The media coverage of the Terri Schiavo story omits the dedicated and inspiring disability rights activists in our country. It’s no wonder the public thinks the Christian right, the anti-choice lobby and Tom DeLay are the only ones who oppose starving Schiavo. Please think again. I hope those who go along with the “right to die” bandwagon will take 30 minutes to visit “Not Dead Yet – The Resistance” Web site (notdeadyet.org).

Progressives and liberals in particular would do well to read Lucy Gwin’s account there, of Not Dead Yet activists changing hearts and minds at an ACLU conference on exactly whose rights are really being threatened in the so-called “euthanasia” debate. There’s also a link to recent neurological research casting considerable doubt on the idea that fundamental cognition is impaired in cases similar to Schiavo’s (as opposed to simply being physically unable to communicate). While you’re at it go to adapt.org and see photos of disability activists in action.

Christopher Reeve recounts in his book that prior to becoming disabled he imagined he would never want medical intervention; after the fact he discovered that he wanted to live. And live he did, forcing many to rethink disability. The information we’re getting on the Terri Schiavo story is garbled, inaccurate and sensational.

Janet Koppenhofer

Orono