The locked-in syndrome is more than just a brainstem stroke with
quadriplegia. The suffering and courage of locked-in patients has captured the
public’s imagination, because we can all identify with such patients. We realize
intuitively that the locked-in syndrome is a metaphor for the loneliness,
helplessness, and hopelessness of life. With few exceptions, we are all “locked-
in” bad jobs, bad relationships, bad marriages, and bad financial, legal, or
health problems. Let’s dedicate ourselves to finding the key to opening all
locked-in states.
Rapid Response:
Life is a locked-in syndrome
The locked-in syndrome is more than just a brainstem stroke with
quadriplegia. The suffering and courage of locked-in patients has captured the
public’s imagination, because we can all identify with such patients. We realize
intuitively that the locked-in syndrome is a metaphor for the loneliness,
helplessness, and hopelessness of life. With few exceptions, we are all “locked-
in” bad jobs, bad relationships, bad marriages, and bad financial, legal, or
health problems. Let’s dedicate ourselves to finding the key to opening all
locked-in states.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests