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.
Medical Affidavit
March 3, 2005
Richard Neubauer M.D. PA, Medical director of the Clinical Baromedical Center, Inc. dba Ocean Hyperbaric Neurologic Center Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. Largest Hyperbaric Neurologic center in the country.
I specialize only in neurologic problems. I deal with the recoverable brain. I have treated many cases of cerebral palsy, late manifestations of stroke, and traumatic brain injuries, as well as anoxic oncephalophy.
I have extensive experience dealing with cases like Ms. Schiavo. I have treated patients all over the world and shown substantial improvement in these patients. I once trated a patient who was in a coma for fourteen years. He became a unctioning member of society.
There have been many medical and technological advances in just the past few years in the evaluation and treatment of traumatic brain injury. I recommend that a Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography scan be done on Ms. Schiavo to test the current status of blood flow and metabolism in the brain. This should be done as a baseline. She should then receive a trial of 20 and 40 hyperbaric oxygen treatments at 1.5 ATA and a repeat SPECT scan performed. Frequently, this will show areas of improved flow and metabolism, known as the Ischemic penumbra, and area of dormant idling meurons receiving enough oxygen to exist, but not enough to fire electrically. Should improved flow and metabolism be noted, a multi-disciplinary program would be mandatory consisting of hyperbaric oxygen in conjunction with PT, OT, speech, appropriate nutrition, neuro feedback, herbal medication, acupuncture etc. A SPECT scan is the ultimate form of brain death assessment. It far supersedes the flat EEG or actual blood flow study.
A neurologist (such as Dr. William Hammesfehr) should be consulted and could determine whether or not he would perhaps agree that the SPECT scan with trial of hyperbaric oxygenation would be indicated to ascertain viable and potentially recoverable brain tissue. PVS is not a manifestation or death. Please not the recent news release of a young woman who spontaneously fully awoke from a coma (PVS) and begaon talking and responding after 20 years in a vegetative state.