can a 'Right to Die' be Turned into a Forced Fate?"
Wesley J. Smith:
"Killing in the Shadows"
Wesley J. Smith: December 8, 1995
"Creating a Disposable Caste"
