Nobel Prize nominated MD states Schiavo could be rehabilitated but is being mistreate

[blueaguave]

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 7, 2005

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Despite the contention of Terri Schiavo's estranged husband Michael and courts that have allowed him to starve her to death, a doctor nominated for the Nobel Prize says he believes medical therapies are still available that could help Terri party recover from her disabled state.

Dr. William Hammesfahr is an internationally recognized expert on cases of brain-injured patients. He has been identified in helping patients with chronic brain injuries from many causes actually leave long term disability, and return to work.

Terri Schiavo's injury, hypoxic encephalopathy, is a type of stroke that he treats every day with success.

"We, and others I know, have treated many patients worse than Terri and have seen them regain independence and dignity," Hammesfahr said.

"There are many approaches that would help Terri Schiavo," Dr. Hammesfahr explained. "I know, because I had the opportunity to personally examine her, her medical records, and her X-rays."

"It is time to help Terri, instead of just warehousing her," he added. "She would have benefited from treatment years ago, but it is not too late to start now."

This isn't the first time Hammesfahr has discussed Terri's plight.

Last year, he explained that, after examining Terri, he believed that she could eventually eat and drink on her own. He also said he believes Terri would be able to talk and have good use of one arm and one hand should be given proper rehabilitative treatment.

Hammesfahr also said he thought Terri would eventually be able to transfer herself from a wheelchair to a bed.

"The patient is not in a coma," concluded Hammesfahr said after observing Terri. "She responds to specific people best. She tries to please others by doing activities for which she gets verbal praise."

He says Terri's eyes clearly fixate on her family and she tries to follow the simple commands her parents give her.
"She looks at you, she can follow commands," Hammesfahr said.

Dr. Hammesfahr was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1999.

Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo's parents - [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
Hammesfahr Neurological Institute - [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]


Printed from: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[luvmetender]

I hope you are watching Nightline right now.

[CagedTroll]

Was there anything on Nightline about how her vegetative state [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]?

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by CagedTroll

Was there anything on Nightline about how her vegetative state [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]?

Yes, at the time of her collapse she only weighed 110 pounds, and had been bulimic since high school where she weighed over 200 pounds. She had recently been to the doctor because her periods had stopped. That is a big red flag that she had an eating disorder.

[Shainie]

So because she was bulimic she shouldn't have the right to be rehabilitated?

[trust no one]

And now, the rest of the story....

Fox News host Sean Hannity and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough both promoted Dr. William Hammesfahr's false claim that he is a Nobel Prize nominee.

Hammesfahr, a Florida neurologist disciplined in 2003 by the Florida Board of Medicine who claims he can help Terri Schiavo, testified during an October 2002 court hearing on the Schiavo case that his claim to be a Nobel nominee is based on a letter written by Rep. Mike Bilirakis (R-FL) recommending him for the prize. But Bilirakis is not qualified to make a valid nomination under the Nobel rules.

According to the process posted on the Nobel Prize website, the Nobel Assembly sends out invitations to approximately 3,000 people who are allowed to propose candidates. The 3,000 are "mainly members of the Nobel Assembly, previous prize winners, and a selection of professors at universities around the world." In providing detailed information about those who can submit nominations, the site states:

Right to submit proposals for the award of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, based on the principle of competence and universality, shall by statute be enjoyed by:

Members of the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm;
Swedish and foreign members of the medical class of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences;
Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine;
Members of the Nobel Committee not qualified under paragraph 1 above;
Holders of established posts as professors at the faculties of medicine in Sweden and holders of similar posts at the faculties of medicine or similar institutions in Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway;
Holders of similar posts at no fewer than six other faculties of medicine selected by the Assembly, with a view to ensuring the appropriate distribution of the task among various countries and their seats of learning; and Practitioners of natural sciences whom the Assembly may otherwise see fit to approach.

Decisions concerning the selection of the persons appointed under paragraphs 6 and 7 above are taken before the end of May each year on the recommendation of the Nobel Committee.

But the fact that Bilirakis is not qualified to nominate Nobel Prize winners did not stop Scarborough or Hannity on Fox News Channel from referring to Hammesfahr as a Nobel Prize nominee. Hannity did so a total of eight times during a single hour-long program; Scarborough made the reference four times. Additionally, Scarborough erroneously claimed that Hammesfahr has "treated" Schiavo; in fact, Hammesfahr has merely examined her as one of five doctors approved by a Florida court in 2001 to do so. He was one of two doctors selected by Schiavo's parents; two others were selected by Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, and the fifth was chosen by the court.

From the March 21 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes:

HANNITY: And we're going to talk to a doctor who spent 10 hours with her tonight, and he says that he believes, in his expert opinion -- this is a man that was nominated for a Nobel Prize, by the way -- that she could be rehabilitated.

[...]

HANNITY: And coming up later in the program tonight, we're going to meet a doctor who actually spent 10 hours examining Terri Schiavo. He was nominated for a Nobel Prize. He believes that she could be rehabilitated.

[...]

HANNITY: You were nominated for a Nobel Prize in medicine?

HAMMESFAHR: Yes.

[...]

HANNITY: You were nominated to get a Nobel Peace Prize in this work. Are you saying that this woman could be rehabilitated?

[...]

HANNITY: How is it possible we're in this position if you have examined her? You were up for a Nobel Prize. This is mind boggling to me.

[...]

HANNITY: Well, this is what I want to understand. This is your area of expertise that got you nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in medicine, the Nobel Prize.

[...]

HANNITY: -- hang on a second -- and talk to a Nobel prize-nominated physician who spent 10 hours with her, who believes if, given the opportunity, he can rehabilitate her?

[...]

HANNITY: Imagine being in his position and having a guy like a Nobel Prize nominee like Dr. Hammesfahr, who I'm looking at right now, who spent 10 hours with her and feels that, given the chance, he could rehabilitate this girl.

From the March 21 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country:

SCARBOROUGH: And a Nobel Prize-nominated neurologist who has treated Terri Schiavo, he says Terri should live and that her husband is perpetrating a hoax that is just aimed at killing his wife.

[...]

SCARBOROUGH: And I'm going to be talking with a Nobel Prize-nominated neurologist who has treated Terri Schiavo and he says her husband is pulling a huge hoax simply to kill his wife.

[...]

SCARBOROUGH: Coming up: a Nobel Prize-nominated neurologist who is treating Terri Schiavo says her husband is pulling a hoax.

[...]

SCARBOROUGH: So, what is Terri Schiavo's true medical condition? Here to help us sort it out is Dr. William Hammesfahr. He's a neurologist who was nominated for a Nobel Prize for his work in medicine. And he's one of the doctors who has treated Terri Schiavo.

FOX NEWS does not tell the truth.

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by Shainie

So because she was bulimic she shouldn't have the right to be rehabilitated?

No, Shainie, my only reason for relaying that information was to refute certain people who think that her husband caused this vegetative state she is in. As for being rehabilitated, her husband went so far as to take her to California for experimental implants to stimulate her brain. What have her parents done to rehabilitate her? They certainly have had enough time. I saw a video of her father shaking a balloon on top of her head.

[CagedTroll]

Originally Posted by Shainie

So because she was bulimic she shouldn't have the right to be rehabilitated?

Not suggesting that, just that I was unaware of some of the details until a few days ago. Mainstream Media hasn't been providing such info, despite all the airtime they've given to the story.

BTW, you used the word "rehabilitated"... I'm assuming that you're assuming that "rehabilitation" is possible after 15 years in a vegatative state, and I'm wondering what medical science you're basing your assumption on???

[dlabrie708]

I believe the problem is that the parents have not been allowed to get any kind of therapy for their daughter. Terri's husband hasn't allowed anything to be done for her since 1993. So I think it is unfair to judge her condition, when nothing has been done to help her. I know if my husband was in that condition, I would do everything in my power for him.

My husband has made it clear that he does not want to be kept alive artificially, but he even said that he would not want a feeding tube disconnected and be starved to death. When he says "aritificially," he means if he is brain "dead" and needs machines to keep him breathing. He feels Terri is brain "damaged" and he cannot understand why the husband hasn't allowed therapy and has fought with the parents.

The whole thing with the husband sounds a little suspicious to me. I mean he has already moved on with his life. Terri should be granted a divorce based on the fact that he lives with another woman and has children with her. It's ridiculous to me that a man who was married to her for such a short time has more say than the parents and family, but I know that is the law. The other thing I don't understand is how any decision can be based on "heresay." I mean, just because the husband says she said she didn't want to live "artificially." Where is the proof? There is nothing in writing. I would cry everyday if this were my daughter.

Lori

[mayfly]

That is what is so devastating about this case. Luv, I know you went through something similar with your husband. I feel for you, and support what you went through. I don't think this is the same case here. This man neglected his wife. Her teeth are rotting out of her head because he will not let her get dental treatment. I believe she has not even had a MRI because he blocked it. The reason for the suspicion is that he was there when her heart stopped, he knew CPR, and he did not perform it. He stated over and over that she wanted to live, and that he would use the lawsuit settlement to rehabilitate her. Once he recieved the money he changed his statements.

I feel this woman has suffered at the hands of her husband. If a handicapped child were treated thus, it would be criminal. This woman may have gained some skills back, it will never be known because those avenues were not explored. She was brain damaged, which is not a fun way to live, but she was not dying from it. She is human, and should not have been allowed to be abused by her husband who obviously has moved on.

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by mayfly

This man neglected his wife. Her teeth are rotting out of her head because he will not let her get dental treatment. I believe she has not even had a MRI because he blocked it. The reason for the suspicion is that he was there when her heart stopped, he knew CPR, and he did not perform it. He stated over and over that she wanted to live, and that he would use the lawsuit settlement to rehabilitate her. Once he recieved the money he changed his statements.

Where did you get this information? If it is true, I agree it is horrendous and beyond comprehension. But I have heard a totally different story. Does it just depend on which newscast you happen to listen to?

I find it really hard to believe that an MRI and CT have never been allowed to be performed. How many courts have sided with the husband on this, 19? If what you are saying is truly the case, what kind of legal system do we have?

[CagedTroll]

According to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] to remove the feeding tube, a CT was performed at the time.

Also, according to the Circuit Court's decision---

Dr. Hammesfahr feels his vasodilatation therapy will have a positive affect on Terry Schiavo. Drs. Greer, Bambakidis and Cranford do not feel it will have such an affect. It is clear that this therapy is not recognized in the medical community. Dr. Hammesfahr operates his clinic on a cash basis in advance which made the discussion regarding Medicare eligibility quite irrelevant. A lot of the time also was spent regarding his nominations for a Nobel Prize. While he certainly is a self-promoter and should have had for the court's review a copy of the letter from the Nobel committee in Stockholm, Sweden, the truth of the matter is that he is probably the only person involved in these proceedings who had a United States Congressman recommend him for such an award. Whether the committee "accepted" the nomination, "received" the nomination or whatever, it is not that significant. What is significant, however, and what undemises his creditability is that he did not present to this court any evidence other than his generalized statements as to the efficacy of his therapy on brain damaged individuals like Terry Schiavo. He testified that he has treated about 50 patients in the same or worse condition than Terry Schiavo since 1994 but he offered no names, no case studies, no videos and no tests results to support his claim that he had success in all but one of them. If his therapy is as effective as he would lead this court to believe, it is inconceivable that he would not produce clinical results of these patients he has treated. And surely the medical literature would be replete with this new, now patented, procedure. Yet, he has only published one article and that was in 1995 involving some 63 patients, 60% of whom were suffering from whiplash. None of these patients were in a persistent vegetative state and all were conversant. Even he acknowledges that he is aware of no article or study that shows vasodilatation therapy to be an effective treatment for persistent vegetative state patients. The court can only assume that such substantiations are not available, not just catalogued in such a way that they can not be readily identified as he testified.

[bobbcat]

Dr. Hammesfahr was on the Glenn Beck show yesterday to talk about his findings when he examined Terri. When Beck asked specific questions regarding these findings, Hammesfahr said to the effect that he (Glenn) was welcome to look it up. Needless to say, Glenn was very embarrassed, apologized all over the map to his audience and dismissed this man as not credible. I was left thinking 1 of 2 things. Either Hammesfahr was concerned about being sued or he is full of beans.

Regardless though, evidence that Terri is merely severly brain damaged versus being in a permanent vegetative state was presented, and the courts chose to ignore this evidence. This whole case has hinged on mere heresay, and it was my understanding that it is typical for heresay not to stand up in a court of law. This strikes me as the most disturbing aspect of this case.

The supremes have said no, and all avenues have been exausted. She will likely die within the next 1 to 3 days. Easter weekend. What biblical symbolism this presents to us indeed. Will we be too blind to see that though?

[mayfly]

Luv, because I can't provide links that is why I said "I believe". These are from different news stories I have read. In fact, I watched a debate the other night, and many of these things were brought up during the debate.

[trust no one]

Can we all agree, now, now he was not legitimately nominated for a Nobel Prize?