http://science.slashdot.org/story/12/11/14/2228225/vegetative-state-man-talks-by-brain-scan

Pretty scary stuff.

Discuss.

Well that's just [censored] great.

this is why I told people that if i'm ever in a coma to pull the plug...imagine being paralyzed but mentally aware, no thanks

I have no idea why people keep "vegetative" people alive for so long; it's not like they've got much to live for, trapped in their own bodies. To me it's worse than death, and I've already noted that I want to die as quickly as possible if I ever end up in a vegetative state.

Edit: I hope this post didn't sound offensive to anyone. It's not supposed to be.

It's a known condition called Locked-In Syndrome.

Basically, whatever connects the brain to voluntary muscle movement has been severed, and (usually) the subject has control over their own eyes and eyelids... but nothing else. It's a special kind of hell, and they've only RECENTLY developed a method to allow them to communicate via computer. Used to be with Eyeblinks, and only if the doctor didn't pass that off as reflex action.

Undiagnosed Locked-In Syndrom? I'd imagine that is what Hell would be like. Fire and Brimstone are bad, but at least you can move. There? The guy's awake, alert... he just can't let the doctors or his family know, and they all think he's in a coma...

Agreed, fully aware or not its something I have told my family to not let happen.