Replies

Medical Affidavit
February 22, 2005
Philip R. Kennedy M.D. PhD.
I am a neuroscientist and neurologist and the leader in the field of recoding brain signals from human subjects. I earned my M.D. (MB, BCh, BAO) at the National University of Ireland in 1972, my F.R.C.S.I (equivalent of General Surgery Boards) at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1976, and Ph.D. in Physiology (Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy) at the Northwestern University in Chicago Illinois in 1983 as well as a Neurology Residency at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta Georgia in 1997.

In my 32 years of biomedical research and development, I have collaborated with leading neuroscientists and other medical professionals from institutions such as Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Emory University, the national Instituites of Health, and the Veterans Administration as well as private companies in my field.
Etc. etc. etc.

Based on what I know about terri Schiavo’s current condition, I strongly recommend that she be allowed the opportunity fo be examined through the use of an fMRI. Beyond the fMRI, there are several other recent advances in medical treatment and technology, which may benefit Terri Schiavo. There are newer technologies since what was available in 2002 that will allow us to determine if Terri Schiavo can be assessed for signs of cortical function. There are also technologies that we have developed for providing this communication even for “locked-in” patients.

Medical Affidavit
March 4, 2005
Kyle Lakas M.S., C.C.C., S.L.P., Speech Language Pathologist (S.L.P.) Hospitals and Nursing homes in Abilene Texas.

I spend a large amount of time providing swallowing therapy.
I base my opinions on my unique knowledge and experience working with patients in similar condition.

It is my opinion that a patient can never have too much therapy, at any stage. Without giving Ms. Schiavo therapy, she does not have a chance to improve. She deserves at least six months of five day a week therapy to see if she can progress at all. There is a relatively new swallowing therapy called VitalStim. It is an electro-therapy used to re-strengthen the throat muscles. It trains throat uscls to function again, by using small electrical currents to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. The success rate for VitalStim has been huge. This therapy was approved by the FDA in 1977, however, it has only been widely publicized and recognized as vry successful treatment within the past several years.

I was certified to use VitalStim in October 2004, and I use this therapy on a number of the patients I work with at the hospital and residential care. The success rate is overwhelming.