Terri’s Day

Terri’s Day is an American holiday connected to ongoing public debate about life and end-of-life decisions for seriously ill or disabled patients. It was created in honor of Terri Schindler Schiavo, whose case remains widely discussed. The holiday is observed annually on March 31.

History

Terri’s Day was created in memory of Terri Schindler Schiavo. In the winter of 1990, at age 26, she collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Doctors were able to revive her, but she suffered severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen. The incident was linked to an eating disorder. Afterward, she required long-term medical care and received nutrition and hydration through a feeding tube.

Years later, her husband, Michael Schiavo, said that Terri would not have wanted to continue living in that condition and asked for the feeding tube to be removed. Her parents opposed the request. A lengthy series of court cases followed, and the courts ultimately recognized her husband as the legal decision-maker. After the feeding tube was removed, she died less than two weeks later, on March 31, 2005.

Since then, the holiday has been associated with questions about medical decision-making and the rights of disabled and seriously ill people. Supporters emphasize that end-of-life decisions should reflect the wishes of the person involved.

Interesting Facts

• President George W. Bush became involved in the case, and federal courts were asked to review aspects of it.
• Worldwide, about one billion people live with disabilities, and roughly 150 million have severe impairments.

How to Take Part

Learn more about Terri Schiavo’s story and the issues it raised about medical decision-making. Volunteer your time or donate to organizations that support disabled people and individuals with serious illnesses.

Share information about the day on social media to help others understand why it is observed.

When is Terri’s Day in 2026?

Terri’s Day is observed on March 31 each year.

Observations