[punster]

There are many doctors (neurologists, some of who called the Neal Boortz show) who have said this is a persistent vegetative state. Those same doctors said there is no return from a persistent vegetative state. I would suggest doing some diagnostic effort to assess who is correct.

1. I would suggest doing a PET scan to determine the degree of brain damage.

2. An EEG would also give some indication of whether there is any self-awareness.

[eno_]

This is also shining a light on some areas where many MDs would prefer decisions remained in the hands of experts. There should be a more open debate on what "life" means and when it can be extinguished through a decison to withdraw care.

I would like to have a living will that says "Anyone who unplugs me will be hunted like vermin, and will die in a manner that makes a persistent vegitative state a very attractive alternative."

[SuziQ]

There are many doctors (neurologists, some of who called the Neal Boortz show) who have said this is a persistent vegetative state.

I don't think her family is expecting her 'return' from this state. I think they are just saying that even in her state, she is entitled to live life and have the loving support of her parents and siblings. She is obviously NOT getting that from her 'so-called' husband.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Your suggestions on what tests to do would be well accepted by anyone who wishes to see the truth. But unfortunately, it appears that this poor woman's husband does not want such discovery to take place. Three nurses who have cared for this woman have come forward with sworn testimony that Michael Schiavo refused to allow his wife to recieve even the most basic forms of therapy, such as allowing her to attempt to eat jello or placing a washcloth in her hand to prevent her hand from closing in on itself.

The fact that a lawyer and an uncaring husband say she is in a "vegatative state", does not make it so. If she has Alpha and Beta wave activity, can recognize words and faces, and can communicate through speech, then this is a disabled person, not a comatose person or a vegatative person.

Withholding food from her would be akin to withholding food from a mute quadrepalegic. After all, they can't move or speak to defend themselves, so why should they live. Right?

[TigersEye]

2. An EEG would also give some indication of whether there is any self-awareness.

Or you could decide for yourself. Look here.