The story of Sarah Scantlin is fascinating to many as she was able to awake from a coma after 20 years. What is most amazing is the dedication and patience of her family and best friend. In 1984 Sarah was hit by a drunk driver who fled the scene. She was walking to her car with her friend, Lori Shockley. Lori was unharmed but Sarah sustained a traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage. For twenty years Sarah lived in a minimally responsive state of consciousness. Sarah’s family, as well as Lori, visited her for twenty years. Lori remained loyal and always felt devastated about her friend.
In 2004, Sarah surprised her family and best friend when she began speaking. No one was prepared for that especially since they visited her for twenty years with no response. Sarah had minimal activity during that time. She stared blankly and could not communicate. She made some improvements when she cried out at one time and she could follow someone with her eyes. But that was the extent of it. She was well cared for at Golden Plains Healthcare center (now Diversicare of Hutchinson).
When Sarah was able to communicate and see those around her, she commented about how old everyone looked. After all, she went into a coma when she was a freshman in college. Her best friend, Lori put make-up on her and they talked. Sarah was disabled but she was able to go outside in a wheelchair and see her surroundings. Her long term memory was preserved and she was able to recall events in her life. She remembered her school and teachers.
The staff at the healthcare center helped Sarah with speech therapy (forming words and adding emotion), physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Eventually, she was able to feed herself. The family and her friend, Lori enjoyed lots of fun times. They drove around, visited old friends, and Sarah’s previous high school. Mostly they laughed and enjoyed every moment with Sarah.
On May 20, 2016, Sarah Scantlin died at fifty years old. Her family and friends will always be grateful for the time they shared together.
Wow I can’t believe that. It’s great the family got to see her one last time
That’s an amazing story. I saw a video about it on YouTube. It will make you cry when you listen to the parents and the best friend and how much they cared for her.