Coma Irreversible for Scuba Diver at Ginnie Springs
2nd July 2008
The coma that enveloped Shannon Leigh Lewis, one of Austin's most honored spoken-word poets, turned irreversible Monday.
She had entered the coma after a June 14 cave diving accident near Ginnie Springs, Florida.
According to multiple reports, Lewis, an
experienced diver, was swimming with two other
divers, returning alone to the entrance of the
cave because of an equilibrium problem. A diving
instructor from another group discovered her
unconscious. She was brought her to the surface
with the help of another diver.
Renowned 20-year-old poet Shannon Leigh was
critically injured in a scuba diving accident at
Florida's Ginnie Springs. Doctors now consider
her to be in an irreversible coma.
"Recreation diving and cave diving are apples and
oranges," said Dan Misiaszek, retired dive
recovery commander with San Marcos Area Recovery Team. "Cave diving requires specialized training and equipment. Even with the proper training and equipment, things can still go wrong."
Lewis had lingered in a coma for days. Monday
morning, in Gainesville, Fla. doctors said Lewis
showed no brain activity. As of early Tuesday
afternoon, however, she had not been removed from the ventilator.
"I realize that some people may think that just
because a machine is pumping air in and out and
stirring your blood around that means you are
living," said poetry promoter and family friend
Ron Horne. "Shannon is still gone. The doctors
announced it yesterday; they have been waiting for the boyfriend to say goodbye before they pull the plug."
After the medical news Monday, dozens of poets had posted memories and tributes on her MySpace page and other poetry sites.
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