Of Vegetative States
The UK Daily Mail has an astounding story about a man trapped in a supposed vegetative state for twenty-three years until the advent of new technology and the intervention of neurologist Dr. Steven Laureys. Student Rom Hubens was left paralyzed in an apparent coma after a car accident, but remained in the hellish state of perfect comprehension and total paralysis. His consciousness, based on current standards, was pronounced ‘extinct.’
But three years ago, new hi-tech scans showed his brain was still functioning almost completely normally.
Mr Houben describes the moment as ‘my second birth.’
Therapy has since allowed him to tap out messages on a computer screen.
Mr Houben said: ‘All that time I just literally dreamed of a better life. Frustration is too small a word to describe what I felt.’
His case has only just been revealed in a scientific paper released by the man who ‘saved’ him, top neurological expert Dr Steven Laureys.
My mother, in an odd trick of fate, was one of Terri Schiavo’s hospice nurses. We talked very carefully about her case, aware of the profound difference in our views. She was certain that what was being done was the best, most compassionate thing.
What this story reminds us is to never, ever bet against life.
HT Steyn in The Corner
Imagine being that guy and the staff standing around having a discussion about yanking your feeding tube.
Does this new technology to other similar or not-so-similar cases? The better we can assess the condition of a patient, the better equipped we are to make these terribly difficult decisions. Let’s hope this work helps us better identify exactly what is the most respectful and compassionate course of treatment for each individual. And let’s hope that advances such as this continue to be developed and made readily available.
Thank you to your mother for her work as a nurse. As the partner of one, their value to our society is not lost on me.
I take it Al Gore is empathetic to those in vegetative states.
My mother, in an odd trick of fate, was one of Terri Schiavo’s hospice nurses. We talked very carefully about her case, aware of the profound difference in our views. She was certain that what was being done was the best, most compassionate thing.
Mr. Mule, this part gave me great pain, and didn’t overlook the reality of human suffering. I went through something similar in my own family.
And the reality is, health care professionals see this human suffering for a living. Daily. Constantly.
So when we “civilians” weigh in on “life” [pro-life] issues in the abstract from a great and comfortable distance, they wonder what planet we’re from, because it ain’t the Earth they live on.
I don’t wanna get back into the Terri Schiavo case, but she didn’t seem to be suffering. As for my own human dignity, if I were in her shoes and probably brain-damaged beyond self-awareness, I’d still say leave me living and breathing if it made my family happy, and thanks for changing my diapers.
Hell, stuff me, take me home, and prop me up in front of the TV with a beer in my hand. It’ll be hard to tell the difference anyway. If my soul or consciousness are no longer here, what the hell should I care if it makes ‘em feel better?
And mebbe it’s true that her brain functions were so gone that she was like a goldfish.
So what? Why should we starve or squish a goldfish? Why is that “compassionate?” I just never got that one, Mr. Mule.
Oh well, I guess I got back into the Schiavo case anyway. As if Terri Schiavo was a “case” and not a human being. Or even a goldfish.
Tom Van Dyke. Okay, you opened this debate again.
If people want “living wills” and dictate certain things to do or not do (including removal of feeding tubes) whether I agree or not, I recognize their freedom to do that in a secular society. I also recognize the financial pressure to “end the suffering” and the conflict of interest that creates. In addition, not all spouses (or ex spouses) have the best wishes of their partner (or former partner) in mind all the time.
I ask only we give such a profound decision the same weight we give creating a regular will. Let it be in writing and notarized, with witnesses, before we start withdrawing hydration and food.
Yeah… I saw this clip on the news showing how his care worker was busy tapping out the messages using his finger onto a keyboard. He was completely comatose!
These ‘messages’ are from his mother and his careworker…