Terri’s Day

Terri’s Day is an American holiday dedicated to the ongoing public debate about life and death for seriously ill or disabled patients. It was created in honor of a woman named Terri Schindler Schiavo, whose story will forever be remembered in society. The holiday is observed annually on March 31.

History

Terri’s Day was created in memory of Terri Schindler Schiavo. One day in the winter of 1990, at the age of 26, she fainted. Her heart stopped, but doctors were able to keep her alive. The incident was attributed to an eating disorder. Unfortunately, her brain was damaged during clinical death. After her heart was restarted, she needed to be permanently connected to a machine for nourishment and hydration.

Eight years later, her husband, Michael, stated that Terri did not want to continue living like this and requested that the feeding tube be removed. However, her parents did not support this decision. There were many lawsuits and appeals, and eventually, the court recognized the right of her legal husband to make medical decisions for his spouse. After the feeding tube was removed, she passed away less than two weeks later, on March 31, 2005.

Since then, the holiday has been dedicated to all disabled and seriously ill people. Its creators advocate for the lives of such people, emphasizing that life should not be ended unless the person themselves requests it.

Interesting facts

• Even President George W. Bush intervened in Terri’s situation, involving federal courts.
• There are approximately one billion people with disabilities worldwide. Around 150 million of them have severe impairments.

How to celebrate

Learn more about the story of Terri Schiavo. Volunteer for a day or donate to charities that support disabled individuals.

Spread the word on social media. Let more people know about this day!

When is Terri’s Day in 2025?

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

Observations