The Pill That Wakens Vegetables
September 13th, 2006 | by Craig R. Harmon |The same pill that one takes when they have difficulty sleeping also wakens those who are in a persistent vegetative state. Riaan Bolton, an accident victim is still alive because, shortly after his accident, his mother “turned down the option of letting him die.” He remained alive because, when he had a cardiac arrest, his mother insisted on rescusitating him. Now Riaan and mom interact, chat, laugh and cry together.
So what about the awareness of people in a persistent vegetative state? This, from Louis, another beneficiary of the treatment:
“Louis,” I ask, “do you feel any change in awareness before and after the pill?” “No,” he says. “None whatsoever.” Whatever is happening, he feels the same. “How do you know this is your mother?” I ask, referring to Sienie. Remember, Louis cannot see. He says: “Because I recognise her voice and I know she loves me.”
Hmmmm. So people in a persistent vegetative state have conscious awareness. Perhaps ‘vegetative’ is a less than helpful designation…unless vegetables have conscious awareness…and perhaps comments like “The person is no longer there; that’s just an empty shell.” Just because a person can’t communicate his or her consciousness to the outside world doesn’t mean that the person is gone.
And this, from Louis’s doctor:
After Louis’ awakening was publicised in the South African media, Dr Ralf Clauss, a physician of nuclear medicine - the use of radioactive isotopes in diagnostic scans - at the Medical University of Southern Africa, contacted Nel to suggest carrying out a scan on Louis. “The results were so unbelievable that I got other colleagues to check my findings,” says Clauss, who now works at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. “We did scans before and after we gave Louis zolpidem. Areas that appeared black and dead beforehand began to light up with activity afterwards. I was dumbfounded - and I still am.”
So am I.
4 Responses to “The Pill That Wakens Vegetables”
By tos on Sep 13, 2006 | Reply
The miracle of modern medicine. We too have a friend that was in a vegatative state and they gave him something not sure if it’s the same thing,after the medication he now eats and verbalizes. Still not all there but we are hopeful as is his family. It’s been one year/5 months. His family was faced with a decision early because the doctors were not hopeful but since then they have all been quite optimistic.
By Craig R. Harmon on Sep 13, 2006 | Reply
Tos,
Thank you for sharing that personal story. I wish your friend continued recovery.
By tos on Sep 13, 2006 | Reply
Thanks Craig,
It was a motorcycle accident. No helmet laws in Hawaii. Since then his family transported him back here to NY where they reside. He’s in a great facility now after 2 other facilites that weren’t helping him. He still has his parents,5 siblings and 14 neices and nephews. And alot of friends. Someone visits everyday.
By Craig R. Harmon on Sep 13, 2006 | Reply
Motorcycles, the devil’s own machination. If you’ve got testosterone, they are nearly impossible to resist wanting — even if you resist riding — yet are so terribly dangerous. It is a real blessing that he has people who love him and visit him.