Terri Schiavo Timeline

— -- Feb. 25, 1990

Terri Schiavo collapses in her home. Doctors believe a potassium imbalance caused her heart to temporarily stop, cutting off oxygen to her brain. She goes into a coma, and though her husband, Michael, raises money for an operation to implant a stimulator in her brain, she does not come out of the coma, remaining in what a doctor will later call a "persistent vegetative state."

November 1992

Michael Schiavo wins malpractice suit accusing doctors of misdiagnosing his wife for not recognizing that she was suffering from an eating disorder before her heart stopped. A jury awards more than more than $700,000 for her care, Michael receives an additional $300,000.

1993

In February, Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have a dispute with Michael over the malpractice suit money and Terri's care. In July, they file a petition to have Michael removed as Terri's guardian, but the case is later dismissed.

May 1998

Michael Schiavo files a petition to remove Terri's feeding tube.

Feb. 11, 2000

Pinellas, Fla., Circuit Judge George Greer rules the feeding tube can be removed.

April 24, 2001

Terri's feeding tube is removed, after the 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld Greer's decision and both the Florida Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene.

April 26, 2001

Circuit Judge Frank Quesada orders doctors to reinsert Terri's feeding tube.

Aug. 10, 2001

Greer denies the Schindlers' request to allow their doctors evaluate Terri, as well as their request to remove Michael Schiavo as her guardian.

Sept. 26, 2001

The Schindlers' attorneys argue before 2nd District Court of Appeal, citing testimony from seven doctors who say Terri can recover with the right treatment, and on Oct. 3, the court delays removal of feeding tube indefinitely. On Oct. 17, the court rules that five doctors can examine Terri to determine whether she has any hope of recovery. Two doctors are picked by the Schindlers, two are picked by Michael Schiavo and one is picked by the court.