Kate Adamson is the mother of two who suffered a double brain stem stroke and was in a coma for 70 days. She was completely unresponsive to stimuli and was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state. Doctors finally pulled her feeding tube and, for eight days, she lay dying. Instead of being unconscious as the doctors believed she was aware of everything.
During an interview on the O'Reilly Factor in 2003 she recounted the dehydration experience:
O'REILLY: When they took the feeding tube out, what went through your mind?Janette at Common Sense Runs Wild has more of this must read interview and excellent commentary. She notes the two differences between Kate Adamson and Terri Schiavo:ADAMSON: When the feeding tube was turned off for eight days, I thought I was going insane. I was screaming out in my mind, "Don't you know I need to eat?" And even up until that point, I had been having a bagful of Ensure as my nourishment that was going through the feeding tube. At that point, it sounded pretty good. I just wanted something. The fact that I had nothing, the hunger pains overrode every thought I had.
- Kate was completely paralyzed and obviously no where near as responsive as Terri Schiavo who laughs and interacts with her family.
- Kate had Steven Klugman who loved his wife and wanted to her to live. Unfortunately, Terri has Michael Schiavo who has always refused to allow his wife to have the tests and rehab that she needs. He is fighting to let her die.
Update:
Thanks to a comment below I found this story about a Kansas woman who awoke after 20-years in a coma. More here from Dr. Dobson and WorldNetDaily.
There's a new story just out about a Kansas woman who just awoke from a 20-year coma. She's reading, recognizes family and friends (although she still thinks she's 18-years-old). I put her story and some research I did on comas on my blog at www.sunnyside.blogspot.com.
I sure hope the Shiavos' attorney hears about it.