Deeply profound headline...?

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nurnord

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This literally made my jaw drop, if this is not the ULTIMATE example of despair and frustration, I do not know what is...

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091123/twl-man-trapped-in-23-year-coma-was-cons-3fd0ae9.html

What are your thoughts ?
Lucille - exactly, this is point blank, cold and straight LIFE - real and tragic.
 
This is life imitating art. There is a wonderful book, "Johnny Got His Gun", about a many named Joe Bonham, a young soldier serving in World War I, who awakens in a hospital bed after being caught in the blast of an exploding artillery shell. He gradually realizes that he has lost his arms, legs, and face, but that his mind functions perfectly, leaving him a prisoner in his own body. He tries to die by suffocating himself but he has been given a tracheotomy, which he cannot remove or control. He successfully attempts to communicate with his doctors by banging his head on his pillow in Morse code. His wish is that he may be put in a glass box and tour the country, to show people the true horrors of war. His wish is never granted, however, and it is implied that he will live the rest of his natural life in this condition.

As he drifts between reality and fantasy, he remembers his old life with his family and girlfriend, and reflects upon the myths and realities of war. He also forms a bond, of sorts, with a young nurse who senses his plight. It really is a must-read.
 
You'd think that, with all the new technology available, doctors would have made a better effort to communicate or would have at least ordered periodic brain scans to detect activity.

I think this borders on malpractice. It's certainly a case of medical carelessness and indifference.
 
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