Medical Affidavit
March 3, 2005
Lawrence Huntoon M.D. Neurologist clinical office Derby new York
Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons
I have viewed the short video clips on the Terri Schiavo website. Based on those short clips there appears to be evidence that Ms. Schiavo responds to her mother and is able to distinguish her mother form other persons who interact with her. There is also evidence of sustained visual pursuit, which is the clip where she is following the balloon. These behaviors indicate awareness of the environment, and this type of behavior distinguishes minimally conscious state (MCS) from persistent vegetative state (PVS)
The definition and diagnosis criteria for minimally conscious state were published in “Neurology” in February 2002.
Food and water should be offered to patients in the ordinary way in the case where artificial nutrition and hydration are being terminated. Providing food and water in the natural way, by mouth, constitutes “ordinary care” not “treatment.” Ordinary, comfort care should always be provided irrespective of instructions regarding “limitation of treatment”
Medical Affidavit
March 4, 2005
Richard Weidman M.D. Head Physicial U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing Washington D.C.
I have not physically examined Terri Schiavo, however I base my opinions on my extensive experiences with my mother, who had Alzheimer’s dsease and a sever decrease in cerebral tissue, whom I personally cared for for over twenty years. I have read articles and seen pictures of Terri Schiavo on the news and on the Internet.
Based on my observations and experiences, Terri Schiavo is not in a persistent vegetative state. Someone in a persistent vegetative state has no cortical activity and would not be able to smile or cognitively respond to external stimuli, and Mrs. Schiavo is able to do both.