Terry Wallis

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Terry Wallis (born 7 April 1964) is an American man living in Arkansas who on June 11, 2003 regained awareness after spending almost 20 years in a minimally conscious state. Following a 1984 automobile accident he, then aged 19, fell into a coma and then weeks later became stabilized in a minimally conscious state.

While Mr. Wallis remains handicapped, in 2003 he awakened from his minimal conscious state and began to speak. He thought and may still think that he is still 19 and that Ronald Reagan is President. Over a three day "awakening period" Mr. Wallis regained the ability to move parts of his body and to speak with other individuals. He continues that today.

Using new technology brain scans were done on Terry Wallis by Nicholas Schiff of Cornell University.

[edit] External links

• "Possible axonal regrowth in late recovery from the minimally conscious state" abstract of recent article published & relevant discussion
• Patient Revives After 19 Years By Rewiring Brain mini-article and discussion on Slashdot, July 2006
• Mute 19 Years, He Helps Reveal Brain's Mysteries, article in The New York Times, July 2006
• 'Rewired brain' revives patient after 19 years, article in New Scientist, July 2006
• 'Miracle recovery' shows brain's resilience on Nature.com, July 2006
• Brain Injury Advocates Hope for Aid Law on Newsmax.com, June 2005
• Terry Wallis, a modern Lazarus on everything2.com, Updated in January 2004
• Man speaks after 19-year silence, article on CNN, July 2003
• Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Minimally Conscious State vs Persistent Vegetative State: The Case of Terry (Wallis) vs. The Case of Terri (Schiavo)

• A discussion about brain regeneration, Video interview with researchers on the Charlie Rose Show, July 28, 2006