Paralysed man blinked to stay alive as life support machine was about to be turned off

BBC documentary captures moment patient pleaded with doctors for his life
Case underlines the potential pitfalls of living wills, campaigners claim
By David Derbyshire and Andrew Levy
14th July 2010

It is a decision no parent ever wants to make. But as the Rudd family watched their 43-year-old son lying paralysed and comatose on a life support machine, they came to a terrible conclusion.
Recalling a conversation where Richard told them he wouldn't want to be trapped in a useless body, his relatives agreed it was time to let him go.

Yet even as the Rudd family mentally prepared to say goodbye, his doctor made a startling discovery.

Despite his devastating spinal injuries, Richard Rudd was still able to blink his eyes in response to simple questions.

And when asked if he wanted to stay alive, the father of two's answer was a categoric 'Yes'. the rest

The programme last night reignited the controversy over living wills, where people declare in advance how they wish to be treated if they are seriously ill and unable to communicate.