Pinellas Park, Fla. ? For the third time in four years, Terri Schiavo’s parents have a date and a time in which their daughter’s death is scheduled to begin.

Twice before, Bob and Mary Schindler have managed to reverse the course of events and keep their brain- damaged daughter alive, despite her husband’s contention she would have never wanted to be on life support.

The Schindlers now have three weeks to pull off one of the legal “miracles” that they credit for prolonging Terri Schiavo’s life.

Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer ruled Friday that her husband, Michael Schiavo, can direct doctors to remove the feeding tube that keeps Terri Schiavo, 41, alive at 1 p.m. March 18.

“We are happy that we have at least three weeks before they kill Terri,” Bob Schindler said Friday. “We are unhappy we don’t have much time.”

The parents have vowed to appeal the judge’s order. But pending any stay from a Florida appeals court, Terri Schiavo’s death will begin March 18. Doctors believe she will live for 10 to 14 days after the tube is removed and she no longer receives nutrition or hydration.

Michael Schiavo says he is carrying out his wife’s wishes not to be kept alive artificially.

Her parents’ attorneys contend it will be a “barbaric” death for a disabled woman who they contend is responsive and emotional with them. They had requested an indefinite stay from the judge while they seek new medical tests they hope will prove their daughter has mental cognition and real emotions.

Bob and Mary Schindler, parents of the severely brain-damaged woman at the center of a national right-to-die debate, say they will continue to fight to keep their daughter Terri Schiavo alive. Standing in the rain Friday outside the Florida hospice where his daughter lives, Bob Schindler expressed relief that the judge did not give her husband, Michael Schiavo, immediate authority to disconnect their daughter's feeding tube, as was possible.

“We want to put forth the most aggressive defense we can of Terri Schiavo’s life,” attorney David Gibbs said.

Michael Schiavo’s attorney, George Felos, issued a statement saying he was pleased with Greer’s ruling in the emotionally charged case which is drawing intense, international attention.

“I am very pleased that the Court has recognized there must be a finality to this process,” Felos said. “I am hopeful and confident that the appellate court will also agree that Terri’s wishes not to be kept alive artificially must now be enforced.”

Greer has twice set dates for the tube removal — in 2001 and 2003 — and in both instances Terri Schiavo went for days without food and water before others intervened.

Greer said he was no longer comfortable granting delays simply because the parents filed new motions and that the couple and their attorneys needed to demonstrate their requests “have merit and accordingly are worthy of a stay.”