Thank you for this great post. Most of us know someone, often a relative, who have suffered something similar to Terri's condition. With therapy and good care, most have lived productive lives. I have one uncle who improves daily after his serious stroke, and is showing signs of bringing his left side into play along with his right side. For months, he could not speak, and someone might have mistaken him for being "vegetative."
And I had another uncle who was in a coma for good while. When he emerged, he could barely speak, and couldn't swallow. That continued until his death, years later, from something else entirely (a fall). Until that time, he gardened, puttered around in his woodshop, and delighted us with funny stories and tales of years gone by.
But it should be noted that after his 2nd week of being in a coma, it was suggested that we make arrangements to "pull the plug"--he was receiving help with breathing, etc. The family (especially my aunt!) was horrified, and flatly refused--and sure enough, he came out of it.
How can anyone who has experienced this in their own lives come out and say, "Let the woman die" about Terri? How about, "Give her a chance to live"???