… The truth behind organ donation & organ transplants
A car accident victim who spent 19 years in a coma finally spoke to his mother and began to make an amazing recovery. Terry Wallis, a young husband and parent, suffered severe injuries in a car accident in 1984, which sheared the nerve connections to his brain, and left him in a “minimally conscious state” or coma. He was also made a quadriplegic by these injuries. His case was considered “hopeless” and potential treatment too expensive for his family.
But his parents refused to give up on him and his mother made regular visits during his rehabilitation in Arkansas. After 19 years he finally mouthed the word "Mom" to her.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation has published research on Terry’s case, which shows that his brain “grew new tiny nerve connections over time, creating a new nerve network to replace the old one that was severely damaged”. Doctors at the Rehabilitiation Centre in Mountain View, Arkansas, believe that his recovery was aided by the “mental therapy” of regular visits and outings with his family. He tells his family that he is glad to be alive.
As the author, Peter J. Smith points out, this case calls into question the readiness of doctors to write people off because of severe brain injuries or supposed “brain death”. It clearly demonstrates that patients can recuperate from severe brain injuries, if they receive suitable care and treatment.
(Based on the story of Terry Wallis in “Coma Recovery After 19 Years Poses Questions About Terri Schiavo” by Peter J. Smith, Mountain View, Arkansas, July 4, 2006 for LifeSiteNews.com. Viewed Dec 20, 2010 at: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive/ldn/2006/jul/06070409 )