Coma man was conscious for 23 years

Nov 30 2009 by Michael Pringle

A MAN thought to be in a coma for 23 years was actually conscious the whole time. Although he was aware of what was going on around him and he could hear everything being said, Rom Houben was unable to let anyone know he was conscious. Rom who is 46-years-old is now able to type out computerised messages: "I screamed, but there was nothing to hear."

He explained his thoughts: "All that time I literally dreamed of a better life. Frustration is too small a word to describe what I felt.

"I shall never forget the day when they discovered what was truly wrong with me - it was my second birth. I want to read, talk with my friends via the computer and enjoy life now people know I am not dead."

The neurological expert who discovered the misdiagnosis, Dr Steven Laureys, fears there may be similar cases all over the world.

The discovery throws doubt on whether people apparently in vegetative comas should have vital support removed to allow them to die.

Story courtesy of Sky News.