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"The missing cerebral cortex allegation interests me, but the author seems afraid to solicit contrary medical opinion, and I wonder why."

It seems as if this would be easily verifiable with the use of MRI and CT scans. I would think a rather elaborate conclusion could be drawn based on PET scan results, but I do not know to what extent the husband even allowed such testing to take place or if results of any of these tests have been offered into evidence.

Not that I think it would make any difference as to the flawed judgement in the case. Judges are playing God and they are out of bounds. Consider this: if we are known to use only 10% of our brains, don't you think that it is possible when there is damage to one part of the brain that there might be some natural, built-in way for another part to compensate to some extent?

Yes, the brain does compensate. My niece was born with menengitis. She had severe loss of brain tissue in the left frontal lobe. Basically, it is gone. We were told by prominent neurologists that she would never speak or if she did she would not speak properly. She is almost 4 now and carries on adult like conversations. She is extremely artistic as well. Her primary neurologists calls her a miracle saying that if he didn't know for a fact that her MRI's were hers he would never believe that he was looking at the same child who came to him so ill as an infant.

"Consider this: if we are known to use only 10% of our brains, don't you think that it is possible when there is damage to one part of the brain that there might be some natural, built-in way for another part to compensate to some extent?"

It's a medical fact that other, undamaged parts of the brain can take over the duties of the damaged portions. There have been some rather STARTLING cases of encephelitis patients doing just that. Living and finctioning with only half a brain.

Good point. I think I read somewhere that he severely restricted what doctors could have access and what kind of access.

I don't know what evidence the doctors based their opinions on, or what opinions they had, really, in detail.

Consider this: if we are known to use only 10% of our brains, don't you think that it is possible when there is damage to one part of the brain that there might be some natural, built-in way for another part to compensate to some extent?

Well if the whole cerebral cortex has disappeared, I think that ends meaningful rehab. Most of Terri's cerebral cortex has disappeared, according to one professor. He states that spinal fluid has filled the gap left by her missing cortex. But I don't know if he's seen than on a MRI or PET scan, or if he just infers that.

You bring up a good point. Perhaps people with similar severe damage have functioned at higher levels than Terri's current level. She might get to a higher level of function with rehab, even set the new standard.

But even if she never achieved a higher level of outward performance, we still have the possibility of the "prisoner within", unable to communicate, but still wishing to live.

Since we have volunteers willing to keep her going, at no expense to anyone else, I don't see a problem. Except for Florida's law, which seems to give overwhelming weight to the spouse's authority.