General Chat

The Mind Reader - Unlocking My Voice, Did you see it?

What a fascinating programme. A friends daughter is in a vegetative state, she has been like this for 13 years, after a car accident. Seeing the Panorama programme, must give hope to so many families, that hopeful one day they may be able to communicate with them again one day, I do hope so.

I watched it. Lynda. I found it a bit terrifying.
It must be awful to know what's going on, but not be able to communicate
It was interesting that the man whose parents put earphones in and played him electronic books had such a positive result, also the young lad whose girlfriend (or was it sister) just spoke to him normally, had a good result.
Whereas, the men whose parents seemed to treat them like babies had a less successful result.

I felt so happy for the man who had 'come round' and was now communicating.

I can see how you found it terrifying Maggie, the thought of not being able to communicate is awful. I do wonder what my friends daughter and her family thought of it all, but I would think that if they just knew she wasn't in pain, would be a great relief, but if she were tested, and it was found that she was truly in a vegetive state, then that would be so sad.

It was the girlfriend who was so positive, and they had only been out together for 4 months, what a lovely girl she was, so caring.

The girlfriend seemed so supportive didn't she?

It must be awful to be trapped within your body and not able to let others know that you are aware.
Lynda, I hope it brings hope rather than unsettling thoughts for your friend's family.

What a magic moment for the family when their son was asked if his sister had a daughter ( born after his accident) and he was able to let them know that he was aware of the little girl, thus indicating that he had 'new' memories and awareness not only pre-accident ones.
Very thought provoking.

Gwyn

The girlfriend was an amazing girl Gwyn. The son who's sister had had a baby after his accident, and he knew of her, must of surprised the doctors as well as the family.

I really hope that this is just the beginning of opening all sorts of doors for those in this condition.

Most moved their eyes - with modern technology - and the funding......

Just a 'yes' or 'no' would be a huge step forward (like the one with th 'thumbs up) It was a definite 'yes' to more tests.

How heartbreaking it must be to have a loved one like that, and not know if they are understanding the things you say to them, if they are in pain or if they are bursting with frustration at not being able to say what they are thinking or show they are aware. I don't know how I would cope, the families were so brave and I did think it lovely that the lad's little niece just accepted him as he was as she never knew him any other way, so was cuddled up to him and he showed he was aware of who she was.

I support any attempts to find a breakthrough in communicating with people left like this and if I won the lottery would give a lot to further research into this field.

A very interesting programme.

Lizx