Charlie Rose

caldon4523  03/21/2011 01:31 PM Report

I was hardened to hear about Dr. Michael C. Hotard. I was a classmate of his from high school. I knew him as a very bright individual and was not surprised he became a surgeon. I know this is a dated video but I hope Dr. Hotard is living comfortably and I wish the best for him and his family.

Yew-Kwang Ng  09/06/2007 02:47 AM Report

Brain stimulation should be used not only for treatment of problems but also for common use for pleasure. Why has this not been done?

Angela Yaeger  08/22/2007 03:24 PM Report

Dr. Nicholas Schiff,

God has blessed you to dedicate your life for people who need you during their silence due to their brain injuries. Thank you for spending your life in the research for MCS patients and others with brain injuries... I am now asking for your help in helping Dr. Hotard who has been in a MCS for the past two years. He was in a SUV accident on May 17, 2004 and his family is willing to seek any method possible to improve his life. Dr. Hotard was driving our daughter home from Liberal KS to Colorado Springs CO. and upon his return to KS his SUV rolled over. I pray that DPS will give Dr. Hotard a method to comunicate to us. Dr. Michael C. Hotard served the military as an Army Surgeon graduating form the University of the Health Sciences Medical School in Bethesda MD. Knowing him, he would ask for this procedure. Please contact us so I can give you more information. Dr. Hotard is reaching out to you. Looking forward for your email, Angela Yaeger

soulfulady  08/07/2007 12:00 PM Report

I was very moved by the audio recording of the mom whose son was helped by the doctors, especially when she said, "God bless the doctors who believed in my son." I wish I'd had doctors like that. My son was born with brain damage which was not acknowledged by doctors until he was 3; then they just scratched their heads to say, "We don't know what to expect..." Of course, that was 46 years ago. Thank God, literally, there have been many advances since then, such that this mother can be grateful for them. I, on the other hand, - and, more importantly, my son - continue to suffer the psychological and spiritual damage that was incurred because doctors at that time weren't 'curious' as one would expect a scientist to be. Perhaps it was our pain that opened the heavens a little wider to reveal more knowledge for the relief of those who present 'unusual' signs and symptoms of impairment.

Now there's the spectrum of brain 'disorder' that is called autism, ADD/ADHD, and Alzheimer's, all of which have also affected my family. Still, doctors are scratching their heads, saying "We don't know..." I'm so tired of it. No wonder a person in the hands of an unimaginative doctor is called 'patient'. That's what one has to be.

Whenever I have asked researchers how much attention is being given to the psychospiritual/emotional implications in the abovenamed conditions, they say 'none', because there isn't any money for it. What prostitutes. They're the scientists with the so-called knowledge - why is it they aren't forthcoming in their field on behalf of those they are sworn to serve unless they're paid? Why don't we subsidize research entirely?

I encourage everyone to see the movie SICKO and then begin a nationwide conversation to reclaim responsibility for our health and well-being. As advanced as we are in this country with our technology and fancy hospitals, we are in the dark ages in terms of true health care. Notice the word 'care' in relation to the word 'health'? Do they care? Only if they get paid. Did you know that the word 'health' stems from the word 'whole'. To be whole is to be healthy, whole in body, mind and spirit, and yet the Western medical model fragments the human being into mechanical parts, neglecting the role of the mind/emotions and spirit in the health and wholeness of the individual.

What about the oath they take, 'primum non nocere' - 'first, do no harm'. I don't blame insurance companies - they never took an oath to 'first, do no harm', and they never said they were in it for anything but the money. But, doctors and hospitals who see health care as an industry, as a profit-making business, they should be fired - by their patients.

Marilyn Gulotta  08/03/2007 02:04 PM Report

I have a friend "diagnosed" with Parkinson's. She is brain smart which makes her terribly impatient and depressed, but has the shaking problems and hand-clenching associated with this disease. Could she benefit from a brain pacemaker device? She is in her upper 60's; lives in New Jersey, pretty close to the Johnson Center you mentioned. Her overall health is very good. Please advise. Thank you for this informative program!

CHarles Morrell  08/03/2007 01:41 PM Report

Exciting and inspiring news about what brain stimultion may offer traumatic brain injury cases as well as those with degenerative brain disease such as Parkinson's.

Barbara  08/03/2007 12:13 AM Report

Wonderful panel interview. I hope more individuals can be helped. I know a man that has survived for almost 20 years as the patient described. Will others be able to have the brain pacemaker?