Friday, January 27, 2006

Brain Damaged Girl Improves, Her Eyes Follow Sounds

From Medical News Today, under Pediatrics News, written by Christian Nordqvist (Editor: Medical News Today):

Haleigh Poutre, who sustained severe brain injuries as a result of attacks by her stepfather and adoptive mother and was nearly removed from life support not that very long ago is now in a rehabilitation center.

The state Dept of Social Services (USA) won the right to pull the plug on her as she was in such vegetative state doctors thought she would never recover. Suddenly, however, she started to get better and soon did not even need a ventilator to stay alive (was breathing on her own).

Haleigh is showing signs of alertness - when triggered by a sound her eyes move to where it came from. The people who are caring for her say there is so much hope now.

Both Haleigh's adoptive mother and stepfather have been charged with assault. The adoptive mother (who is Haleigh's aunt) died two weeks after Haleigh was admitted to hospital. It seems the adoptive mother killed herself and the grandmother as well.

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