Mark D'Avella

23 year coma patient, an unintentional hoax?  That is very well possible after numerous scientists involved with the study of facilitated communication have come forward.

According to Randi, facilitated communication could only be considered credible if the facilitator didn’t look at the keyboard or screen while supporting Houben’s hand, and helped him type messages in response to questions she had not heard, thus ensuring that Houben’s responses are entirely his own.

The James Randi Educational Foundation has offered a million-dollar prize to a valid demonstration of facilitated communication, and Randi invited Houben to participate. “Our prize is still there,” he said.

Seeing as how there is a one million-dollar prize that is available, I see no reason why Houben wouldn’t want to claim it.  Unless, she is unsure if her subconscious was actually involved.  Similarly, I think for truth to prevail the credible process described above needs to be implemented with media present.  Not to make a spectacle of the poor soul but to prevent any further misdiagnosis and hope within their own family and other families dealing with similar situations.

Source: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/24/conscious-coma-mans.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boingboing%2FiBag+(Boing+Boing)&utm_content=Google+Reader