(12) "Persistent vegetative state" means a permanent and irreversible condition of unconsciousness in which there is:
(a) The absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of any kind.
(b) An inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment.
Was Dr. Ronald Cranford part of the environment? Terri voluntarily and cognitively interacted with him and he complimented her for it. She was, of course, far more responsive to people she knew and liked.
I guess some people just can't understand that she was going to be less than cheerful around her adulterous "husband" and his band of ghouls who were complaining that she wasn't dying.