#JusticeForSajilManShakya

It’s nearly half a year since my husband (Sajil Man Shakya)has been in a state of coma. As of 7th January 2024, Revised-Coma Recovery Scale(CRS-R)-11 (Based on this scale-his state of conciousness is defined as minimal conciousState-MCS)People in a minimally conscious state do some things that indicate some awareness of self and of their environment, such as making eye contact People in this state require comprehensive care, including good nutrition and measures to prevent problems due to not being able to move (such as pressure sores).The longer a minimally conscious state lasts, the less function people are likely to regain.

As per the doctors research and possible treatment for Sajil, on 29th November,2023 Spinal cord stimulator(SCS)was inserted into the epidural space of the cervical vertebrae, and placed at cervical levels C2-C4. Five-hertz stimulation is applied for 5 min every 30 min during the daytime at an intensity that produced muscle twitches of the upper extremities. This SCS method could be a new neuromodulation and neurorehabilitation technique for minimally conscious state patients.

When a person emerges out of a coma, physical therapy is an instrumental segment on the road to recovery. Physical therapy is a crucial way for individuals who have gone through a coma to improve their motor skills and stimulate brain function. Many cases, individuals will need to relearn how to use their muscles and joints, yielding a lot of pain. In physical rehabilitation, without pain, there will be no gain. Hence everyday two sessions of physiotherapy is done aiming to facilitate arousal and postural control, increase pulmonary ventilation and improve circulation. There are cases where acupuncture has helped to arouse coma patients with severe brain injuries hence, as suggested by the doctors session of acupuncture is done daily as Some studies have shown that acupuncture could improve blood circulation to the brain, promote the recovery and regeneration of brain nerve cells, stimulate nerve cells in a “dormant” state, and relieve cortical inhibition, thus facilitating the recovery of the patient’s state of consciousness Also as per doctor’s recommendation as the tracheostomy has been removed we have been advised to give speech therapy to Sajil. As In the early stages of recovery, especially if the patient is in a coma, speech therapy focuses on helping the person respond to sensory stimulation and also teaches the person’s caregiver and other family members how to communicate with their loved one. Hence, we have started speech therapy as well In terms of giving best treatment to Sajil we have had conference with doctors from other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, India, America as well. However, they have recommended that we are doing the best for Sajil and that is what needs to be continued until Sajil gains a bit of consciousness and we can take him abroad for further treatment.