Base brain function, meaning the lowest function a brain can perform while still being a live, functioning brain is to simply keep the body's major organs functioning, which includes breathing.
That function was clearly there in the Schiavo case despite brain atrophy and shrinkage. Anything else is cognitive function and IIRC (I may not ....) the jury was out on whether or not she had any cognitive function.
Still, base brain function was there supporting her body's ability to sustain itself provided intravenous feeding.
It's unfortunate that her case was far ahead of what modern medicine was able to test, examine for and base conclusions on at that time. If she were alive today, her case may still be ahead of what modern medicine can test for and base conclusions on.
We're still learning so much about how the brain functions and even at times, heals itself.
Her cheating husband had two kids with his mistress, while spending ALL the insurance money awarded her for her palliative care, on lawyers in attempting to get the State to kill her, and to help usher in a “means test” for right to life.
He and his ghoulish pro-eugenics political death squad, won.
Jeb Bush allowed it.
I absolutely do recall correctly.
Because I was there, protesting outside her hospice,(which wasn't a legal place for her to be housed), each time the State of Florida allowed a court to order her forcible starvation and dehydration,up until the last time.
I had moved to another state.
"Somewhat unique" is one way to describe her “case”.
"Court ordered execution" is the only true and correct phrase.