Brain Injury Law Blog : Head Injury : Coma : Personal Injury : Las Vegas Nevada Lawyer & Attorney Tim Titolo

Philicia L. Deckard, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Illinois, asked me to forward this note onto you blog recipients.

Please visit our website, www.biail.org for information regarding today's press conference with Governor Blagojevich, Director Tammy Duckworth of Illinois Veterans' Affairs, and Director Barry Maram of Illinois Healthcare and Family Services. They announced the new program, Illinois Warriors Assistance Program, which is the first of its kind in the nation. The Brain Injury Association of Illinois has been active in the development and implementation of this program, and were invited guests for today's press conference. Twenty -seven states have already inquired about this program and how it might be developed in their states.

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Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind. (9th CD), has issued the following news release:

"Americans were shocked to learn one year ago of a crisis in care for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan," Hill added. "America can do better, and this historic funding increase, paired with our Wounded Warriors Act reforms, puts us on the right track for America's veterans."

With the release of these funds, the 110th Congress has provided an extra $6.7 billion over last year for the largest single funding increase in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This funding is primarily aimed at:

* X Strengthening quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, in the 5th year of the war in Iraq;

* X Investing in much-needed maintenance for VA health care facilities and treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury for returning veterans;

* X Reducing the backlog of veterans (400,000 claims) waiting for their earned benefits by adding 1,800 claims processors.

* X Building on the first steps by this Congress at the beginning of 2007 - increasing veterans' health care and benefits by $5.2 billion for improved care and shorter waiting lines for veterans waiting 177 days to receive their earned benefits.

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American Association of Justice Winter Convention in San Juan is conducting a specialized program on Traumatic Brain Injury.  The conference is currently underway featuring speakers Douglas Scheff, Dr. Joseph Wu, Timothy Titolo, Deborah Nelson and Bruce Stern. Ruth Bernstein moderating.

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BIAA policy corner coordinator Laura Schiebelhut asked to post this latest legislative update.

The Senate passed this week a slightly revised version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 4986), following House approval of the same bill last week. Important wounded warrior provisions related to TBI care remain unchanged in the new version, which President Bush is expected to sign into law shortly.

Also this week, negotiations ensued over an economic stimulus package, resulting in a bipartisan agreement by the week’s end. BIAA signed on to a coalition letter urging House and Senate leaders to raise Medicaid reimbursement to states.

In addition, on Tuesday, Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) unveiled, “Guidelines for Assisting Those with Accessibility Needs,” a manual designed to make congressional offices more accessible to individuals with disabilities. BIAA helped provide suggestions for the guide, which was distributed to all House and Senate offices.

Looking ahead, President Bush will deliver his State of the Union Address on Monday, January 28. This will be followed by the release of the President’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2009 on Monday, February 4.

*Distributed by Laura Schiebelhut, BIAA Public Affairs Manager, on behalf of the Brain Injury Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; lschiebelhut@biausa.org

The Policy Corner is made possible by the Adam Williams Initiative, Centre for Neuro Skills, and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain Injury Association of America gratefully acknowledges their support for legislative action.
__________________________________________________________________

Senate Passes Revised Defense Authorization Bill

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a slightly revised version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 4986), following House approval of the same bill last week. Important wounded warrior provisions related to TBI care remain unchanged in the new version, which President Bush is expected to sign into law shortly.

The revised bill contains new language altering a provision in the original bill which expanded the rights of victims to sue foreign governments designated by the State Department as state sponsors of terrorism.

The White House unexpectedly announced on December 28, 2007, that President Bush would not sign the original bill because it included a provision which could allow plaintiffs to freeze Iraq government assets in the United States while their claims against Iraq were being litigated (Iraq was listed as a state sponsor of terrorism under Saddam Hussein’s regime).

One of BIAA’s policy goals for 2008 will be to monitor the implementation of the important TBI provisions contained in this bill. (The December 14, 2007 edition of Policy Corner contains more detailed information on these TBI provisions. You can access this issue, as well as all other archived issues of Policy Corner, by visiting BIAA’s webpage at http://www.biausa.org/policycorner.htm).

Negotiations Ensue Over Economic Stimulus Package

Also this week, negotiations focused on putting together an economic stimulus package, resulting in a bipartisan agreement by the week’s end, although the Senate is expected to possibly bring up further amendments during its consideration of the package in coming weeks.

BIAA signed on to a coalition letter urging House and Senate leaders to temporarily raise Medicaid reimbursement to states in order to prevent states from being forced to make cutbacks in essential state services. Such essential Medicaid services include health care and long-term services and supports, which are often especially important to individuals with disabilities.

BIAA Helps Make Congressional Offices More Accessible

Earlier this week, Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) unveiled, “Guidelines for Assisting Those with Accessibility Needs,” a manual designed to make congressional offices more accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Through the hard work of Robert Demichelis, BIAA helped provide suggestions for the guide, which was distributed to all House and Senate offices.

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The Brain Injury Association of America invites you to its 2008 National Legal Conference. BIAA's Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008 features plenary sessions for all participants followed by separate breakout sessions for plaintiff's attorneys and for defense counsel and claim professionals.

Discover the winning strategies of the nation's most experienced brain injury plantiff's and defense attorneys while learning the science of brain injury from leading medical experts.

Space is limited - don't miss out on the Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008...REGISTER TODAY!
PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008
Registration Open 4:00pm - 7:00pm
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors 7:30am - 8:30am

Opening Remarks 8:30am - 9:00am
Gregory J. O'Shanick, MD
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services, VA
Susan H. Connors
Brain Injury Association of America, VA

Plenary Session 9:00am - 10:00am
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Panel
Robert P. Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY
Gregory J. O'Shanick, MD
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services, VA

Plenary Session 10:15am - 11:15am
Advances in Functional Neuroimaging
Joseph C. Wu, MD
UC Irvine, CA
Timothy R. Titolo, Esq.
Titolo Law Office, NV

Plaintiff's Breakout 11:15am - 12:30pm
Effective Use of Demonstrative Evidence
Thomas W. Malone, Esq.
Malone Law Office, GA
Robert Shepherd
MediVisuals, VA

Defense Breakout 11:15am - 12:30pm
Developing a Theme for the Defense
E. Dale Adkins, III, Esq.
Salsbury, Clements, Bekman, Marder & Adkins, MD

Plenary Session 1:45pm - 3:15pm
Anatomy of the Case: Introduction to the Case
Randall H. Scarlett, Esq.
Scarlett Law Group, CA
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Plenary Session 3:30pm - 4:45pm
Focus Group/Mock Trial Panel
Matt Milano, PhD
Jury Focus, FL
John M. Fitzpatrick, Esq.
Wheeler, Trigg & Kennedy, CO
E. Dale Adkins, III, Esq.
Salsbury, Clements, Bekman, Marder, & Adkins, MD
Philip C. Jacobson, Esq.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. MD
Jeffrey Breit, Esq.
Breit, Drescher & Imprevento, VA

Plenary Session 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Mock Cross & Direct Examination of a Medical Expert
Randall H. Scarlett, Esq.
Scarlett Law Group, CA
Robert Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Opening Reception with Exhibitors 5:45pm - 7:15pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008

Registration and Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors 7:30am - 8:00am

Plaintiff's Breakout 8:00am - 8:30am
Turning Defense Tactics to the Plaintiff's Advantage
Stephen M. Smith, Esq.
Brain Injury Law Center, VA
Michael V. Kaplen, Esq.
DeCaro & Kaplen, NY

Defense Breakout 8:00am - 8:30am
Impact of Bell Atlantic vs. Twombly on Defense of a Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Neuropsychological Testing: How it Benefits the Defense
Robert Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY

Plenary Session 8:30am - 9:30am
Understanding Brain Anatomy
David A. Hovda, PhD
UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, CA

Plaintiff's' Breakout 9:30am - 10:30am
Using Law to Win!
David A. Ball, PhD
JuryWatch, NC

Defense Breakout 9:30am - 10:30am
Defending a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case
David T. Patterson, Esq.
Weston, Hurd, Curley, Patterson & Bush, OH

Plenary Session 10:45am - 11:30am
Effective Advocacy in Mediation
Hon. Robert L. Harris, ret.
Charles G. Monnett, III, Esq.
Charles G. Monnett, III and Associates, NC
Philip C. Jacobson, Esq.
The Travelers Companies, Inc., MD

Plaintiff's Breakout 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Cross Examination of Defense Experts
Dorothy C. Sims, Esq.
Sims, Stakenborg & Henry, FL
David A. Ball, PhD, Esq.
JuryWatch, NC
Defense Breakout 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Trial Strategies
John M. Fitzpatrick, Esq.
Wheeler, Trigg & Kennedy, CO

Plaintiff's Breakout 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Developing the Right Mix of Witnesses
Dianne J. Weaver, Esq.
Harrell & Harrell, PA, Jacksonville, FL
Defense Breakout 3:00pm - 4:00pm
How to Handle the Sympathy Factor
Nicholas McConnell, Esq.
Jackson & Campbell, DC

Plenary Session 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Closing Session
Speaker TBD


The Brain Injury Association of America invites you to its 2008 National Legal Conference. BIAA's Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008 features plenary sessions for all participants followed by separate breakout sessions for plaintiff's attorneys and for defense counsel and claim professionals.

Discover the winning strategies of the nation's most experienced brain injury plantiff's and defense attorneys while learning the science of brain injury from leading medical experts.

Space is limited - don't miss out on the Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008...REGISTER TODAY!
PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008
Registration Open 4:00pm - 7:00pm
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors 7:30am - 8:30am

Opening Remarks 8:30am - 9:00am
Gregory J. O'Shanick, MD
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services, VA
Susan H. Connors
Brain Injury Association of America, VA

Plenary Session 9:00am - 10:00am
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Panel
Robert P. Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY
Gregory J. O'Shanick, MD
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services, VA

Plenary Session 10:15am - 11:15am
Advances in Functional Neuroimaging
Joseph C. Wu, MD
UC Irvine, CA
Timothy R. Titolo, Esq.
Titolo Law Office, NV

Plaintiff's Breakout 11:15am - 12:30pm
Effective Use of Demonstrative Evidence
Thomas W. Malone, Esq.
Malone Law Office, GA
Robert Shepherd
MediVisuals, VA

Defense Breakout 11:15am - 12:30pm
Developing a Theme for the Defense
E. Dale Adkins, III, Esq.
Salsbury, Clements, Bekman, Marder & Adkins, MD

Plenary Session 1:45pm - 3:15pm
Anatomy of the Case: Introduction to the Case
Randall H. Scarlett, Esq.
Scarlett Law Group, CA
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Plenary Session 3:30pm - 4:45pm
Focus Group/Mock Trial Panel
Matt Milano, PhD
Jury Focus, FL
John M. Fitzpatrick, Esq.
Wheeler, Trigg & Kennedy, CO
E. Dale Adkins, III, Esq.
Salsbury, Clements, Bekman, Marder, & Adkins, MD
Philip C. Jacobson, Esq.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. MD
Jeffrey Breit, Esq.
Breit, Drescher & Imprevento, VA

Plenary Session 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Mock Cross & Direct Examination of a Medical Expert
Randall H. Scarlett, Esq.
Scarlett Law Group, CA
Robert Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Opening Reception with Exhibitors 5:45pm - 7:15pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008

Registration and Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors 7:30am - 8:00am

Plaintiff's Breakout 8:00am - 8:30am
Turning Defense Tactics to the Plaintiff's Advantage
Stephen M. Smith, Esq.
Brain Injury Law Center, VA
Michael V. Kaplen, Esq.
DeCaro & Kaplen, NY

Defense Breakout 8:00am - 8:30am
Impact of Bell Atlantic vs. Twombly on Defense of a Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Neuropsychological Testing: How it Benefits the Defense
Robert Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY

Plenary Session 8:30am - 9:30am
Understanding Brain Anatomy
David A. Hovda, PhD
UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, CA

Plaintiff's' Breakout 9:30am - 10:30am
Using Law to Win!
David A. Ball, PhD
JuryWatch, NC

Defense Breakout 9:30am - 10:30am
Defending a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case
David T. Patterson, Esq.
Weston, Hurd, Curley, Patterson & Bush, OH

Plenary Session 10:45am - 11:30am
Effective Advocacy in Mediation
Hon. Robert L. Harris, ret.
Charles G. Monnett, III, Esq.
Charles G. Monnett, III and Associates, NC
Philip C. Jacobson, Esq.
The Travelers Companies, Inc., MD

Plaintiff's Breakout 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Cross Examination of Defense Experts
Dorothy C. Sims, Esq.
Sims, Stakenborg & Henry, FL
David A. Ball, PhD, Esq.
JuryWatch, NC
Defense Breakout 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Trial Strategies
John M. Fitzpatrick, Esq.
Wheeler, Trigg & Kennedy, CO

Plaintiff's Breakout 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Developing the Right Mix of Witnesses
Dianne J. Weaver, Esq.
Harrell & Harrell, PA, Jacksonville, FL
Defense Breakout 3:00pm - 4:00pm
How to Handle the Sympathy Factor
Nicholas McConnell, Esq.
Jackson & Campbell, DC

Plenary Session 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Closing Session
Speaker TBD


The Brain Injury Association of America invites you to its 2008 National Legal Conference. BIAA's Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008 features plenary sessions for all participants followed by separate breakout sessions for plaintiff's attorneys and for defense counsel and claim professionals.

Discover the winning strategies of the nation's most experienced brain injury plantiff's and defense attorneys while learning the science of brain injury from leading medical experts.

Space is limited - don't miss out on the Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008...REGISTER TODAY!
PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008
Registration Open 4:00pm - 7:00pm
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors 7:30am - 8:30am

Opening Remarks 8:30am - 9:00am
Gregory J. O'Shanick, MD
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services, VA
Susan H. Connors
Brain Injury Association of America, VA

Plenary Session 9:00am - 10:00am
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Panel
Robert P. Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY
Gregory J. O'Shanick, MD
Center for Neurorehabilitation Services, VA

Plenary Session 10:15am - 11:15am
Advances in Functional Neuroimaging
Joseph C. Wu, MD
UC Irvine, CA
Timothy R. Titolo, Esq.
Titolo Law Office, NV

Plaintiff's Breakout 11:15am - 12:30pm
Effective Use of Demonstrative Evidence
Thomas W. Malone, Esq.
Malone Law Office, GA
Robert Shepherd
MediVisuals, VA

Defense Breakout 11:15am - 12:30pm
Developing a Theme for the Defense
E. Dale Adkins, III, Esq.
Salsbury, Clements, Bekman, Marder & Adkins, MD

Plenary Session 1:45pm - 3:15pm
Anatomy of the Case: Introduction to the Case
Randall H. Scarlett, Esq.
Scarlett Law Group, CA
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Plenary Session 3:30pm - 4:45pm
Focus Group/Mock Trial Panel
Matt Milano, PhD
Jury Focus, FL
John M. Fitzpatrick, Esq.
Wheeler, Trigg & Kennedy, CO
E. Dale Adkins, III, Esq.
Salsbury, Clements, Bekman, Marder, & Adkins, MD
Philip C. Jacobson, Esq.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. MD
Jeffrey Breit, Esq.
Breit, Drescher & Imprevento, VA

Plenary Session 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Mock Cross & Direct Examination of a Medical Expert
Randall H. Scarlett, Esq.
Scarlett Law Group, CA
Robert Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Opening Reception with Exhibitors 5:45pm - 7:15pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008

Registration and Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors 7:30am - 8:00am

Plaintiff's Breakout 8:00am - 8:30am
Turning Defense Tactics to the Plaintiff's Advantage
Stephen M. Smith, Esq.
Brain Injury Law Center, VA
Michael V. Kaplen, Esq.
DeCaro & Kaplen, NY

Defense Breakout 8:00am - 8:30am
Impact of Bell Atlantic vs. Twombly on Defense of a Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Dwight D. Murray, Esq.
Jordan, Coyne, and Savits, DC

Neuropsychological Testing: How it Benefits the Defense
Robert Granacher, Jr, MD, MBA
Lexington Forensic Institute, KY

Plenary Session 8:30am - 9:30am
Understanding Brain Anatomy
David A. Hovda, PhD
UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, CA

Plaintiff's' Breakout 9:30am - 10:30am
Using Law to Win!
David A. Ball, PhD
JuryWatch, NC

Defense Breakout 9:30am - 10:30am
Defending a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case
David T. Patterson, Esq.
Weston, Hurd, Curley, Patterson & Bush, OH

Plenary Session 10:45am - 11:30am
Effective Advocacy in Mediation
Hon. Robert L. Harris, ret.
Charles G. Monnett, III, Esq.
Charles G. Monnett, III and Associates, NC
Philip C. Jacobson, Esq.
The Travelers Companies, Inc., MD

Plaintiff's Breakout 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Cross Examination of Defense Experts
Dorothy C. Sims, Esq.
Sims, Stakenborg & Henry, FL
David A. Ball, PhD, Esq.
JuryWatch, NC
Defense Breakout 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Trial Strategies
John M. Fitzpatrick, Esq.
Wheeler, Trigg & Kennedy, CO

Plaintiff's Breakout 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Developing the Right Mix of Witnesses
Dianne J. Weaver, Esq.
Harrell & Harrell, PA, Jacksonville, FL
Defense Breakout 3:00pm - 4:00pm
How to Handle the Sympathy Factor
Nicholas McConnell, Esq.
Jackson & Campbell, DC

Plenary Session 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Closing Session
Speaker TBD

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The Brain Injury Association of America is initiating its legal conference again.  The last conference was cancelled in 2001 as the planes crashed into the World Trade Center.  Unfortunately the conference was never revived until now.  And that is great news.

The format will allow plaintiff and defense lawyers to get the edcuation needed to properly recognize and evaluate brain injury cases.  There will be refinements over the next few days.  I am on the planning committee and look forward to a successful conference.  Here is a sneak peek at what is coming.

The Brain Injury Association of America invites you to its 2008 National Legal Conference. BIAA's Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008 features plenary sessions for all participants followed by separate breakout sessions for plaintiff's attorneys and for defense counsel and claim professionals.

Discover the winning strategies of the nation's most experienced brain injury plantiff's and defense attorneys while learning the science of brain injury from leading medical experts.

Space is limited - don't miss out on the Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2008...REGISTER TODAY!

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Recent reports put the U.S. ahead of Canada in caring for spine and brain injury.  Seems that the time necessary to get emergent care is longer outside the U.S. resulting in poorer outcomes.  Canada sends acute care patients to the U.S. 

“There have been very serious health-care problems that have arisen in neurosurgical patients because of the lack of ability to attain timely transport to expert neurosurgical centres in Ontario,” said R. Loch Macdonald, chief of the division of neurosurgery at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Those problems, he said, include “brain injury or brain damage that could have been prevented by earlier treatment.”

To read more click here.

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The Ministry of Defence reported the following:

Brain injuries can result from relatively minor head injuries or exposure to blasts.
The MoD's surgeon general, Lieutenant General Louis Lilly-white, initiated a project in June last year to investigate mTBI and make recommendations concerning clinical care, education and research.

The Under Secretary of State for Defence, Derek Twigg, said: "The commissioning of this study by the surgeon general shows that the MoD is determined to do all that it can to look after the mental health of our forces.

"The study has concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that the operational capability of the UK's Armed Forces is being affected by mTBI. We routinely screen every member of the military for mTBI who undergoes treatment at any of our emergency medical facilities, regardless of the nature of their injuries. However, research is continuing, covering not only such areas as identifying and diagnosing mTBI cases, but also their prevention."

The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Selly Oak, Birmingham, has identified 585 cases of casualties with Traumatic Brain Injury from a total of more than 36,000 patients treated since 2003.

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President Bush unexpectedly vetoed H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, on December 28, 2007.

Congressional passage of this bill earlier in December represented a major legislative victory for improving TBI care for returning service members and veterans, as the bill included many components specific to TBI care among its important wounded warrior provisions. BIAA lobbied actively this year on many of these TBI care provisions - and even helped author a few - contained in the final version of the bill, and grassroots activity on the part of TBI advocates helped ensure that these TBI provisions were included in the final bill.

President Bush had been expected to sign the bill, but due to intense last-minute pressure from the Iraqi government over certain provisions, the White Hosue issued a veto, surprising Congress and the general public.

Indications at this point are that Congressional leadership and the relevent committees involved will swiftly resolve the issues at hand and resend the bill to the President for his signature shortly after Congress reconvenes. The House of Representatives is scheduled to come back into session on January 15, and the Senate is expected to resume session on January 22.

As of right now, BIAA is holding off on doing any grassroots activity on this issue, since informal discussions with various veterans service organizations and Senate staff have indicated that grassroots advocacy may not be warranted at this particular moment. If BIAA determines that a grassroots Action Alert might be able to play a productive role as things go forward, one will will promptly be issued.

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The young women had survived the car crash. In the five months since parts of her brain had been crushed, she could open her eyes but didn't respond to sights, sounds or jabs. In the jargon of neurology, she was judged to be in a persistent vegetative state. In crueler everyday language, she was a vegetable

Try to comprehend what it is like to be that woman. Do you appreciate the words and caresses of your distraught family while racked with frustration at your inability to reassure them that they are getting through? Or do you drift in a haze, springing to life with a concrete thought when a voice prods you, only to slip back into blankness? If we could experience this existence, would we prefer it to death? And if these questions have answers, would they change our policies toward unresponsive patients--making the Terri Schiavo case look like child's play?

Click here to read the whole story in Time.

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