Katt

For me, I wouldn't want to live like that. But, I don't believe she can be fully classified as brain dead either.

Breathing doesn't just happen. It is controlled by the brain just as other functions are. Where the accident occurs is what determines what stops working. For example someone has a brain injury that involves a specific region, then that region stops working. (such as in a stroke) Breathing IS controlled by the brain. The region is directly at the top of the spinal cord. If an injury occurs there, the body cannot signal itself to breath, and therefore the person would be on a vent. That doesn't mean the person can't have thoughts, feelings etc. They just wouldn't be able to breath on their own.

Now that that part is cleared up...she can breath on her own, but that doesn't mean the rest of her brain is functioning. It also doesn't mean that it isn't. She could still have thoughts etc, without a way to express them due to loss of body funtioning. I haven't bothered to read much on it, because I don't read the articles that get posted on the board..but, have they done brain function tests? Is there evidence of brain activity? If not, then she needs to be let go.

I stay out of this mess because these threads are always a fight waiting to happen. The only part I can judge is how I would feel in this case. I would NOT agree to cutting off the feeding tube of my child to watch them starve to death. However, I also could not bare to watch my child suffer like that. It's a very difficult situation. I also don't see why the husband just won't leave her and let someone else have the burden he so obviously wants to escape.

I guess the smart thing to do would be to have a living will stating your wishes. Then, messes like this could be avoided.