“We may have to rethink these people that have been called vegetative in nursing homes who may have some awareness of their horrible circumstances,” said Dr. Bjork. “It goes against the grain of what we thought.”
Dr. Bjork said that he had been skeptical of Ms. Smith’s previous reports of her daughter’s waking states, but that he was now a believer. He said Ms. Lilly was in a “minimally conscious state” rather than a persistent vegetative state.
Brief Awakening From a Coma (fully conscious for 3 days after six years then relapses)
8mm
GLENVIEW, Illinois, March 8, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The leading US authority on palliative care has adopted a position of “studied neutrality” on the issue of physician-assisted suicide, following on the heels of a similar statement released by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association in November.
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine released a policy statement following approval by the AAHPM board of directors on Feb.14, 2007.
“The AAHPM recognizes that deep disagreement persists regarding the morality of PAD,” the document states. “Sincere, compassionate, morally conscientious individuals stand on either side of this debate. AAHPM takes a position of ‘studied neutrality’ on the subject of whether PAD should be legally regulated or prohibited, believing its members should instead continue to strive to find the proper response to those patients whose suffering becomes intolerable despite the best possible palliative care.”
US Palliative Care Academy Drops Opposition to Assisted Suicide
8mm