After 10 years, brain-damaged Buffalo-area fireman makes astounding recovery (Schiavo Parallel?)

CBC ^

[Recovering_Democrat]

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Ten years after a firefighter was left brain-damaged and mostly mute during a 1995 roof collapse, he did something that shocked his family and doctors: He perked up.

"I want to talk to my wife," Donald Herbert said out of the blue Saturday. Staff members of the nursing home where he has lived for more than seven years raced to get Linda Herbert on the telephone.

It was the first of many conversations the 44-year-old patient had with his wife, four sons and other family and friends during a 14-hour stretch, said Herbert's uncle, Simon Manka.

"How long have I been away?" Herbert asked.

"We told him almost 10 years," the uncle said. "He thought it was only three months."

[DManA]

She's dead. No point continuing the lies.

[twigs]

No. I guess it may seem like that to those without faith who listen to us talk. We do believe in miracles, but it doesn't follow that God only does them to those He loves and doesn't to those He doesn't. If that was the case, then we would have the control that only God has. We would all be little gods. There's lots of mysteries about our God and sometimes all of us approach them like a bull in a china shop. I'm not trying to start a theological thread here, but I didn't want the mistaken impression to stand. I think a lot of people of faith too often deal with these mysteries too lightly. Myself included.

[the invisib1e hand]

parallel? I can think of one glaring difference.

[HairOfTheDog]

*snort* ;~D

[Puddleglum]

We only think this sman is talking. Actually, it's just the reflexive firing of neurons that, to the untrained eye, make him seem conscious. For that matter, the reporter who wrote this story only seems conscious, and is actually just a sort of biological machine whose "consciousness" is nothing more than some sparks of electricity amidst an ocean of grey matter. That goes for most readers as well. Only the Party's Ministry of Consciousness can tell who has authentic personhood, and who is just a bio-bot. You'd be surprised how many people aren't actually people at all.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Thanks for clearing that up. I mean, if I really am capable of understanding what your neurons seem to be trying to communicate, albeit unconciously.

[Slyfox]

What lies? I read the medical reports.

[BlueMondaySkipper]

Actually, it's just the reflexive firing of neurons that, to the untrained eye, make him seem conscious.

Sort of like John sKerry??

[PistolPaknMama]

ping!

[Slyfox]

Terri was able to walk with assistance in between those parallel bar-like things they have in rehab settings. Go to the original Terri website. You may have to scoot around it a bit.

[Saundra Duffy]

Terri's quality of life could have been greatly improved if only the HINO had been a decent human being. I miss her.

[American Quilter]

LOL!

[wk4bush2004]

I have. God has a plan for everyone.

[dmz]

Without a doubt, were a story to be posted about a woman fainting from the heat during an opera performance, the first response would be "good thing she wasn't married to Michael Schiavo".

[wk4bush2004]

God doesn't hate anybody.

[Phantom Lord]

God doesn't hate anybody.

When ever an athlete in an individual sport, or a team wins a major championship they always thank God and/or Jesus.

Just once I would like to see them blame God and claim he was rooting for the other team.

[Puddleglum]

Actually, we pretty well knew the extent of her injuries. Nothing but her brainstem was left. Her EEG was flat. A skull full of spinal fluid can not miraculously grow back in to a functioning brain. There was no hope.

There you go again, Shaitan, flapping your neurons like it was something special. The Party's Ministers are on to you, silly devil-named lad.

[brytlea]

Without a doubt, were a story to be posted about a woman fainting from the heat during an opera performance, the first response would be "good thing she wasn't married to Michael Schiavo".
And, wouldn't it be true?
susie