YNKYH8R

I can't believe that you would compare "vegetable like state" to autism. Even if your niece is comperable to a 6-8 month old that is still not a blank slate. her parents hoped for the best when having her. Terri's condition was put upon her in her adult life. It has been this way for 14 years no change. You can't really call it quality of life when there is no life. Her autonomic system apears to function allowing her to breathe and regulate blood flow that is it. Your neice is so much more than that. I imagine she gets around, has feelings, her own thoughts, even likes and dislikes. I will bet you she can even recognize her parents and show emotion for them. Well guess what Terri can't. She is not in a coma. She is living flesh with on mind. Comparing her to an autisic person is an insult to autism itself. She (Terri) has conciousness but no realization of self. And if she did it would have brought itself around by now. I feel for her parents I really do. They have allowed this to go on for so long they can't let go. All they see is their daughter. It is almost as bad as sending a loved one to a taxidermist so that you can see them whenever you want. A shell of her former self. Sad truely sad.

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ARMPIT