Dr. Hammesfahr said he has examined Terri Schiavo three separate times for a total of over 10 hours.

"There are many approaches that would help Terri Schiavo. I know, because I had the opportunity to personally examine her, her medical records, and her X-rays."

The doctor has helped patients with chronic brain injuries - including hypoxic encephalopathy, Schiavo's injury - recover. Judge Susan Kirkland of the Florida Department of Health said that he was "the first physician to restore deficits caused by stroke."

Dr. Hammesfahr was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1999. In 2000, his work resulted in approval for the first patent in history granted for the treatment of neurological diseases with medications that restore blood flow to the brain.

"It's time to help Terri instead of just warehousing her," Dr. Hammesfahr said. "She would have benefited from treatment years ago, but it is not too late to start now."

Editor's note: