Just to clarify, I *WANT* to believe Terri is cognitive. I want her to revive. I don't want her to die. However, the facts I've seen simply don't support the belief she is cognitive and there's a chance she will recover.
Here's my problem with all of this. *IF* these are all true; why is it no court has EVER sided with Terri's parents and why is it all the court-appointed experts can find no trace of cognitive ability? I find it hard to believe not one court has ever concluded Terri is NOT in a PVS. I've even read the report of one of the court-appointed guardians.
I saw the tapes Terri's parents put out and it was obvious to me how the scenes were staged. Her mother holds her head directly in front of her face. Have you tried putting your face nearly nose-to-nose with someone and focus on the other? Her father stands in front of where Terri's face is and carries on a conversation when she's making noises and grunts. How do we know she doesn't always make such noises when they're not there or not having such a "conversation"?
That's the problem with just viewing a small clip of a videotape. It allows for highly edited and selective portions to support one's position. Those appointed by the courts who have spent MONTHS with Terri have ALL concluded she does NOT try to communicate and there is NO evidence of cognitive ability. Her eyes don't even focus on moving objects (IIRC).
Why do you think the neurologists who have actually examined her have all concluded she is in a PVS? The only ones who have claimed otherwise never examined her in person (again, IIRC) but only made such an observation by viewing the video her parents have put out. Even then, it was tentative pending examination.
Please clarify your claim about her ability to swallow. All I've seen were conclusions she was incapable of swallowing.
Thank you for your excellant post.
Nurse: Terri Can Eat Normally NewsMax.com
Dr. William Hammesfahr: Unlikely Terri Needs Feeding Tube
But then again you have seen the tapes of Terri. Did you notice she never drools? If she could not swallow, she would drool excessively.
Another question. If she cannot swallow why did the courts in Florida not just order the removal of the feeding tube instead of ordering the stop of all food and water to Terri?