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Recently, a group of surgeons restored the consciousness of a man who had been in a "minimally conscious state" for six years, unable to communicate.
The experiment, led by Ali Rezai, involved implanting two electrodes into his brain.
Joseph Giacino, co-leader of the study, recently stated in the National Catholic Register that "the breakthrough raises questions about Terri Schiavo," adding that "his patient's circumstances were different than Schiavo's."
In 1991, my sister, Terri, had a similar procedure. This has prompted some doctors to insist that Terri's procedure failed, implying that her brutal death was somehow justified.
Unfortunately, Terri's experimental implants were done 16 years ago and, therefore, did not include the most recent technology.
In addition, comparing the pictures of Terri's procedure, one can see that this patient's electrodes were placed differently, not to mention that his device (again by the pictures) was also different.
Most importantly, however, is that the doctor involved with Terri's implantations believed that it was working and suggested that she be moved to Shands Hospital, to deliver the rehabilitation that she needed. (This is documented in court records in a statement made by Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband.)
Perhaps, as Rezai said, his patient's circumstances were different. Even so, there is now a procedure that can restore the ability of severely brain-injured people to speak and eat. Some have begun to ask themselves if Terri should have been given this opportunity as well.
The truth is that Terri was a healthy woman who merely had a disability. She could have lived for many years if only my family was permitted to care for her, which is why we tried to follow the advice of countless doctors and pursue rehabilitation.
Tragically, in the years that followed, there was only a concerted effort to remove Terri's food and water, which ultimately resulted in her horrific death by dehydration.
While it is too late for Terri, there are tens of thousands of brain-injured people who could potentially be helped. That is why we at the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation are working to protect the lives of these people.
Even as medical advances are made, the basic questions remain: How do we decide who deserves to be cared for and who does not? Where do we draw the line?
The value placed on life should be based upon the inherent dignity of every person, not dependent upon changing technology.
Breakthrough for brain-injured
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