FIREFIGHTER ROUSES FROM 10-YEAR COMA
GOOD THING THEY HADN’T REMOVED HIS FEEDING TUBE!
Fighting a fire ten years ago, Donald Herbert had a falling roof bury him. He was without air for about six minutes and suffered brain damage. See story here.
During all this time he has not spoken, and still cannot feed himself. But Saturday he suddenly said “I want to talk to my wife.” Soon she arrived, then their four sons, then fellow firefighters. He talked to them all night. He was just not willing to stop long enough to sleep. He wanted to know all about everything he had missed.
It is hard not to think about Terri Schaivo.
Donald Herbert had therapy all those years. Terri’s husband denied her therapy, even though doctors said that with therapy, she should be able to learn to swallow on her own, and to talk.
Terri died when her husband finally succeeded in getting her feeding tube removed. No one did that to Donald Herbert. So he did not miss his big chance.
We have a lot to learn.
Fighting a fire ten years ago, Donald Herbert had a falling roof bury him. He was without air for about six minutes and suffered brain damage. See story here.
During all this time he has not spoken, and still cannot feed himself. But Saturday he suddenly said “I want to talk to my wife.” Soon she arrived, then their four sons, then fellow firefighters. He talked to them all night. He was just not willing to stop long enough to sleep. He wanted to know all about everything he had missed.
It is hard not to think about Terri Schaivo.
Donald Herbert had therapy all those years. Terri’s husband denied her therapy, even though doctors said that with therapy, she should be able to learn to swallow on her own, and to talk.
Terri died when her husband finally succeeded in getting her feeding tube removed. No one did that to Donald Herbert. So he did not miss his big chance.
We have a lot to learn.
posted by Old Neocon at 3:25 PM
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