“Yes. Her use of the word “stop!” shows up on her med charts and she could say a few other words. The nurses reported on that. But in Michael’s long regime of denying her therapy or even stimulation, Terri stopped verbalizing. I gather that she did make expressive sounds, but no longer tried words. Pat Anderson (the attorney) speaks movingly of her husband’s effort, years later, to correct that and get Terri verbalizing again. He taught her to the equivalent of “yes” and “no,” at least with some success. He took it especially hard when Terri was put to death not long afterward. They both did. I, for one, wish Pat Anderson were still speaking about the case. She is an encyclopedia about Terri’s story and the law.”
I wish talk shows would have Pat Anderson on their show as a guest. It’s too late for Terri, but not for other disabled folks who cannot speak for themselves.
Terri would say “stop” and “no!” because the rehab docs were hurting her. They didn’t ascertain first whether she had physical problems or injuries that would prevent the exercises. I’m pretty sure this was the situation that led to Dr. Walker’s bone scan and the discovery of highly suspicious patterns of healing bone tissue. In a 12-year-old girl, the pattern is specific for abuse. It isn’t conclusive in a 26-year-old woman, but it ought to put any doctor on alert (including Dr. Thogmartin).