Incest dungeon girl wakes from coma

[rem16]

(CNN) -- A 19-year-old girl whose hospitalization exposed a shocking Austrian incest case has woken from her coma -- a development that could shed new light on what ocurred in the basement were she was held captive for decades.

Doctors placed Kerstin Fritzl in an artificial coma in April after she emerged for the first time from the cellar where she was held captive from birth by her father Josef.

Kerstin, along with six other children, was born from Josef Fritzl's incestuous relationship with his daughter Elisabeth, now 43, who he raped repeatedly during the 24 years she spent imprisoned beneath his home.

Police say Fritzl, 73, has confessed to holding his Elisabeth captive, and fathering seven children -- six of whom survived.

Kerstin was admitted to hospital in Amstetten, west of Vienna, in an unconscious state after Elisabeth persuaded Fritzl she needed medical attention. Suspicious medics alerted police who opened an investigation.

Detectives began investigating the case after hospital officials started inquiring about the girl's family history.

Kerstin, and two of her brothers, aged 18 and five, had spent their entire lives in trapped the cellar with their mother, never seeing daylight -- their only contact with the outside world a television.

Another three children Fritzl fathered with Elisabeth were taken to live above ground with Fritzl and and his wife, who says she had no idea her daughter was being held captive. A seventh child died shortly after birth.

Elisabeth and her children have been treated at a secure medical unit since their release.

Officials at hospital in Amstetten, Austria did not release any more information about Kerstin Fritzl's condition. A news conference on the case is scheduled for Wednesday.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/10/austria.fritzl/index.html

[wheezer]

Oh, Thank God she is awake. I was so worried. Now, comes the real recovery. Mental and Emotional. She has to be in a state of shock. She has awakened into a world which she never knew. In some ways I can't wait until they give them new I.D.'s, then they can hopefully live in some peace. Yet, I have to admit, I do like hearing the progress. This story IMO truly shows the depths of the human spirit, the will to survive. Thanks for the article Rem16.

[LiveLaughLuv]

Excellent! I am so happy she recovered. Poor child.

Oh, Thank God she is awake. I was so worried. Now, comes the real recovery. Mental and Emotional. She has to be in a state of shock. She has awakened into a world which she never knew. In some ways I can't wait until they give them new I.D.'s, then they can hopefully live in some peace. Yet, I have to admit, I do like hearing the progress. This story IMO truly shows the depths of the human spirit, the will to survive. Thanks for the article Rem16.

Ditto for me! No sense in repeating, ITA!

[NJ_Nurse]

Hopefully she will have lots of counseling, love, healing and support from now on. I will keep her in my prayers. :1222423:

[rem16]

(CNN) -- The 19-year-old girl whose hospitalization exposed a shocking Austrian incest case is recovering well, her doctors and a family lawyer said Wednesday.

She and other children who were held captive, sometime for decades, are also slowly adapting to modern life, they said.

Kerstin Fritzl, who doctors placed in an artificial coma after she was admitted to a hospital in April for multiple organ failure, is now well enough to speak, stand and walk with assistance, her doctors said.

The two parts of her family -- those who were locked in a basement, like Kerstin, and those who lived above ground, apparently unaware of the abuse of their mother and siblings -- are getting to know each other again, the doctors and lawyer said.

"We are so glad that things have turned out so positively so far," said lawyer Christoph Herbst, who appeared at a news conference at the clinic in Amstetten, west of Vienna, where Kerstin and her family are now recovering.

Kerstin is the oldest daughter of an incestuous relationship between her mother, Elisabeth, 43, and Elisabeth's father, Josef Fritzl, 73. Police say Josef confessed to holding Elisabeth captive since 1984 and raping her repeatedly, fathering seven children with her. Six of the children survived.

Kerstin fell unconscious in April and Elisabeth persuaded her father that she needed urgent medical attention. Kerstin was admitted to a hospital in Amstetten, where staff grew suspicious and called police, who opened an investigation and uncovered the abuse.

Kerstin was suffering from kidney, lung, and liver failure when she arrived at the hospital, said Dr. Albert Reiter, director of the hospital. Doctors were able to turn her health around but they kept her in a coma with artificial respiration for weeks, he said.

Doctors started reducing Kerstin's medication May 12, allowing her to emerge from the coma, he said. Three days later, she opened her eyes and smiled at her carers, he said, and doctors were soon able to take the breathing tube from her throat.

Her mother was at Kerstin's bedside regularly, and doctors credited that with helping Kerstin's health improve.

Sunday, Kerstin finally met with other family members and was able to say hello to them, he said. Kerstin and the rest of the family were also able to move into an apartment at a regional clinic nearby.

It was a special moment where, walking, we were able to support her and cross the threshold into a new house and into a new life," Reiter said.

Kerstin and two of her brothers, ages 18 and 5, had spent their entire lives trapped in the cellar with their mother, never seeing daylight. A television was their only contact with the outside world.

Doctors said "little novelties" such as seeing a cloud go by are now big events for the former captives.

Kerstin has said she wants to see the ocean and go to a concert by Robbie Williams, the British singer, said Dr. Berhold Kepplinger, director of the clinic where the family are now living. He described how excited Kerstin was to hear Robbie Williams songs in her hospital room, and that she was moving around to the music so much that doctors even had to quiet her down.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/11/austria.fritzl/index.html

...more at link

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/11/austria.fritzl/index.html

[Harmony]

Oh, Thank God she is awake. I was so worried. Now, comes the real recovery. Mental and Emotional. She has to be in a state of shock. She has awakened into a world which she never knew. In some ways I can't wait until they give them new I.D.'s, then they can hopefully live in some peace. Yet, I have to admit, I do like hearing the progress. This story IMO truly shows the depths of the human spirit, the will to survive. Thanks for the article Rem16.

Great post Wheezer! My sentiments exactly!