I did a search to try to find out information on how Donald Herbert was doing. I found a few good links, and decided to post them.
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1. 'Something clicked' for brain-damaged man
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New drug helped firefighter recover after nearly 10 years Buffalo firefighter Donald Herbert was severely injured while fighting a house fire in 1995. After spending nearly 10 years brain-damaged and mostly mute, he regained his speech.
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http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7748225

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2. Health & Science
Understanding Donald Herbert's Stunning Reawakening
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All Things Considered, May 5, 2005 · Firefighter Donald Herbert suddenly became lucid Saturday after living in an unresponsive state for 10 years. Robert Siegel talks with neurologist Dr. James Bernat, a professor at Dartmouth Medical School.
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Understanding Donald Herbert's Stunning Reawakening
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3. Brain-Damaged Firefighter Talks
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y., May 3,2005
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Brain Damaged Firefighter Talks Article Link