Persistent vegetative state: radio interview raises awareness

30 September 2011

A mother raising awareness of persistent vegetative state (PVS) has started an online Facebook support group and given a radio interview on the BBC.

"My youngest son Ed had a massive bleed to the brain in October 2002. Despite months of rehabilitation Ed was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state. Almost 9 years later he is still in PVS," explains Sandra Bell, whose interview on BBC Radio Norfolk was broadcast yesterday, 29 September.

"I have been searching for a long time for a support group. As there are none specifically aimed at people affected by PVS I decided to start this community," she says of the new Facebook group.

There are many levels of consciousness between deep coma and normal consciousness, and the state of consciousness of a person following a head injury can fall into a number of different categories between these two extremes. A vegetative state is defined on the NHS Choices website as "a rare condition, caused by brain damage, in which a person comes out of a coma and is fully awake but they have no sense of awareness."

Getting support


If someone you know is in PVS, you can join Sandra's Facebook group. Sandra has also found the Brain Injury Group helpful - a support group for people who have loved ones with devastating brain injuries.

The Brain and Spine Helpline can also offer support. Call a nurse on 0808 808 1000 or email helpline@brainandspine.org.uk.




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