# Is Rom Houben really conscious? (23 years conscious in "coma") **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 28, 2009, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207 "2009-11-28T04:42:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/1 "2009-11-28T04:42:18Z")
It got a lot of major press - CNN: “Trapped ‘coma’ man: How was he misdiagnosed?” > **[Trapped 'coma' man: How was he misdiagnosed? - CNN.com](https://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/24/coma.man.belgium/index.html)** > > A Belgian car crash victim who was misdiagnosed as being in a vegetative state for 23 years was conscious the whole time, it has emerged. > [@](#): > > A Belgian car crash victim who was misdiagnosed as being in a vegetative state for 23 years was conscious the whole time, it has emerged. > For years he listened to the conversations going on around him but he was unable to communicate with his doctors or family. However, it appears that he is communicating via “facilitated communication”: > **[Is coma man REALLY 'talking'? Mystery as critics slam his 'Ouija board'...](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1230747/Is-coma-man-Rom-Houben-REALLY-writing-Mystery-critics-slam-Ouija-board-typing.html)** > > Experts are casting doubt on claims that a man who doctors had believed was in a 23-year coma is truly conscious and communicating on his own. > [@](#): > > Now speech therapist Linda Wouters says she is helping Houbens tell his story - one letter at a time. > > She told APTN that she can feel Houben guiding her hand with gentle pressure from his fingers. She said feels him objecting when she moves his hand toward an incorrect letter. > > But critics have slammed the technique, raising the question of whether Houben really is awake and communicating at all. > Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said he is sceptical after seeing video of Houben’s hand being moved along the keyboard. > > ‘That’s called ‘facilitated communication,’’ Caplan said. 'That is Ouija board stuff. > 'It’s been discredited time and time again. > ‘When people look at it, it’s usually the person doing the pointing who’s doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping.’ On the other hand, in the CNN article, it says: > [@](#): > > Neurologist Dr.Steven Laureys of the University of Liege, in Belgium carried out a brain scan using state-of-the art scanning system and discovered that Houben’s brain was fully functional. So is this guy conscious or not? It sounds like the ‘facilitated communication’ stuff is unlikely to be genuine, but what about the brain scan? It sounds conclusive in the article, but I’ve learned that media reports about scientific matters are often pretty garbled. Also, I wonder if “fully functional” can still be unconscious? When I sleep, my brain is still “fully functional”, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/2 "2009-11-28T04:56:49Z")
A test would be ridiculously easy to arrange. Repeat a phrase to Houben with his “facilitator” in another room. Then see if he can type it out with her aid. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/3 "2009-11-28T06:32:15Z")
If his brain is fully functional, he should be able to see. Pick a group of three or four friends, and have one of them go in for a short while in the facilitator’s absence. Then bring the facilitator in and ask “Who was in the room with you?” Or show him a written phrase and have him repeat it with her help. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/4 "2009-11-28T12:47:32Z")
Funny that this thread appears today. The Skeptic’s Dictionnary just posted an entry about this : [clever Linda phenomenon - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com](http://www.skepdic.com/cleverlinda.html) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/5 "2009-11-28T15:28:34Z")
> [@detop](#): > > Funny that this thread appears today. The Skeptic’s Dictionnary just posted an entry about this : [clever Linda phenomenon - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com](http://www.skepdic.com/cleverlinda.html) More skepticism about “Coma Man” [here](http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/11/coma_man_dr_steven_laureys_just_doesnt_g.php#more). Long-distance diagnosing is always prolematic, but this case doesn’t meet the smell test. ---
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/6 "2009-11-29T00:25:59Z")
> [@detop](#): > > Funny that this thread appears today. The Skeptic’s Dictionnary just posted an entry about this : [clever Linda phenomenon - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com](http://www.skepdic.com/cleverlinda.html) Considering December 2009 hasn’t occured yet, I’m going to assume that is a typo. ---
**Author:** ![blinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@blinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkie)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/7 "2009-11-29T01:59:11Z")
Well as someone who was totally Locked In, hence my avatar, I can tell you that I have several friend who were Locked In for over a year before being diagnosed but I have to say this guy looks fishy to me. Locked In people don’t need a facilitater. They do need to have someone, independent, who will take the time to “translate” their eyeblinks. Theoretically they can communicate with anyone. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/8 "2009-11-29T06:49:13Z")
I don’t buy it. To be blunt, I think he and his family are being (perhaps inadvertently) used. I’ve known FC was bogus for years. If he _is_ Locked In that makes this one of the cruelest things I’ve ever heard about, because that isn’t him talking and I can’t imagine the frustration he’d be feeling. If he isn’t, then at the least a bunch of people should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for participating in this farce. I didn’t want to say it straight out when I saw a video of him, **blinkie** , because I didn’t know if you might know something I didn’t about him. I’ve been following your “Ask The” thread. I know all too well what having a little-understood rare medical issue is like, even though mine isn’t anything like as extreme. This is depressing. I hope I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/9 "2009-11-29T07:01:04Z")
If Rom can only move his toe, which I had not heard before, then the communication is obviously a fraud. I’m sorry to hear if that’s the case. It almost makes me hope he’s not fully conscious rather than being aware of being taken advantage of that way. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/10 "2009-11-29T13:27:45Z")
But if he can move his toe, the issue should be settled easily, no? ---
**Author:** ![blinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@blinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkie)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/11 "2009-11-29T16:27:52Z")
If he can move his toe he can operate a computer by himself, I have a friend who communicates that way. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/12 "2009-11-29T17:09:56Z")
blah ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/13 "2009-11-29T17:16:58Z")
I’d think it could be settled easily enough if the people around him would allow it, which is the problem. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/14 "2009-11-29T17:35:20Z")
Well, I am sure this will be demonstrated one way or another soon. However, it’s quite possible this is true. You can be quite incapable of communicating but still aware on some level. You may be incapable of moving (oartly or totally) or even opening your eyes but still able to hear and semi-interpret what you hear. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/15 "2009-11-29T19:09:12Z")
The issue, **smiling bandit** , is not so much whether he’s conscious or not but whether he is the one actually communicating here. The purported method of communication has been discredited for years. If he’s conscious enough to communicate and can do so much as move a toe then he could learn to use some sort of computer system on his own. If he’s not, then people are seeing what they wish was true. Sad. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/16 "2009-11-30T08:44:20Z")
This reminds me of the monkey sign language hoax. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/17 "2009-11-30T14:31:59Z")
> [@whiterabbit](#): > > The issue, **smiling bandit** , is not so much whether he’s conscious or not but whether he is the one actually communicating here. The purported method of communication has been discredited for years. If he’s conscious enough to communicate and can do so much as move a toe then he could learn to use some sort of computer system on his own. Yes, I know that. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/18 "2009-11-30T17:52:46Z")
Sorry, I misunderstood you then. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/19 "2009-11-30T18:13:07Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > This reminds me of the monkey sign language hoax. Are you talking about Koko, the sign language gorilla? From what I’ve read, it seems that Koko’s communications are usually requests for food, tickling, and assuring her keeper that she’s been a good gorilla. The kind of thing my dog would tell me if he could talk. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo\_Pin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mojo\_Pin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo_Pin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207/20 "2009-11-30T19:05:24Z")
> [@blinkie](#): > > If he can move his toe he can operate a computer by himself, I have a friend who communicates that way. But I just saw a video of him moving his entire torso and arms! The assisting lady walked over to him and it seemed like he had an automatic reaction of scrunching up his body. I can’t seem to find the video now, but I’m 99% sure I saw this. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207.md?page=2)