Support group for people with brain damage and families react to Terri Schiavo's Case

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 04 Apr 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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Supportgroup in Austria has members who have awakened from a persistent vegetative state: reborn people are able to tell their experiences. They express their empathy with Terri Schiavo's family and all the people who have been caring for her.

Frederick Androsch MS is an American citizen living in Austria, Europe and one of the hundred members of a support group for braininjured people and their families in Austria.

In September 1995 he had a car accident and this resulted in a severe brain stem injury and a persistent vegetative state. After six months he slowly woke up out of this state thanks to the incredible efforts of his family, doctors, therapists, nurses and many other people. It took him years to learn to swallow, eat, talk and walk. Now 10 years after the accident he still has therapy and he is learning to walk independently, is married and has a three year old daughter.

Fred Androsch: "During the time that I was in a persistent vegetative state I experienced pain, hunger and thirst. Although everything was like a dream I knew that people were taking care of me in a positive way."

The support Group: "Daily training and movement stimulate blood circulation in the brain and increase awareness. The treatment of patients with a brain injury has improved immensely in this past decade. Thinking and expectations should be altered to reflect these new achievements in science, technology and medicine to allow people to live and have access to the care and treatment they need. Many people in the supportgroup in Austria have awakened from a persistent vegetative state and live productive and full lives. Other members are still in the process of waking up. It takes years.

Some of them live at home with their families. Their intensive treatment includes neuromuscular stimulation, bathing, standing supported by a harness, special massages and treatment with psychoactivating substances like odors and tastes, and many other means."

For more detailed information about the moving experiences of these individuals and families contact:

Supportgroup for brain injured people and their families.
Fred Androsch, Austria
Tel:(43)6765513675
Internet: http://www.gehirn.at
Email: info@gehirn.at

Supportgroup for brain injured people and their families
http://www.gehirn.at

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