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Misdiagnosed 'coma' case challenges euthanasia mentality
London,
23 November 2009 - The newly-revealed case of Rom Houben, who was
misdiagnosed for 23 years as being in a coma-like state, challenges the
pro-euthanasia mentality which exists regarding severely incapacitated
patients.
Mr Houben, a Belgian man,
was paralysed by a car accident. Until three years ago, Mr Houben had
been misdiagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state (PVS, more
correctly termed PNS or persistent non-responsive state). Doctors
assumed he was unconscious, when in fact he has near-normal brain
function and can hear and understand his surroundings. Following new
tests which revealed the misdiagnosis, Mr Houben has been provided with
equipment to read and type.
Janet Thomas of No Less
Human, a group within SPUC Pro-Life, commented: "This case highlights
the huge dangers in assessing profoundly disabled people as having
lives not worth living. Surely, with all the medical resources at our
disposal, a truly civilised society would be concentrating on saving
and improving life, not terminating it. It is encouraging to hear that
Rom Houben has not succumbed to despair but is setting out to enjoy the
life he has. We should remember that we call ourselves human 'beings'.
It is what we are, not what we can do, that makes us unique.
"Rom Houben is not the
first example of a person diagnosed as being in PVS but in fact being
aware of the world around him. Jean Dominique Bauby, former editor of
Elle, wrote the book 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' while only
able to blink an eyelid. Marian Sallery [1] of north Wales spent 11
years unable to communicate although fully aware of the world around.
She was not diagnosed with Locked-in Syndrome until after her death.
Keith Andrews of the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability [2] found in
1996 that, of 40 people diagnosed as being in PVS, nearly half were
completely misdiagnosed.
"According to some
criteria, PVS is regarded as permanent after the first year. Following
the 1992 Bland judgment, and under the Mental Capacity Act and related
professional guidance, such patients are in danger of being dehydrated
to death", concluded Mrs Thomas.
References:
[1] Lilian Sallery, "Futile
or Fruitful". Paper given at the conference "Implications of the Bland
Judgment", organised by ALERT (Against Legalised Euthanasia - Research
& Training), House of Lords, 25 May 1993.
[2] K. Andrews et al.,
"Misdiagnosis of the vegetative state: retrospective study in a
rehabilitation unit." BMJ 1996; 313: 13-16
