After 20 Years in 'Vegetative State' Woman Wakes

EarnedMedia.org ^ | Feb.11 | Gary McCullough

[TBP]

Sarah Scantlin was knocked into a coma by a drunk driver 20 years ago has begun to speak and remember her past. Her brain was injured so badly that doctors first feared she would spend her life in a vegetative state, spending years unable to form words or make any sounds other than loud cries.

A week ago Sarah began speaking and doctors have no explanation.

The parents, brother and sister of Terri Schindler Schiavo hope the Florida courts will see this miracle and think of Terri.

Video tape shown today on CNN Headline News of Sarah with her mother is extremely similar to footage of Terri and her mother. Both daughters were unable to communicate in words. Both were labeled as severely brain damaged.

Bob Schindler, father of Terri Schindler Schiavo says, "In light of the miraculous awakening of Miss Sarah Scantlin in Kansas and the success of the new brainwave test reported in the New York Times this week, my daughter deserves to have this test before she is starved to death by judicial decree."

Terri Schindler Schiavo's parents will be traveling to Hutchinson, Kansas to meet Sarah and her family.

[Chocolate Rose]

After 20 years, injured woman talks again

Father: 'She's 100 percent Sarah again'

Friday, February 11, 2005

HUTCHINSON, Kansas (AP) -- A woman unable to talk since she was hit by a drunken driver 20 years ago has begun to regain her memory and form words, sending her father "from despair to joy."

Sarah Scantlin's family and friends plan to celebrate the development on Saturday at the health care center where she lives.

"She's 100 percent Sarah again. The family is back together, and it's just simply a joyous situation," her father, Jim Scantlin, told CNN.

Scantlin was 18 when she was struck while walking to her car in 1984. She had been aware of her surroundings but unable to make any sounds other than loud crying until a month ago, when she told staff members, "OK, OK."

"It just happened one day and nobody really knows why," said Sharon Kuepker, administrator for the Golden Plains Health Care Center.

She is now forming other words, counting and remembering people and places, staff members said.

"You condition yourself to be able to try to deal with something like this, and then all of the sudden, the world instantly changed from despair to joy because it's amazing how important communication is between human beings," her father said.

The driver who struck Scantlin, Douglas Doman II, served six months in jail after being convicted of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an injury accident.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/11/recovering.woman.ap/index.html

[newgeezer]

Sarah Scantlin was knocked into a coma by a drunk driver 20 years ago has begun to speak and remember her past.

Fortunately, no one was trying to kill her in the meantime.

[Chocolate Rose]

Go to the link to play the video
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/11/recovering.woman.ap/index.html

[no more apples]

All the more reason to pray harder for Terri. She deserves life, not starvation. That story came when it was needed - thank God! I hope something good comes of it in addition to Sarah being released from the effects of the coma.

[newgeezer]

Of course, the possibility that Terri might one day begin to speak could be why Schiavo wants her dead.

[BykrBayb]

"Has anyone who has awoken from a coma remembered anything while comatose or could they recognize what was going on around them but just could not communicate?"

Yes, Kate Adamson. Here's her story.

http://www.katesjourney.com/index.htm

[BykrBayb]

You have to pay for a premium account to see the video.

[Hildy]

There is no money left.

[BykrBayb]

Stick around the Terri Schiavo threads and you'll see what mean and hateful really is. I give it half an hour before someone shows up here, demanding the extermination of Terri.

[tang-soo]

Her first words had to be, "Is Ronald Reagan still our wonderful president??

If she is able some day, I think Terri's first words might have something to do with some help loosing her balance at the top of some stairs.

[BykrBayb]

LOL - I spoke too soon. We already have a Terri-hater in the house. The bashing will begin shortly. Stay tuned.

[BykrBayb]

Actually, disabled people usually don't hate themselves and don't want to be murdered. What makes you think Terri would be any different? Or do you feel that way about all disabled patients?

[BykrBayb]

Thanks for the ping, Scoop.

[BykrBayb]

That's not surprising to me at all. What surprises me is the people who don't know that.

[tang-soo]

What on earth are you talking about? I simply made the comment that Terri's condition was not brought on by an accident as her husband would have everyone believe. I am a supporter of Terri.

[TBP]

"Back to the Future, Part 4."

Where are Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd?

[TBP]

Might be.

Someone send this thread to Greta Va Susteren.