For 23 torturous years, Rom Houben says he lay trapped in his paralyzed body, aware of what was going on around him but unable to tell anyone or even cry out.
The car-crash victim had been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state but appears to have been conscious the whole time. An expert using a specialized type of brain scan that was not available in the 1980s finally realized it, and unlocked Houben's mind again.
The 46-year-old Houben is now communicating with one finger and a special touchscreen on his wheelchair.
The implications are staggering.
23 years unable to communicate that you are conscience and aware of your surroundings.
Wow, kind of sobering.
Read it all here.
Via. Vandersluys
Wow! Just, wow!
ReplyDeleteKind of sobering indeed. On a number of levels.
ReplyDelete(I should give props where they're due: I got there via Brad Boydston.)