Posted on 07/05/2006 6:14:19 AM PDT by NYer
Mountain View, Arkansas, July 4, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – On Monday The Journal of Clinical Investigation published new research on the recovery of a brain damaged man from his 19 years in a minimally conscious state, adding to the growing evidence that those with “hopelessly” severe brain injuries may be able to recuperate with therapy or other kinds of assistance.
The Journal’s research focuses on the sudden recovery of Terry Wallis, who experienced a car wreck in 1984 when he was 19 years old. The accident sheared the nerve connections in his brain, putting him in a minimally conscious state (MCS) and rendering him a quadriplegic. Terry, a young husband with a newborn child, was considered a hopeless case, especially considering that his family could not pay the $120,000 needed to consult a neurologist about any possibility of recovery. However in 2003, during one of the regular visits of his mother, who had regularly visited him at the Rehabilitation Centre in Mountain View, Arkansas, he made what seemed a sudden recovery, and spoke “mom”, his first word in 19 years.
The research indicates that Terry’s brain grew new tiny nerve connections over time, creating a new nerve network to replace the old one that was severely damaged in the car accident. While doctors and neurologists are still baffled as to ‘why’ Terry recovered, the doctors at the rehabilitation centre have indicated that Terry’s recovery might be attributed to the visits of his family, who took him out on weekends and special occasions. This may have acted as a mental therapy to help his brain recover.
“He now seems exactly like his old self,” says Jerry Wallis, Terry’s father. Over the 19 years of Terry’s coma, both Jerry and his mother Angilee had doubts at some time or another about whether or not it was better for Terry to be alive. However, now both are glad they never caved into those doubts. Since then they have seen their son make strides in his recovery with the ambition of walking for his daughter. “He very often tells us how glad he is to be alive,” says Terry’s father.
Terry Wallis’ remarkable recovery after 19 years, however, stands in stark opposition to the case of Terri Schindler-Schiavo, who received no therapy from her philandering husband after her 1990 collapse. She was instead dehydrated to death by court order in March 2005. Although some doctors claim that Terri Schiavo could not have made Terry Wallis’ recovery since she was in a persistent vegetative state (PVS), witnesses such as former nurse Carla Iyer maintained that with therapy, Schiavo, who said words like “mommy, help me”, could have indeed recovered over time.
New research on the ability of the brain to recover over time questions the hastiness of many in the medical profession to condemn patients as irreversibly brain-dead or damaged. Back in May, South African researchers discovered a drug that helps PVS patients temporarily recover to a fully conscious state. In a BBC interview Dr. Ralf Clauss, a scientist in nuclear medicine and one of the drug researchers, stated that “For every damaged area of the brain, there is a dormant area, which seems to be a sort of protective mechanism. The damaged tissue is dead, there’s nothing you can do,” he explained. “But it’s the dormant areas which ‘wake up’.”
(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)
The questions about Terry Schiavo were posed before - Michael got the judge in Florida to authorize a murder.
At the very least it was abuse. All forms of therapy were withdrawn before it was shown to be effective, and withholding of food was the last exercise of that abuse.
But Terri Schiavo? "C'mon! It's not like she's going to get better! No doubt about it! Cut off the food!"
The Left truly is a culture of death.
"Terri Schiavo suffered severe, irreversible brain damage that left that organ discolored and scarred, shriveled to half its normal size, and damaged in nearly all its regions, including the one responsible for vision, according to an autopsy report released yesterday.
"Although the meticulous postmortem examination could not determine the mental state of the Florida woman, who died March 31 after a judicial and legislative battle over her "right to die," it did establish the permanence of her physical condition." WaPo June 16, 2005
As much as many want to rehash Terri's tragic ordeal, the basis for one man's recovery isn't the template for all who suffer brain damage. The brain is an amazing organ and where some recover some don't. For those to say that this guy's miracle shows that Terry could have recovered are just plain irresponsible.
So, there may be hope for Jeb Bush? Naaaahhh! /sarcasm off
Yes, I saw that on tv the other night and my first thought was of Terri. She was on the path to recovery (or at least some recovery), but that a-h Michael denied family visits and in fact denied all stimulation and would ask the nurses if "that bitch is dead, yet".
May those in Washington who voted against Terri hear this day in and day out.
Didn't you just contradict yourself? For those to say that this guy's miracle shows that Terry might not have recovered are just plain irresponsible.
The most expensive piece of medical equipment ever invented was the feeding tube.
It's all about the Benjamins.
As much as many want to rehash Terri's tragic ordeal, the basis for one man's recovery isn't the template for all who suffer brain damage. The brain is an amazing organ and where some recover some don't. For those to say that this guy's miracle shows that Terry could have recovered are just plain irresponsible.
***
True. One of the local tv stations interviewed a major neurosurgeon in these parts and he said that people who are in a persistent vegetative state, such as Mrs. Schiavo presumably was in, would not have that chance for recovery. This particular patient did have some established cognizant ability and that may be why he was able to recover at least somewhat, while Mrs. Schiavo did not. Of course, there is some disagreement over whether Mrs. Schiavo was indeed in a persistent vegetative state. And as was stated, since medical science's knowledge of the brain and how it works is really about as large as the head of a pin, any statement that a person in a PVS would not recover is still a lot of speculation and guesswork.
I agree that no one knows if she was in a persistent vegetative state or not. However, most people convicted of murder sit on death row longer than Terri was in the hospital. Terri's only crime was marrying and abusive a-h who found a way to legally murder her. And that quote on her tombstone, "I kept my promise"? Gee what promise was that? Could it have been "I'm going to kill you"?
Since when is one's right to live based on the potential for recovery?
Kudos, Knotts! Was thinking the same thing m'self!
Could you add me? Thanks
Where's the 'eggplant' dude?
Terri was murdered.
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