Helga M. Wanglie (October 20, 1903 – July 4, 1991)Helga Wanglie
/ref> was an elderly woman in a

persistent vegetative state A persistent vegetative state (PVS) or post-coma unresponsiveness (PCU) is a disorder of consciousness in which patients with severe brain damage are in a state of partial arousal rather than true awareness. After four weeks in a vegetative stat ...

who became the object of a 1991 lawsuit over whether to continue life-sustaining care. Wanglie suffered a fall on December 14, 1989, and subsequently developed respiratory problems and pneumonia. She became dependent on a

medical ventilator A ventilator is a piece of health technology, medical technology that provides mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insuffici ...

. In May 1990, she suffered severe brain damage while hospitalized at Hennepin County Medical Center in

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

. Her doctors concluded that it was not in her best interest to be kept alive. Her family wished to keep her on life support, and the hospital brought the matter to the Hennepin County Court for resolution. Judge Patricia Belois decided in favor of the family by assigning Wanglie's husband, Oliver Wanglie, as her

guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unite ...

. She died on July 4, 1991, from multiple organ failure, a few days after the court's decision. Between December 1989 and May 1991, Wanglie's medical expenses totaled US$800,000, and were paid in full by Medicare and a supplemental insurer, Physician's Health Plan.

References

External links

''Associated Press'' 2 July 1991. Judge Rejects Request by Doctors To Remove a Patient's Respirator
1903 births 1991 deaths People with traumatic brain injuries People with disorders of consciousness People from Minneapolis {{US-law-stub