The Documentary Coma by Liz Garbus - Essay Example

The film is the story of four patients - Tom Segars, Roxanne Guzman, Sean Reilly, Al'Khan Edwards with traumatic head injuries. The film begins with the patients already in a vegetative state or in a minimally conscious state. These are young patients and as the film unwinds the viewer listens and watches as doctors, parents and patients struggle to understand or be understood. Mothers are flung backward to a time when their kids were infants, and they try desperately to revive memories and pray for heavenly guidance. I agree with the comment in the LA Times that the film is “hard to watch, and hard not to keep watching.” (Llyod, LA Times )

            I was very moved by the film. It is a chilling reminder of the uncertainties of life. It also highlights the treatments and rehabilitation facilities available. However, I do think that it could have been more instructive about the various outcomes of such head injuries as well as other centers in the country for the treatment and rehabilitation of such patients. I think it could also have spoken about the limitations of rehabilitating such patients as well as the benefits of organ donation and the finance options available to families of such patients.

            I have learned that despite the advances in medical sciences we know so little about the brain, what a complex organ it is, and how difficult it is to deal with injuries to it.  The outcome of this kind of injury is devastating not only for the sufferer who may or may not be aware, but worse for his/her family who has to deal with the trauma of seeing their loved one in such a situation.