I despise the term "vegetative state" as well. Even IF Terri were braindead, and she isn't, to call any human being a vegetable is disgusting. Dead or alive we were graced with souls. We will never be pieces of rotting produce.
Me too...I hate the name 'vegetable' for any human being!
Vegetative, the word, refers to basic life urges. Not to vegetables really. For instance vegetative signs of depression are inability to sleep, eat, slowed motor functions.