Posted on 02/11/2005 6:16:34 PM PST by nickcarraway
A US woman who has spent the past 20 years in a coma-like state has inexplicably awoken and can now speak, news reports said.
Sarah Scantlin was 18 years old when, as a pedestrian, she was injured in a hit-and-run accident that left her in a semi-vegetative condition, aware of her surroundings but unable to speak or move.
Since that time, she has been in a care centre in the Midwest US state of Kansas.
Scantlin's parents unexpectedly received a phone call last week from the nursing home where their now 38-year-old daughter resides.
However, instead of the call being about Sarah, it was actually from Sarah.
"Hi mum," she said to her mother.
The words were a shock and a joy for Scantlin's parents.
"There's just no words," mother Betsy Scantlin told a CBS television news show. "I've just laughed ever since because it's just so amazing."
Doctors said Sarah Scantlin has been improving every day since her remarkable awakening. They have no explanation for the sudden improvement in her condition.
Although Scantlin started making indiscernible noises a couple of years ago, she remained unresponsive except for the ability to make eye contact.
This woman was more disabled than Terri.
ping
Praise God! Miracles do happen.
Michael Schiavo's worst nightmare,,,,that this could happen to Teri
It's a good thing Sarah wasn't in Florida.
"Look, she's waking up!"
"I feel so refreshed. Get me a toothbrush!"
--The Other Side of Darkness, a "Gene" pick.
Just saw this on the news-----astonishing.
(CBS) Not only is Sarah Scantlin speaking after suddenly awakening from the coma-like state she'd been in for 20 years, she's displaying "uncanny recall," her father says.
And Sarah's doctor says she seems to improve by the day.
Sarah, who was was in a hit-and-run accident when she was 18 that left her in the coma-like state, began speaking, out of the blue, a week ago. Doctors have no explanation.
Jim Scantlin, Sarah's father, told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith that, before that, his daughter was "basically unresponsive, in the regular sense of the word 'alert.' She was able to do eye contact and was very aware of her surroundings, but otherwise, physically, she was completely incapable of doing anything."
Sarah's mother, Betsy Scantlin, says Sarah actually started to make some noises a couple of years ago. "We didn't have any idea what that meant," she said to Smith. "We just knew it was a noise that she hadn't made for 18 years, and the people -- it's kind of like having a baby. You kind of learn to know the sounds, and they could kind of tell whether she wanted her TV changed or she was hurting or something, but otherwise, nothing."
Jim recounted the phone call he and Betsy got, informing them of the unimaginable: "It was amazing. I'm in the living room. Betsy was in the computer area, and the phone rings, and I'm immediately aware that it's the nursing home…where (Sarah) resides.
"And suddenly, I'm aware that there's a profound, distinct difference. Rather than speaking about Sarah, it became very clear she was speaking to Sarah. It was the most amazing feeling in the world."
Besty says she's "still stunned" to be hearing Sarah's voice again. "There's just no words. Twenty years ago, I cried a lot. This week, all I've done is laugh because, when I heard her say, 'Hi Mom,' I said, 'Sarah, is that you?' And she said, 'Yeah.' And all I can do is just say -- I've just laughed ever since, because it's just so amazing."
What's more, Jim says Sarah is showing "uncanny recall. It's amazing how -- considering how severe and profound her injury was, her ability to recall -- it's astonishing."
Sarah's doctor, Bradley Scheel, adds that, "It's just been amazing. We're all thrilled. And it seems, almost from day to day, she's able to make more responses. We're really anxious to see how she does from here."
©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
God IS merciful.
LOL! Shame on both of you. I almost choked on my steak.
"This woman was more disabled than Terri."
Is that really true? Wow, if so!
Wow....a whole lotta catchin' up to do here.....
Utterly incredible!
Thanks, Nick!
Terri ping! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!
BUMP
A video of her was strikingly similar to Terri's condition. Haven't seen much about her injuries in comparison.
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