Arizona coma patient now speaking, walking

December 23, 2011 in Other

(AP) -- It will be a special Christmas for the family of a 21-year-old University of Arizona student who was nearly taken off life support but is now recovering after waking up from a coma.

Sam Schmid was walking and speaking Friday at a Phoenix hospital.

Doctors at the Barrow Neurological Institute say Schmid has a long recovery ahead of him to regain full speech, balance and abilities.

Schmid was involved in an Oct. 19 that left him with a , among other life-threatening injuries.

He underwent surgery performed by Dr. Robert Spetzler. With no responsive signs, staff discussed taking Schmid off life support. But Spetzler recommended keeping him alive for one more week.

Nearly a week later, Schmid shocked doctors by following commands to hold up two fingers.

©2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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tjcoop3
Dec 24, 2011

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This is the very reason why I am against Advance Directives and Living Wills. I worked in an Intensive Care Unit back in the 80's and there were enough cases like this to convince me that Dr.'s and machines are wrong often enough to bet against them.
I am up for some pretty major surgery soon and my response to the question of a living will of AD will be that my wife hears from God.
If He wants her to take me off life support He will tell her otherwise she will pray until I get up and walk out.
Even if I am dead.
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