You Need a Ventilator

My father was on a ventilator (2007), and against his will. He ended up having a tracheostomy, something he would never have wanted. I do want to make a comment about something in this article — about not being able to speak (yes), but in the case of my father, he could clearly communicate. He did so with his eyes, nodding yes or no, and the rather obvious definitive signal with his left arm pounding the bed when someone posed a question that he felt strongly about. He was completely aware of his surroundings. This only added to the hardship of his situation.