http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17103&ch=biotech
This is the story of Terry Wallis, who was severely brain injured in an auto accident in 1984, in a minimally conscious state for almost 20 years but started talking in 2003 and continued to improve but still has very little memory, can't keep stuff in his head for more than a few seconds. His daughter was 1 yo in 1984 and in 2003 was 20 with a 1 yo of her own. Terry was freaked out over that. He thinks Ronald Reagan was president. A real rip van winkle.
Originally posted by sonhouseAs far as Presidents go, he sure hasn't missed much.
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17103&ch=biotech
This is the story of Terry Wallis, who was severely brain injured in an auto accident in 1984, in a minimally conscious state for almost 20 years but started talking in 2003 and continued to improve but still has very little memory, can't keep stuff in his head for more than a few second ...[text shortened]... Terry was freaked out over that. He thinks Ronald Reagan was president. A real rip van winkle.
I love these stories...
I saw this documentary a few years ago about a man who had been supposedly brain dead for over ten years. They had considered turning off the machinery that was keeping him alive - then one day a therapist was holding his hand and felt a very slight squeeze. After continuing for months she was able to commmunicate with him and he eventually recovered - it was amazing. He said that he had heard them talking about pulling the plug on him. What a nightmare that must have been.
Originally posted by CrazyLilTingAs it should.
That reminds me of the Terry Sxhiavo case.
A very sad case, but a closed one.
I'm not pretending to reopen the discussion. Nor pretending there are similitudes.
But it keep me thinking.
- J
Too bad it doesn't keep the people in a position of being able to do something about it thinking. But that might be too much to ask.