Woman wakes from 20 year coma

tvnz.co.nz/ ^ | Feb 12, 2005

[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.

[hispanarepublicana]

I almost choked on my steak.

there are worse ways to go....

[rdcorso]

If this woman had a loving husband like Michael she would have been dead years ago after he pulled the plug.We all know that he just loves her to death,literally.I hope Terry wakes up one night real soon and instead of calling her husband she calls the police to report an attempted murder.

[AggieCPA]

Can you imagine being transported from 1986 to today?

1) Michael Jackson is on trial? Didn't he used to be black?

2) How many times has George Bush been elected President? What happened to Dan Quayle?

3) Yeah, right, two planes hit the WTC and knocked them down. SURE they did.

4) Who is Bill Clinton?

5) I can't wait to watch Johnny Carson!

6) What is a "blue" state? What is a "red" state?

7) OJ Simpson did WHAT?

8) What is this "internet" people keep talking about?

etc. etc. etc.

[pc93]

I saw it on CNN headline news. It's real.

[krinkrayyado]

27 years ago I did a six week rotation through surgical ICU in a Ft. Worth hospital. I took care of a 17 y.o. girl who was in a complete coma the entire time. I spoke to her daily, praised her and encouraged her... although she never responded. I rotated off of the service, hoping she would recover. I didn't see her again, until about 8 months later, at the end of a long day, I was walking back to my room to take a shower. She appeared from behind a column to surprise me. She took me, kissed me, and told me how much I had meant to her. I was stunned... she left me there, both of us crying.
True story... body + spirit = soul. Always be aware that our spirits are what truly communicates... even in the Alzheimer's patients.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Think of it! When she had her accident there was U2, and Blondie, and music still on MTV. There was Springsteen, Madonna, way before Nirvana...

Seriously, all prayers to her for a speedy and successful recovery.

[beaversmom]

Good thing she wasn't married to a souless swine.

[BykrBayb]

I wouldn't know yet about her, but Kate Adamson recovered and wrote a book about her own experience, Kate's Journey: Triumph Over Adversity. Among other things, she describes the horror of having her feeding tube removed for eight days.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Ah, to have slept thru the entire Clinton Administration Aberration .... 4 posted on 02/11/2005 6:20:03 PM PST by hispanarepublicana

Let's see...uh...'84...'85...She's in for quite a shock. This is a GREAT opportunity for historians - actually to interview someone who thinks they are still living in the '80s, the Reagan years. Wow. Time Travel. "Back to the Future."

[Salamander]

What a beautiful story of hope.
Thanks for sharing it.

[now gimme the Kleenex]....;)

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

My thoughts exactly. Not quite like she missed vintage years.

[austinaero]

That's a great story,,,it's amazing that she could detect and remember your caring for her. Sometimes I think because others can't communicate, that means they don't understand. What a fool I am, it's I who doesn't understand. To be trapped inside your body and mind like that,,,I cannot even imagine the frustration...

God bless you for your caring for this girl.

[Born Conservative]

Ah, to have slept thru the entire Clinton Administration Aberration ....

Yes, there is a silver lining in even the worst of situations...

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

And what a treat for the next high school reunion.

They should break her in slowly with...uh..let's say Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade before getting to the Clinton years.

[maggief]

Great video link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/11/earlyshow/main673281.shtml




New Miracles From Coma Woman

HUTCHINSON, Kansas, Feb. 11, 2005

Free Video

Miracle Coma Comeback

Sarah's parents and Dr. Bradley Scheel (Photo: CBS/The Early Show)

[BykrBayb]

I don't have the inside scoop on this, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once. ; )

[Bush2000]

Terry Schiavo deserves a chance at life. I cannot understand how another human being could be so cold as to deny her parents what little joy they want in caring for their daughter. What would it cost him to give up his quest to see Terry deprived of life? Some insurance money? What is motivating this misguided man -- aside from stubborn principle?

[BykrBayb]

Tissue alert!

[thor76]

Gee........and I really wanted to quote that song by "Bowling for Soup". Guess ya beat me to it!

My prayers for this woman!

[Jrabbit]

If I recall, her parents have told him he can have all the money. They just want Terri. I think he's terrified that she will recover enough to tell what happened to her at his hands. This case of Sara must have him and Greer and Felos in a tizzy. She even has recovered her memory!