Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Steve Bowers notes the similarities and differences between these two women
So what’s the difference between Sara Scantlin’s “vegetative state” and Terri Schiavo’s vegetative state? Not a whole hell of a lot. Sara responded to stimuli such as light and sound just as Terri does. Anyone who’s paid attention to Schiavo’s case recently has seen the video that shows her clearly responding to her mother entering the room by smiling and following her with her eyes. It’s said that before she woke up and started to talk, Sara Scantlin responded similarly to such stimuli. The truth is that doctors really don’t know what goes on inside the brain of a person who has been rendered unconscious by severe head trauma or brain damage which is one of the other reasons Terri’s parents cite for wanting to keep her alive. From looking at these two cases you can tell that the term “vegetative state” is more of a question of convenience than it is a practical medical definition.
There are many similarities in the two cases to be sure. But there are also several differences between the Schiavo and Scantlin cases. Sara was 18 when she was struck by a drunk driver and rendered comatose – a kid. She wasn’t married to a domineering and controlling husband as Schiavo was rumored to be. The reason for Sara’s brain damage is known. The reason for Terri’s isn’t as clear. It could be oxygen deprivation due to an eating disorder or it could be from the rumored abuse of a jealous and controlling husband. One thing for certain: They didn’t find evidence of abuse healing on Sara’s body as they did on Terri’s body a year or so after she slipped into a coma. Throughout her 20 years of unconsciousness, her family made sure Sara was constantly stimulated by TV, radio and human contact. She apparently remembers many details such as old friend’s and family member’s names and vivid details of her life 20 years ago even though she has a hard time understanding how old she is. Terri hasn’t been as lucky. For the past several years, her “guardian” has prohibited any such stimulation of any kind even though this type of stimulation has been shown in recent years to be a key to recovery for these types of patients. And the major difference between the Scantlin and Schiavo cases: Sara Scantlin didn’t have a “guardian” hell bent on killing her. Terri Schiavo does.
Do not let the sun go down on Terri's life without telling the world about the evil men will do hiding behind the name of good. Killing disabled people becasue we don't like their quality of life is an evil. Killing them in the particularly painful way of dehydration, something you couldn't do to an animal, is abhorrent.
So what’s the difference between Sara Scantlin’s “vegetative state” and Terri Schiavo’s vegetative state? Not a whole hell of a lot. Sara responded to stimuli such as light and sound just as Terri does. Anyone who’s paid attention to Schiavo’s case recently has seen the video that shows her clearly responding to her mother entering the room by smiling and following her with her eyes. It’s said that before she woke up and started to talk, Sara Scantlin responded similarly to such stimuli. The truth is that doctors really don’t know what goes on inside the brain of a person who has been rendered unconscious by severe head trauma or brain damage which is one of the other reasons Terri’s parents cite for wanting to keep her alive. From looking at these two cases you can tell that the term “vegetative state” is more of a question of convenience than it is a practical medical definition.
There are many similarities in the two cases to be sure. But there are also several differences between the Schiavo and Scantlin cases. Sara was 18 when she was struck by a drunk driver and rendered comatose – a kid. She wasn’t married to a domineering and controlling husband as Schiavo was rumored to be. The reason for Sara’s brain damage is known. The reason for Terri’s isn’t as clear. It could be oxygen deprivation due to an eating disorder or it could be from the rumored abuse of a jealous and controlling husband. One thing for certain: They didn’t find evidence of abuse healing on Sara’s body as they did on Terri’s body a year or so after she slipped into a coma. Throughout her 20 years of unconsciousness, her family made sure Sara was constantly stimulated by TV, radio and human contact. She apparently remembers many details such as old friend’s and family member’s names and vivid details of her life 20 years ago even though she has a hard time understanding how old she is. Terri hasn’t been as lucky. For the past several years, her “guardian” has prohibited any such stimulation of any kind even though this type of stimulation has been shown in recent years to be a key to recovery for these types of patients. And the major difference between the Scantlin and Schiavo cases: Sara Scantlin didn’t have a “guardian” hell bent on killing her. Terri Schiavo does.
Do not let the sun go down on Terri's life without telling the world about the evil men will do hiding behind the name of good. Killing disabled people becasue we don't like their quality of life is an evil. Killing them in the particularly painful way of dehydration, something you couldn't do to an animal, is abhorrent.
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