CLEARWATER, Fla. – Life’s value has long been a topic of intense debate and contemplation within society. For years, this issue has been at the forefront of the culture wars, sparking heated discussions and dividing opinions. At the center of one such controversy in the mid-2000s was a woman named Terri Schiavo.
In 1990, Schiavo experienced cardiac arrest, leading to her survival but leaving her in what medical professionals referred to as a “persistent vegetative state.” Her husband, convinced that this was not the life she would have wanted, sought permission to remove her feeding tube. Schiavo’s parents objected to this request, initiating a court battle that waged on for seven long years until 2005, with Schiavo confined to Suncoast hospice in Florida.
However, Schiavo was not the only individual enduring similar circumstances within Suncoast’s walls. In the film “Suncoast,” another life was portrayed, that of Max, a teenager battling brain cancer. Max had been rendered motionless and speechless for years, with his mother Kristine tirelessly caring for him. Recently, she made the difficult decision to move Max to Suncoast, recognizing that her home could no longer meet his increasingly complex needs. Nonetheless, Kristine harbored concerns about the facility’s environment and the quality of care provided, believing it to be impersonal and artificial.
Kristine adamantly refused to leave Max alone in such a place. Her devotion knew no bounds. Determined to be by his side until the end, she announced to her 17-year-old daughter, Doris, that she would be sleeping in Max’s room at Suncoast from now on. This meant that Doris would be left to sleep alone in their small house. When Doris voiced her objections, Kristine dismissed her, emphasizing the depths of her love for Max and her inability to endure his pain without sharing it herself.
Doris had grown accustomed to living in the shadow of her motionless brother, with her mother’s love and attention exclusively focused on him. She yearned for a different reality, one where her mother recognized her growth and need for guidance. Unfortunately, the circumstances had left Doris vulnerable, and the absence of parental presence in the house created a void that could easily be filled in unfavorable ways.
The ensuing narrative raises thought-provoking questions about the value placed on different lives within society. While the popular response is to assert that every life is precious, there are instances where actions may unintentionally express a different sentiment – the implicit belief that some lives hold more value than others.
Doris, a curious and affection-starved teenager, finds herself grappling with this reality. She longs for her mother’s recognition, for her own journey towards adulthood to be acknowledged. In a house rendered empty by her mother’s unwavering commitment to Max, Doris’s need for guidance and attention goes unmet, potentially leading her down a troubled path.
This emotional and complex story, brought to life in “Suncoast,” serves as a poignant reminder of the intricacies surrounding the value society places on human life. It challenges us to consider the unintended consequences of prioritizing one life over another and encourages us to recognize the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships with all those we hold dear.