Woman talks after 20 years in a coma

[johnnie]

"HUTCHINSON, KAN. - A woman in Kansas who was knocked into a coma by a drunk driver 20 years ago has begun to speak and remember her past.

A hit-and-run driver struck Sarah Scantlin, then 18, when she was walking to her car in September 1984.

Her brain was injured so badly that doctors first feared she would spend her life in a vegetative state. For years, she has been aware of her environment but unable to form words or make any sounds other than loud cries.

That changed last month, when she suddenly told employees at the nursing home where she lives, "OK, OK." "

More:
http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/02/11/coma-woman-050211.html

How cool is that?

[Lavender Brown]

1. Her parents were on TV this morning

She remembers all her high school friends and everything. It's wonderful... but man, how must it feel to wake up with a good part of your youth gone? :shrug:

[Az]

2. Its a bit of coolness and sadness

Ok cool she's alive and able to communicate again. Sad she has lost so much of her life and faces a terribly constricted life ahead of her.

[johnnie]

4. I agree

I am just happy that she is able to continue with some of her life.

[progressoid]

3. Freaky Deaky man

[Nikia]

5. Hopefully, she'll stay that way

A similiar thing happened to my dad's cousin. It wasn't quite as long as this woman, when we began talking and remembering, but it was a couple of years. Then after a couple weeks, he degenerated again. For the rest of his life he could talk, but only about things that happened during those couple of weeks. It was rather odd.

[Beaverhausen]

6. read the bizarre comments on the thread about this on LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1230685