![23 year coma patient, "communicates" real or a cruel farce?](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/d9/d0/d9d024ebaf4b4094033a5bf8b9cc3902.jpg "23 year coma patient, "communicates" real or a cruel farce?")
Rom Houben reportedly spent some 23 years in a vegetative state before beginning to "communicate" again by moving a single unparalized finger against a screen, His mother, Fina Nicolaes stated that, "Early on, he was surprised that the words came out of his finger. Now, he is busy writing a book."
The so-called method of communication, with the help of a speech therapist holding his hand punching a touch screen is doubted by some authorities, and is stirring controversy only days after the story of his comeback as a fully conscious man entombed in an immobile body captured the world's imagination.
Many scholars doubt the technique of facilitated communication, and bloggers denounce it as a cruel farce, and millions asking as they watch the video of Houben's hand being held as it quickly types into the screen — who is really doing the punching here?
Dr. Steven Laureys understands the questions and said he might ask the same if he did not know the patient. And he said there is only one way to address the doubters — science. "For me, there are two questions: Is he conscious? Can he communicate? That is 'yes' twice," he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
Having watched the video, and having worked with many individuals with communication impairments, it is my opinion that this is a case of wishful thinking married to a thought of, "I could make some money here."
Comments
Hey, Steve.
It's even worse. The doctor was using an experimental and hard-to-interpret technology to prove the consciousness. Rom only showed reaction to external stimuli, not comprehension. The doctor's a member of a Vatican task force on vegetative patients. He refuses to release any additional information because of patient confidentiality. This only became a news story when the FCer started "talking" for Rom.
But thank gods that he wasn't locked in for 23 years. The horror of that fate!
I agree, I think that it is a shame that people are trying to exploit this individual.
What needs to be done is a old friend to address Rom, ask a question that only they know. This person should have great respect for Rom over money and let them, the old friend, who everyone knows from the pass, settle this issue!
Just a thought!
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