HELP! Can't think of a name from the news circa 1970's?

[d.kurz]

I can't remember the name of the girl who was on life support for years and years while there were court battles going on to unplug her support. And when they unplugged her she continued to live anyhow? I wonder if she' still alive?? And what the heck was her name?
Thanks!

 

[Deb in IA]

Karen Ann Quinlan.

Yes, she lived for several years after life support was discontinued. I believe she is now dead.

The cause of her persistant vegetative state was thought to be due to a combination of Quaaludes and alcohol, but never conclusively proven.

 

[Michelle]

Are you thinking of Karen Ann Quinlan?

 

[Big Dude]

Karen Ann Quinlan was the first modern icon of the right-to-die debate. The 21-year-old Quinlan collapsed after swallowing alcohol and tranquilizers at a party in 1975. Doctors saved her life, but she suffered brain damage and lapsed into a "persistent vegetative state." Her family waged a much-publicized legal battle for the right to remove her life support machinery. They succeeded, but in a final twist Quinlan kept breathing after the respirator was unplugged. She remained in a coma for almost 10 years in a New Jersey nursing home until her 1985 death.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[d.kurz]

THAT'S IT!!! Thanks. We were going round and round here at work about it and I knew if I posted it, I'd have a quick answer!

DISing pays off once again!!

Thanks again.

 

[honeywolf7]

I thought her first name was Karen but I couldn't remember the whole name.