Straight Up with Sherri

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Terri Has Been Denied the Medical Care She NEEDS and DESERVES!


I found this at HyScience:


Misdiagnosis of the vegetative state: retrospective study in a rehabilitation unit
The key messages that can be derived from this study include:


1. Many patients who are misdiagnosed as being in the vegetative state are blind or have severe visual handicap; thus lack of eye blink to threat or absence of visual tracking are not reliable signs for diagnosing the vegetative state.

2. Any motor activity, no matter how slight, that can be used for communication by the profoundly disabled patient should be identified at an early stage and repeated at regular intervals.

3. Identification of awareness in the presence of profound and complex neurological disabilities requires the skills of a multidisciplinary team experienced in long term management of disability due to brain damage.


None of these things have been done for Terri Schiavo!

This study that has important implications in the Terri Schiavo case, was undertaken to identify the number of patients who were misdiagnosed as being in the vegetative state and their characteristics, a retrospective study of the clinical records of the medical, occupational therapy, and clinical psychology departments was conducted in a 20 bed unit specialising in the rehabilitation of patients with profound brain damage, including the vegetative state.
In the study, it was determined that of the 40 patients referred as being in the vegetative state, 17 (43%) were considered as having been misdiagnosed; seven of these had been presumed to be vegetative for longer than one year, including three for over four years. Most of the misdiagnosed patients were blind or severely visually impaired. All patients remained severely physically disabled, but nearly all were able to communicate their preference in quality of life issues--some to a high level.

The results of the study indicate that the vegetative state needs considerable skill to diagnose, requiring assessment over a period of time; diagnosis cannot be made, even by the most experienced clinician, from a bedside assessment. Accurate diagnosis is possible but requires the skills of a multidisciplinary team experienced in the management of people with complex disabilities. Recognition of awareness is essential if an optimal quality of life is to be achieved and to avoid inappropriate approaches to the courts for a declaration for withdrawal of tube feeding.
Cross posted at
BlogsForTerri


YOU CAN HELP HER! YOU CAN BE A PART OF LITERALLY SAVING SOMEONE'S LIFE!
TERRI DOES NOT WANT TO DIE!

See below for details.......

7 Comments:

  • After visiting the website about Terri and reading the stories there. I truly beieve that the best possible thing to do for Terri is to let her go home with her family who will love her and care for her until her last days. The husband has moved on and started another family, so he should let her parents take care of her now. Maybe being around her family might make her better or help ease her pain adn ensure a peaceful journev to the after-life.

    D00595130
    Andrew

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:00 AM  

  • This is heartbreaking, frustrating..inhumane.
    She certainly needs our prayers, our emails, phone calls, whatever time that can be spared.
    Certainly having the love of her family to support her in this challenging time can make a wonderful difference...no one wants to face their mortality alone. It seems to me that creating as good a quality of life for Terri is the first and easiest effort. Life is strong...undeniable...forceful...
    and a blessing.
    Thank you Sherri for bringing this young woman to our attention, and for your compassion and dedication to those who cannot fight for themselves.

    By Blogger Contemporary History, at 11:32 AM  

  • I have e-mailed a letter to all of the above listed newspapers, editors, senators etc. Anyone that I thought would have some sway, I voiced my opinion for Terri's salvation. She's a living, feeling person and doesn't need to go through this torture. It would be more humane to shoot her. Please, everyone, do what you can to stop this travesty. You could very well be in this person situation.
    Thanks..Russell

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:20 AM  

  • This is story that brings tears to my eyes.People who walk around healthy every day do not have the love and support that Terri is receiving. She is so blessed to have a family who wants her with them.Since her husband has moved on and started another family he should be willing to step aside and let her parents take care of her,But if it were myself I would prefer to be in heaven with my God then put my loved ones through this. This woman deserves to be at peace.But let her be with her family during her final days.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:52 PM  

  • hum 410

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:53 PM  

  • hum 410 lj30988

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:55 PM  

  • This is story that brings tears to my eyes.People who walk around healthy every day do not have the love and support that Terri is receiving. She is so blessed to have a family who wants her with them.Since her husband has moved on and started another family he should be willing to step aside and let her parents take care of her,But if it were myself I would prefer to be in heaven with my God then put my loved ones through this. This woman deserves to be at peace.But let her be with her family during her final days.
    hum410d30988

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:57 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home