Medical Affidavit
March 4, 2005
Pamela Hyink S.L.P. Speech Language Pathologist Private Practice Bouler Colorado
Practicing Therapist for 35 Years
I have not seen Mrs. Schiavo, but in the videos that I have seen of her on the Internet, it is apparent to me that she is communicating. At least she seems to be making attempts to communicate. We usually consider talking to be the only means of communication, but facial expressions and body language communicate too. There seems to be a lot of communication going on with Mrs. Schiavo.
Medical Affidavit
March 3, 2005
Jill Joyce Ph.D., LMFT, SLP-CCC Licensed psychotherapist and speech/language pathologist.
Worked extensively with severly brain-damaged people for over 20 years, did research, wrote a book, about memory loss and taught university classes over the last 10 years.
I have also read articles and seen videotapes of Ms. Schiavo over the Internet, from which I am able to render an educated opinion.
Based on my observations and experience, it is my opinion that Ms. Schiavo would be able to learn how to swallow if given the proper therapy. I have personally treated stroke patients, and other patients with sever brain damage similar to Ms. Schiavo’s that have regained their ability to swallow after being given proper therapy.
I have seen several patents that are in a persistent vegetative state. I have also seen other patients that were diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state, and I saw several of those patients come back to a cognitive state when given proper therapy. Based on my experience, I know the difference between someone in a persistent vegetative state and someone who is not in this state. It is my opinion that Ms. Schiavo is not in a persistent vegetative state.