50/60 year old Amnesia Victim Savannah, GA Thread #2

[SeriouslySearching]

Here is the last thread: 50/60 year old Amnesia... (http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=53847)

[MaconChange]

Dear Mxxxxxxxx,
I am amazed at how much time and effort you and your fellow websleuthers have put into Benjaman Kyle’s case. Thank you so much.
I got in touch with Mr. Kyle and we took a good look at the photos and profile for Steve Dewey. He does not believe it is him. The noses are very different and Steve Dewey’s jaw line is more square. His facial shape and expressions don’t seem to match, especially, when compared to all of Mr. Kyle’s photos (from the TV news, newspaper as well as the ones I forwarded). I prefer to believe that every time one possibility is eliminated, we are one step closer to uncovering his true identity.
On a more positive note, The National Enquirer wants to profile Mr. Kyle. We might be seeing that in a couple of weeks. I don’t have a date for the article yet. Their circulation is supposed to be about 1.5 to 2 million readers (not counting the ones who just peek at it while waiting on line in the grocery store without actually buying it).
Thanks again and please give a big thank you from us to all of your fellow websleuthers, too.
Sincerely,
Kxxxxxxxxxxx

[marysawol]

ok, I know I'm new here and no one else is publically making a statement to the nurses note,,,and I certainly don't want to offend anyone by any means. But,,,,,,

the thing about the National Enquirer really bothers me. Anyone else?

[SeriouslySearching]

Let me start by saying this is deeply disturbing.

I feel the overlays prove the facial features do match. There are other things which match, too.

*BK said he thought he recalled living in Colorado and Indiana. Steve lived in Colorado and was from a northern state (Heyworth, Illinois).

*BK said he thought he had 3 brothers. Steve had 3 brothers.

If you can see other parallels here, please feel free.

My hinky meter is ringing off the charts after reading the letter from the nurse.

[MaconChange]

ok, I know I'm new here and no one else is publically making a statement to the nurses note,,,and I certainly don't want to offend anyone by any means. But,,,,,,

the thing about the National Enquirer really bothers me. Anyone else?

I'm just curious, do they pay people for the stories they publish?

[rmf]

I wouldn't get too discouraged until the FBI rules him out. The nurse seems like a nice enough person but I'd be interested to see what LE thinks about this.

[rmf]

I'm just curious, do they pay people for the stories they publish?


Sometimes, yes.

[marysawol]

I'm just curious, do they pay people for the stories they publish?

I'm pretty sure they do.

[MidnightMyst]

:(



that's all I can say....

[SeriouslySearching]

The National Enquirer mention really makes me uncomfortable, to be honest. I have never heard of anyone missing turning to the NE before...but then I don't read that rag. I prefer to get my information from trusted media outlets.

[marysawol]

The National Enquirer mention really makes me uncomfortable, to be honest. I have never heard of anyone missing turning to the NE before...but then I don't read that rag. I prefer to get my information from trusted media outlets.


exactly my feeling

[MaconChange]

The National Enquirer mention really makes me uncomfortable, to be honest. I have never heard of anyone missing turning to the NE before...but then I don't read that rag. I prefer to get my information from trusted media outlets.


I feel the same way...

[SeriouslySearching]

I wouldn't get too discouraged until the FBI rules him out. The nurse seems like a nice enough person but I'd be interested to see what LE thinks about this.Will the FBI keep going to rule him out if Mr. Kyle feels it is not him? I would have to assume they could not exactly trust Mr. Kyle's judgement because he has no memories...so wouldn't this mean they would be required to fully investigate this as a possible match?

[Gina_M]

I wouldn't get too discouraged until the FBI rules him out. The nurse seems like a nice enough person but I'd be interested to see what LE thinks about this.

I agree. The FBI need to take a look at this. BK did say he'd be willing submit DNA and such to compare with potential matches.

[Gina_M]

I feel the overlays prove the facial features do match. There are other things which match, too.

*BK said he thought he recalled living in Colorado and Indiana. Steve lived in Colorado and was from a northern state (Heyworth, Illinois).

*BK said he thought he had 3 brothers. Steve had 3 brothers.



I agree. And Heyworth Illinois is quite close to Indiana.

BK mentioned in the interview that he thought he went to Catholic school. Do we know if Steve Dewey went to Catholic school? Websleuths is being really slow for me right now but I will try to check the previous thread.

[marysawol]

Let me start by saying this is deeply disturbing.

I feel the overlays prove the facial features do match. There are other things which match, too.

*BK said he thought he recalled living in Colorado and Indiana. Steve lived in Colorado and was from a northern state (Heyworth, Illinois).

*BK said he thought he had 3 brothers. Steve had 3 brothers.

If you can see other parallels here, please feel free.

My hinky meter is ringing off the charts after reading the letter from the nurse.

same height
weight is basically the same
mustache looks identical
hair coloring (even with age) looks the same
eyes look the same color

[dottierainbow]

I'm wondering if they understood the overlay. They may be computer illiterate like I am. The overlay side by side is what convinced me they may be one of the same.

[Gina_M]

I wonder if the nurse and BK are looking at any differences so closely that they are not noticing all the similarities. Kinda like when you don't notice that you resemble someone in your own family, but everyone else notices it.

[Gina_M]

I'm wondering if they understood the overlay. They may be computer illiterate like I am. The overlay side by side is what convinced me they may be one of the same.

Yes, I wonder that too. Perhaps the overlay should be explained to them?
I wonder if they read the posts about the overlay with the descriptions of how it's done.

[dottierainbow]

The side by side is the best one to use I believe.

[Gina_M]

Benjaman on Doe Network:
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1007umga.html

Article: A Real Live Nobody:
http://savannahnow.com/node/364434

Article with video interview: Amnesia victim looks for answers:
http://www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/news.apx.-content-articles-SAV-2007-10-15-0025.html

[Gina_M]

Family holds memorial for missing Heyworth native
PANTAGRAPH STAFF (http://javascript%3cb%3e%3c/b%3E:void%280%29;). Pantagraph (http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=318&pmid=33010&TS=1193073230&clientId=72171&VInst=PROD&VName=PQD&VType=PQD). Bloomington, Ill.: Nov 23, 2004 (http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=572&VType=PQD&VName=PQD&VInst=PROD&pmid=33010&pcid=14187811&SrchMode=3). pg. B.5


Abstract (Summary) Rescue workers with boats and planes searched for six days around the islands west of Morocco, and his family hired private investigators. His employer, the multinational agribusiness company Sygenta, posted a Web site, www.steve-dewey.com (http://www.steve-dewey.com/), to ask for help.


» Jump to indexing (document details) (http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=748804331&SrchMode=1&sid=4&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1192999235&clientId=72171#indexing)
Full Text (201 words)
Copyright Pantagraph Publishing Co. Nov 23, 2004

HEYWORTH -- Steven Dewey, a talented, three-sport athlete at Heyworth High School in the early 1970s, turned his hand to wind- surfing during a family vacation in August in the Canary Islands.
He disappeared around 1 p.m. Aug. 3 off the coast of Fuerteventura.
Rescue workers with boats and planes searched for six days around the islands west of Morocco, and his family hired private investigators. His employer, the multinational agribusiness company Sygenta, posted a Web site, www.steve-dewey.com (http://www.steve-dewey.com/), to ask for help.
Family members finally concluded he won't be found, so they memorialized him with a service on Monday at the Heyworth United Methodist Church.
"This is in place of a funeral," said his brother, Bob Dewey of Heyworth. "We don't have his body -- they didn't find anything -- but we wanted to have some closure on this. It's been hard on the family."
Steven Dewey, 50, was an agribusiness executive based in Basel, Switzerland, for Sygenta.
Survivors include his wife, Gwen; two sons, Kirk, 21, and Eric, 15; a daughter, Hannah, 19; his mother, Joanne Dewey; and a sister, Susan Rehtmeyer, McLean.
Memorials may be made to Heyworth High School, where he graduated in 1972.
[Illustration]Steven Dewey

[Gina_M]

Article about Steve Dewey: Relatives remember lost windsurfer
http://www.tenerifenews.com/cms/front_content.php?idart=672

[Chloekins]

Ive been a long time lurker and have been following this thread for a while now. I just wanted to say I'm very impressed and touched by all the hard work everyone here has put into finding this mans identity. You all are truly an inspiration.

I don't know anything about amnesia but I would think that one would be able to recognize themselves were they to see a picture of themselves. Could it be possible that the recognition of self would be altered?

Its such a pity I thought for sure this was the one!
The only thing that has kept me from going all the way was that Ben has both surgical scars on his jaw and his elbow, the missing man has nothing stated to that effect.

[dottierainbow]

I'm also wondering if its fear of the unknown letting go of the person he knows as Benjamin Kyle. I really would hate to walk in his shoes.

[satemplet]

I posted this on page 1 but will post again here,Do you think this man could be him?
http://www.nampn.org/cases/poole_gary.html

I know this man is younger but being homeless can make you look older than what you are and his height was probably just an estimate.
Here are the two photos
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/satemplet/poole_gary.jpg
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/satemplet/202282929.jpg

Can anyone do an overlay?
Thanks

[SeriouslySearching]

It isn't a surgical scar on his jaw, but his neck. I had forgotten about that myself. I would be interested to know if Mr. Dewey did have such scars present.

[KT Can]

Sorry guys, had to step away for a few & then get caught up on the posts. Any publicity is good publicity but in context with the received response the NE thing leave$ me $cratching my head a bit. To dismiss Dewey so quickly,or anyone for that matter, is puzzling. It has been more than 3 years since BK was found & I personally wouldn't expect him, a person who has been through the ringer, to look exactly the same as he did then. Age, time, stress, changes in eating habits, etc. can change a person drastically. I understand that the circumstances of Dewey's desappearance make him a long-long-long shot, but as we all know from being on this board, stranger things have happened.

From what I have read, other than the amnesia, BK is healed of all of his injuries & no longer lives or works at the hospital & is living with friends... so what role does a nurse play in his life now? Is this a nurse who treated him & then became a friend after the fact? Just curious as to the relationship.

[SuziQ]

KT CAN, you have a pm

[SuziQ]

And I don't think the noses are different. I think they are a perfect match.

[Chloekins]

It isn't a surgical scar on his jaw, but his neck. I had forgotten about that myself. I would be interested to know if Mr. Dewey did have such scars present.

Its quite noticeable in the one picture from the side. I would imagine that it would be something that would be mentioned had the missing gentleman had such a scar.

I know this may be a bit far fetched but could Ben have been living in Canada when he disappeared? I think we should perhaps include Canada in our missing persons searches.

Another thing that keeps bugging me is the lack of clothing. If he was lost at sea he would still have had to walk a certain distance nude. I cant imagine people ignoring a large (6 footer) naked man walking down a busy city street such as the one on which he was found. We unfortunately all know that killers try to rid their victims of any identifying clues in order to thwart law enforcement. Could this be the real reason to the lack of clothing? Was Ben assaulted with the intention of leaving him for dead?

One last thought, now I do not know how long one would have to lay in the sun in order to induce UV related cataracts but I assume it would be an excessive amount of time. I just wanted to throw this out in the air but I read recently in a journal that airline pilots and fisherman are more likely to develop cortical cataracts as a result of long term UV exposure.

Sorry about all of this , just thinking out loud.

[DawnTCB]

I really would hate to walk in his shoes.

I was thinking of this today... I would imagine that after so long of being a "real life nobody" it would get more and more difficult to imagine the truth... each dead end, each non-match would add to the belief (internal, and largely unspoken I would imagine) that the miracle will not occur, and so all possibilities are dismissed... The fear of the unknown is far worse than the safety of his known, I would imagine, no matter how much he believes in his conscious mind that he really wants to find his past.

That said, I would wish he would look into this more carefully. So many things match, and facial expressions mean diddley to me at this point. :) We don't know if the pictures of Mr. Dewey are even capturing his "facial expressions", and from what I have seen on this board, too many missing people photos are posed, staged photos of them looking "perfect"... not how they look after they haven't slept, or looking surprised over their shoulder, or fondly at a little puppy.... :) I think most of Steve's look the same. "Say Cheese!" photos, if you will, not real life.

The National Enquirer does raise some concerns for me, but my heart is saying they wouldn't want just BK... they would want his match too. Are they reading here? Did they send someone out already? Grrr. :razz:

Also the part about the noses not matching just really throws me. I did the Photoshop on my own as I mentioned and those two pictures the noses matched EXACTLY. Not way off, not a little off, not off at all. I am stumped by that comment.

Finally, I am wondering, is it possible to work this from the Dewey side? I would really like to know about the elbow scar BK has and whether Dewey had one. As someone mentioned earlier, that would solve this for me once and for all.

[rhyno1974]

I think it is great all the work everyone is putting into this and I agree they do resemble each other a lot, but not enough to think that it is a match let alone a perfect match. Just my two cents.

[Elphaba]

*raises my hand from the lurking peanut gallery* I have been searching out Canadian missing adult reports... with not much success.

Keep this in mind: just like celebrities have lookalikes, your average Joe or Jane can have them, too. BK and Stewey could just be that... lookalikes with only minor differences that aren't easily detectable. What I would like to know: are there any images of BK from when he was first found. That would help a great deal in being able to match him up to Dewey, if they are one in the same.

And a note of support: please don't get disappointed if these 2 men are not the same person. You guys have really worked hard with the best of intentions... I find that awesome. Keep it up!!!

[rmf]

I have a question and forgive me if I missed it in the earlier thread:

The Doe Network page says BK weighs 240 lbs. Mr. Dewey's site says he weighed approx. 190 lbs. I am curious if anyone was able to find out what BK weighed when they found him? If he weighed 240 THEN, then I think it is highly unlikely BK is the missing man. If we carry the hypotheses forward that he somehow got caught in a current in the Atlantic and ended up on the southern coast, that would mean he'd probably lost a lot of weight during the journey and due to exposure. If he's gained weight since being found then that would make more sense, but I was just curious about the weight? Anyone know?

[Gina_M]

I have a question and forgive me if I missed it in the earlier thread:

The Doe Network page says BK weighs 240 lbs. Mr. Dewey's site says he weighed approx. 190 lbs. I am curious if anyone was able to find out what BK weighed when they found him? If he weighed 240 THEN, then I think it is highly unlikely BK is the missing man. If we carry the hypotheses forward that he somehow got caught in a current in the Atlantic and ended up on the southern coast, that would mean he'd probably lost a lot of weight during the journey and due to exposure. If he's gained weight since being found then that would make more sense, but I was just curious about the weight? Anyone know?



Good point. I assumed he'd put on some weight after being found...though I would think they'd have noted what he weighed when he was found and used that on the Doe Network. Steve Dewey could have put on some weight before he was lost, but not that much. Since he was windsurfing he was probably in pretty good shape.

[Gina_M]

I posted this on page 1 but will post again here,Do you think this man could be him?
http://www.nampn.org/cases/poole_gary.html

I know this man is younger but being homeless can make you look older than what you are and his height was probably just an estimate.
Here are the two photos
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/satemplet/poole_gary.jpg
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/satemplet/202282929.jpg

Can anyone do an overlay?
Thanks


I'm sure Dimples will be on soon. She is great at doing overlays. Thanks for the suggestion! We do need to keep our options open. Welcome to Websleuths :D

[dimples37398]

I am up now it is 8 am here........Let me know if there is anything important I missed.....

Kel

[dottierainbow]

Kel, Do you know how the nurse was invited to come here?

[phenolred]

Wow I just got back, and I am soooo Disappointed about the response from the nurse. I thought she/they would be AS excited as WE were about the similarites, the side by side is just amazing, you cant take any old joe blow and do a side by side or overlay and have them be that much of a match. Even if they thopught it wasnt him I am surprised they werent amazed about how much they look alike, like twins separted at birth, like I said in a previous post I wonder if we can find out if Dewey was adopted.

I dont think
Gary David Poole looks like match because of the hairlines it looks like Garys hairline is more receded than BK's.

[fox1950]

MaconChange-Wow, what a typo. Sorry. I should re-read what I type.:doh:

[Synthia1021]

Kel, Do you know how the nurse was invited to come here?

I think I might be the source of that.. After reading the article that was first written about BK, I emailed the reporter of the article with several questions about BK when this thread was first started. I think the reporter must have forwarded it to the nurse as I got an email from her.

[dottierainbow]

Do we actually know that the reporter invited this person? I'm only asking because what if it was a hoaxter? I'm not saying she was but I've seen them on Websleuths before. Did she give anything to show she is who she says she is?
I know some people who have been kicked off come back resurrected as someone else. I'm truly sorry if I'm out of line. I don't mean to offend but want to make sure.

[DawnTCB]

I have concerns about Dottie's issue as well. No offense to anyone.

[Gina_M]

The nurse addressed Synthia1021 in her first post here, even though Synthia1021 had mainly been lurking on the thread. So I think it is from Synthia contacting the reporter:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53847&page=3

[Synthia1021]

Dottie

You have a PM

[Synthia1021]

Actually, I have had several posts on here.. usually I lurk, but I have been quite active with this one, as much as I can be at work..

My initial first posting here was a possible match, but the dates were wrong, then I saw the questions posted, so I thought I would email the reporter with some of the questions, I never got a reply from the reporter, but an answer from the nurse that was posted here which is the link that in post #45.

Since then I had two other private emails from the nurse that was about possible matches that were ruled out, I didn't post them here, because the two matches that I was speaking of were already posted here as not possible.

Also SS who has been keeping track of the states that have been searched. I completed NH, ME and VT.. but didn't find anything that was even close, using several different search options. I would be glad to help in any other way. Just let me know.. Thanks, Synthia

[dottierainbow]

Thank you synthia.

[SuziQ]

Thank you Synthia, here is the latest list. I will pick up more states, but I am following the San Diego County fires as I have family there.

Benjaman Kyle Search List
*States completed

CO-Dimples*
IN-Phenolred
IN-Gina M
ME-Synthia*
NB-AJ1020
NH-Synthia*
OK-SS
OR-SuziQ*
TX-KT CAN
UT-SuziQ*
VT-Synthia*

[aj1020]

Nebraska is also done, I didn't find anything relavent. I will check Kansas next if no one objects.

[phenolred]

I have done All I can do on Indiana unless Gina M is still searching, I came up empty.

[Oneshoe01]

Hi. I emailed the WSAV3 reporter that interviewed BK on 10/15. She replied that NBC and CNN picked up his story and put it on the national feeds. Hopefully that will generate leads.

[Mark Franzeo]

I think that Steve Dewey looks shockingly like him almost twins but, I feel the weight, and the missing scar on his neck kinda make it look like less of a match. And I don’t see Steve’s cleft chin on Mr. Kyle. Also, Mr. Kyle looks a lot older than Steve. Steve looks really good for his age and was probably rather fit considering all the sports he played. I don’t think he would age that much in less than a month regardless of what he’s been through. And I don’t think you would loose that much hair in less than a month either. Not to mention how did he get from Georgia from the Canary Islands. Does Georgia have any ports near where Mr. Kyle was found that would be getting freighters from that area in? I really would love for them to be a match because that would mean he has a rather nice life to go back to, i.e. a loving family, good job etc. but I just don’t think it’s him. I really do hope I am wrong.

[Mark Franzeo]

Ok, I reread the " A Real, Live Nobody " article and 2 statements caught my eye. The first, "It's like I have a 20-year gap," . I think that is a clue. If you couple that with "When I looked in the mirror, I could not believe how gray my hair was and how old I was,"Kyle said. "There's a bunch of years missing, and I don't know what happened." It makes me think he was actually missing for a long time. I wonder how much of the first 30-40 years he actually remembers? It seems odd to me that he would say something so specific like I feel I lost 20 years. Why not say I can’t remember anything. I wonder if he knew what year it was when he was found? Now the statement that really got me thinking was He worries he might never find out - or, if he does, he might not like the person he was, he said. That I think is a major clue. I get a feeling that Mr. Kyle has a few memories about his first 30-40 years that he is not sharing. I bet he remembers something about his past he rather not and is just writing it off because he rather it not be true. The scenario I am putting together in my head goes something like this. Perhaps, he left his family or life behind voluntarily about 20 years or so ago and was either living a completely different life or maybe even as a transient until he was attacked in 2004 giving him the amnesia. That would explain why nobody is looking for him. I mean if he left on his own accord for selfish reasons leaving behind a jilted lover or wife, maybe they don't want to find him, are not even looking for him, or never even reported him missing. I just think that is a odd statement. I feel he remembers something about his past that he doesn’t like thus making him wonder if he was a bad person or a jerk before he lost his memory. I don’t think he was a criminal nor do I think he was bad as in a thief or hurting people. I think the worse he could have done is abandon his family or something thus being a "bad" person perhaps morally but not criminally. Sorry that this is so long winded but I have been thinking about this All last night and today.

[phenolred]

Amnesia is a strange thing. I have watched programs about it and I have even seen people on Oprah that have gotten it. Some people remember their very early chilhood but remembered nothing about say the last 5 years of their lives their new husbands were strangers to them etc. Then I have seen amnesiacs with memory of the recent but nothing of their early childhood. It might have something to do with what part of the brain gets damaged etc.

[SeriouslySearching]

I have given this much thought the past day or so and had almost written off even coming back to work on this case anymore. When the nurse mentioned the National Enquirer, it really did not sit well with me AT ALL! I feel this will take take away all credibility of his case being true. John Q. Public nor the media will take it seriously after they see his face in such a magazine (which sounds like is through no fault of Mr. Kyle's, but the person handling things for him). I finally decided we might be the only people actually left to try to find out his true identity. This man is not a sideshow and maybe we need to find his family before he becomes one. Perhaps the person handling things for Mr. Kyle does not have his best interests at heart.

So...where were we? Yes, take Kansas! We can still methodically rule out any missing from the ones we can find.

We need to get to the bottom of this whole thing. We need to figure out who he is or isn't now, as the case may be. I think we should establish a direct connection with the law enforcement agency involved and the officer responsible for his case. This doesn't mean everyone should jump on this. There should be one person designated to contact them. I volunteer Christine for this as she has rapport already established in GA with LE there. (she already mentioned her organization would like to help.) If anyone disagrees...please say so. Not trying to be bossy here, but I feel in order to get the best results in working with LE to gain information pertinent to finding his identity...we should make certain to do things the right way. : )

[marysawol]

I have given this much thought the past day or so and had almost written off even coming back to work on this case anymore. When the nurse mentioned the National Enquirer, it really did not sit well with me AT ALL! I feel this will take take away all credibility of his case being true. John Q. Public nor the media will take it seriously after they see his face in such a magazine (which sounds like is through no fault of Mr. Kyle's, but the person handling things for him). I finally decided we might be the only people actually left to try to find out his true identity. This man is not a sideshow and maybe we need to find his family before he becomes one. Perhaps the person handling things for Mr. Kyle does not have his best interests at heart.

So...where were we? Yes, take Kansas! We can still methodically rule out any missing from the ones we can find.

We need to get to the bottom of this whole thing. We need to figure out who he is or isn't now, as the case may be. I think we should establish a direct connection with the law enforcement agency involved and the officer responsible for his case. This doesn't mean everyone should jump on this. There should be one person designated to contact them. I volunteer Christine for this as she has rapport already established in GA with LE there. (she already mentioned her organization would like to help.) If anyone disagrees...please say so. Not trying to be bossy here, but I feel in order to get the best results in working with LE to gain information pertinent to finding his identity...we should make certain to do things the right way. : )

I concur.

[rhyno1974]

I think the National Enquirer idea is great. It is getting his face out to Millions of people. Everyone goes to the corner store, grocery store etc. Someone out there knows him.

[Gina_M]

I have done All I can do on Indiana unless Gina M is still searching, I came up empty.

I'll do some more searches in the newspaper archives, but so far I haven't found anything. Anyone else have a subscription to the newspaper archives?
If not I can focus on searching that site for anything that might be related to Benjaman.

Off topic in reference what SuziQ said about following the fire coverage - I have family in San Diego County too, and friends throughout the area. I live in the area too, luckily not too close to any of the fires, but I've been checking on the fires and keeping my family out of state up to date on things!

[Gina_M]

I think the National Enquirer idea is great. It is getting his face out to Millions of people. Everyone goes to the corner store, grocery store etc. Someone out there knows him.

It's good to get his story out there - but I think a preferred outlet would be something more like People magazine. It is taken more seriously than the NE.

[SeriouslySearching]

I think the National Enquirer idea is great. It is getting his face out to Millions of people. Everyone goes to the corner store, grocery store etc. Someone out there knows him.They could use the headline....ALIENS ABDUCTED MAN AND ERASED HIS MEMORY THROUGH SMALL HOLE IN HIS JAW. Uh huh...it sounds like a fabulous idea. (shaking head) How many people honestly take that magazine seriously?!?!?!?! If I saw a person's photo in it...I wouldn't look twice to identify them due to the nature of the magazine and it's reputation.

[aj1020]

They could use the headline....ALIENS ABDUCTED MAN AND ERASED HIS MEMORY THROUGH SMALL HOLE IN HIS JAW. Uh huh...it sounds like a fabulous idea. (shaking head) How many people honestly take that magazine seriously?!?!?!?! If I saw a person's photo in it...I wouldn't look twice to identify them due to the nature of the magazine and it's reputation.

I totally agree with you, SS. But, someone recently (maybe in the Maddy forum??) had mentioned that the NE was making strides at becoming more "mainstream" and honest. I guess I haven't paid much attention to NE while I've been in the checkout lately (or EVER :)) but I will see if I can find any articles pointing to the increased credibility of the NE. If nothing else it would put my mind at ease a little to know the NE isn't quite as trashy as it once was.

I guess I just don't really see the point of putting it in the NE if it's still a total fake tabloid - I mean who would see him that would think the story was real???

[Gina_M]

I've been thinking about that 20-year gap comment too, thinking maybe he went missing 20 years before he was found. I've been doing searches for people disappearing around 1984.

Also, I joined a site called wikimapia...kinda like a combination of Google Earth and Wikipedia. If you set the view to Hybrid you can see the aerial view plus the names of the roads - plus users can go in and label specific landmarks and add a description. I've been looking on there to get a better overview of the Richmond Hill area:
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=31.940072&lon=-81.309986&z=13&l=0&m=h&v=2

[rhyno1974]

They could use the headline....ALIENS ABDUCTED MAN AND ERASED HIS MEMORY THROUGH SMALL HOLE IN HIS JAW. Uh huh...it sounds like a fabulous idea. (shaking head) How many people honestly take that magazine seriously?!?!?!?! If I saw a person's photo in it...I wouldn't look twice to identify them due to the nature of the magazine and it's reputation.


Who cares if people take it seriously or not. Its not like a lot of people are going to see his story and start looking for him. Its just getting his photo out to someone who might recognize him.

[Gina_M]

Who cares if people take it seriously or not. Its not like a lot of people are going to see his story and start looking for him. Its just getting his photo out to someone who might recognize him.

But what if someone does not immediately recognize him by glancing at the cover, because he may have been missing for many years and/or presumed dead. Someone in his family or friends may need to read the article and study his photos more closely.

[rhyno1974]

But what if someone does not immediately recognize him by glancing at the cover, because he may have been missing for many years and/or presumed dead. Someone in his family or friends may need to read the article and study his photos more closely.

Yes that is true. But if the story isn't run at all there is no chance of anything. Of course I think it would be great for the story to be in more respected magazines, cnn, etc, but if this is all we got I will take it. 99% of the cases that we look at on here get zero coverage anywhere.

[RKnowley]

It seems to me that Mr. Kyle helped make the decision for an article to be written in the NE about himself. Mr. Kyle is an adult and by no means stupid. He is capable of making choices for himself without anyones aide. Just because he has amnesia it doesn't mean he is mentally challenged in any way and doesn't know what he is doing. He has been described as having an above average IQ. I don't think the nurse is abusing any privileges here. She isn't forcing him to do anything he doesn't want to do IMO.

[SeriouslySearching]

It seems to me that Mr. Kyle helped make the decision for an article to be written in the NE about himself. Mr. Kyle is an adult and by no means stupid. He is capable of making choices for himself without anyones aide. Just because he has amnesia it doesn't mean he is mentally challenged in any way and doesn't know what he is doing. He has been described as having an above average IQ. I don't think the nurse is abusing any priviledges here. She isn't forcing him to do anything he doesn't want to do IMO.Then maybe he doesn't realize what type of magazine NE has been for the past 20 years or so. You are right and I would never think of Mr. Kyle as being anything less than intelligent, of course.

However, Mr. Kyle has been unable or unwilling to come to this site to work on his case for whatever reason and has depended on the nurse to do so. We don't know he is receiving all of the information or if he is allowing her to take over for him in order for him not to deal with it...as it could prove to be too distressing for him. This could be the case and we don't know how little or much he is actively involved in finding out his identity besides searching various missing person sites and doing a couple of interviews thus far.

[RKnowley]

Benjaman was found in 2004. He isn't residing in a hospital anymore. He lives with friends. I'm sure he has most likely been to a grocery store during that time and most likely knows what NE is. I think it's a good chance for him to get some exposure.


Then maybe he doesn't realize what type of magazine NE has been for the past 20 years or so. You are right and I would never think of Mr. Kyle as being anything less than intelligent, of course.

[SeriouslySearching]

In that case, I would hope his intelligence tells him to seek advice of people who have dealt with such cases in the past. I find it would be a bad choice of places to put his story. Hopefully, his friends...the nurses and doctors who treated him...will help steer him away from this one. : )

[rhyno1974]

In that case, I would hope his intelligence tells him to seek advice of people who have dealt with such cases in the past. I find it would be a bad choice of places to put his story. Hopefully, his friends...the nurses and doctors who treated him...will help steer him away from this one. : )

Simply Ridiculous! I guess we will agree to disagree.

[Gina_M]

I just hope his story is picked up by more media. What about People magazine?

[Autumn2004]

I wonder if the reason why they let it be in NE was because of the money from selling the story. Since he cannot hold down a job he might need financial help and hopes that this will allow people to figure out who he is.

[SeriouslySearching]

I just hope his story is picked up by more media. What about People magazine?We should concentrate heavily on this before it hits the newsstands in a rag mag! Let's get our letter campaign back on the legitimate news media and magazines before that possibly hits the stands or we might not get another chance. ;)

[Gina_M]

http://www.people.com/people/about

Have a hot news tip, celebrity photo or celebrity video?

* Email the editors of PEOPLE magazine at editor@people.com
* Or call us at 1-212-522-6699

[SeriouslySearching]

I wonder if the reason why they let it be in NE was because of the money from selling the story. Since he cannot hold down a job he might need financial help and hopes that this will allow people to figure out who he is.Can he legally get that money since he has no SSN? It seems to me he would have to pay taxes on it as income and with no SSN...he couldn't. However, the nurse sure could if she sold it to them.

[Gina_M]

Saw this in another thread:

A new blog by The Denver Post will highlight cold cases from throughout Colorado.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/coldcases

[sweetpea657]

I've been searching right along with all of you and although this is probably nothing, I'm coming out of lurkdom to post this.

http://www.nola.com/forums/searching/index.ssf?artid=38738

The age, ties to Indiana and the three brothers fit to what Mr. Kyle believes he remembers. I don't know enough about post-traumatic stress and schizophrenia to know if this rules Mr. Kyle out though.

If Benjaman's nurse (or anyone) thinks it's a possible match and wants to respond to her post, feel free!

Back to searching and lurkdom. :)

[RKnowley]

I wonder if Larry Huff would have been fingerprinted when he went to Vietnam? If so, would those fingerprints be among those already checked by the FBI when they checked the databases for fingerprint matches for Benjaman Kyle?

ETA: Your post brings up a good question though. Did "Benjaman Kyle" serve in Nam? He would have been about the approximate age to have done so.

I've been searching right along with all of you and although this is probably nothing, I'm coming out of lurkdom to post this.

http://www.nola.com/forums/searching/index.ssf?artid=38738

The age, ties to Indiana and the three brothers fit to what Mr. Kyle believes he remembers. I don't know enough about post-traumatic stress and schizophrenia to know if this rules Mr. Kyle out though.

If Benjaman's nurse (or anyone) thinks it's a possible match and wants to respond to her post, feel free!

Back to searching and lurkdom. :)

[SeriouslySearching]

I've been searching right along with all of you and although this is probably nothing, I'm coming out of lurkdom to post this.

http://www.nola.com/forums/searching/index.ssf?artid=38738

The age, ties to Indiana and the three brothers fit to what Mr. Kyle believes he remembers. I don't know enough about post-traumatic stress and schizophrenia to know if this rules Mr. Kyle out though.

If Benjaman's nurse (or anyone) thinks it's a possible match and wants to respond to her post, feel free!

Back to searching and lurkdom. :)This is certainly worth checking out! I am glad you posted it!

Don't lurk! Come join us! Welcome to WS!

[ShowerSinger]

There is a thread on here started by Jeana, about a Kevin Mura. I don't know how to link it, but it sounds familiar. Catholic, 3 sons, can't remember... Just wanted to throw this out there.
You guys are doing great here, I do so enjoy reading this thread!

[marysawol]

There is a thread on here started by Jeana, about a Kevin Mura. I don't know how to link it, but it sounds familiar. Catholic, 3 sons, can't remember... Just wanted to throw this out there.
You guys are doing great here, I do so enjoy reading this thread!

http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17739&highlight=kevin+mura

[snarkymalarkey]

http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200300883W

i can't remember if he had tattoos? This missing person has scars on his left elbow

I thing left elbow and scar/scars would be some good key words to google

[phenolred]

I was remembering the old saying ANY publicity is GOOD publicity. That being said I can understand some peoples reservations about the NE however, I think they are not as bad as they used to be. There are far worse ones out there. The NE has alot of celebrity gossip etc. The other ones deal with the strange and wacko stories, aliens abducted my pet frog etc....LOL
I was just surprised by the nurses reaction. I thought she would have been more excited about the eerie similarties between the merge pic and the side by side we were ALL astonded by the likeness!

[phenolred]

ETA: Your post brings up a good question though. Did "Benjaman Kyle" serve in Nam? He would have been about the approximate age to have done so.
So if BK did serve in NAM they would have identified him when they took the prints.

I found this
the FBI (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=Federal+Bureau+of+Investigation) took Kyle (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=Benjaman+Kyle)'s fingerprints and forwarded them to the National Criminal Justice Information Services Division (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=Information+Services+Division) in West Virginia (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=West+Virginia). There, technicians ran the prints through their national databases, which include convicted criminals, crime scene evidence and anyone who ever served in U.S. (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=United+States) armed forces, said William Kirkconnell (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=William+Kirkconnell), supervisory senior resident agent for the FBI (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=Federal+Bureau+of+Investigation) in Savannah (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=Savannah).
"There was nothing on file," They also took photographs and checked to make sure Kyle (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=Benjaman+Kyle) was not in the federal Witness Protection Program, Kingston (http://savannahnow.com/content/related?topic=Jack+Kingston) said.

[Gina_M]

http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200300883W

i can't remember if he had tattoos? This missing person has scars on his left elbow

I thing left elbow and scar/scars would be some good key words to google

Good find - except according to the nurse's first post, BK doesn't have any tattoos. Here's the link to her post with a bunch of info in it:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53847&page=3

ETA: good idea to google for missing people with scars on their left elbow!

[Gina_M]

Just a thought...could he have previously had a tattoo, and then had it removed? Would they be able to tell that he used to have a tattoo? If so, don't want to rule anyone out just on the basis of the tattoos.

[KT Can]

Weight description is way off, but worth a look as he's been missing since 1980.


http://www.nola.com/forums/searching/index.ssf

28177. Jerry or Gerald Havron
by catc (http://www.nola.com/forums/profile.ssf?nickname=catc), 2/17/06 4:10 ET
Looking for Jerry or Gerald Havron. Last seen in 1980. Was working at the Blue bayou inn as a chef in Manitowish waters, WI. Short with a slight build about 120-160 pounds; blondish hair mustache,. Is about 50 to 56 years old now. Might reside in Georgia, Florida or North Caroline and work in the restaurant-related field.

[Gina_M]

Weight description is way off, but worth a look as he's been missing since 1980.


http://www.nola.com/forums/searching/index.ssf

28177. Jerry or Gerald Havron
by catc (http://www.nola.com/forums/profile.ssf?nickname=catc), 2/17/06 4:10 ET
Looking for Jerry or Gerald Havron. Last seen in 1980. Was working at the Blue bayou inn as a chef in Manitowish waters, WI. Short with a slight build about 120-160 pounds; blondish hair mustache,. Is about 50 to 56 years old now. Might reside in Georgia, Florida or North Caroline and work in the restaurant-related field.

That sounds close except that he's short with a slight build. BK is 5'11" and described as large-framed. That "restaurant-related field" really got me though!

[christine2448]

I've been searching right along with all of you and although this is probably nothing, I'm coming out of lurkdom to post this.

http://www.nola.com/forums/searching/index.ssf?artid=38738

The age, ties to Indiana and the three brothers fit to what Mr. Kyle believes he remembers. I don't know enough about post-traumatic stress and schizophrenia to know if this rules Mr. Kyle out though.

If Benjaman's nurse (or anyone) thinks it's a possible match and wants to respond to her post, feel free!

Back to searching and lurkdom. :)

Very interesting find, IMO. Amazing what is out there to be found if you really know how to get around on the net.

[Sable]

Could he be a possibility?
Eugene Fish

http://www.charleyproject.org/images/f/fish_eugene.jpg
Above: Eugene, circa 1990 http://www.charleyproject.org/banners/bar.jpg Vital Statistics at Time of DisappearanceMissing Since: June 21, 2004 from Fremont County, Colorado
Classification: Endangered Missing
Age: 53 years old
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Brown hair. Eugene's nickname is Gene.

http://www.charleyproject.org/banners/bar.jpg
Details of DisappearanceEugene was last seen at his home in rural Fremont County, Colorado on June 21, 2004. Lynn Fish, his wife, stated he left their home angrily after and argument. She called Eugene's father a week later and told him Eugene had left; she stated she believed he left of his own volition. Lynn said Eugene had wanted to be free of responsibilities and he had smashed his computer and cut up his credit cards before leaving without the house. He left his cellular phone behind. She believed he was planning to go to Mexico or South America.
Eugene is a retired federal agent and has a pension of over $4,000 a month. He has not attempted to access it since his disappearance and Lynn is now collecting it in his stead. He has also not used his credit cards, passport and bank accounts since his disappearance. His parents have hired a private investigator to help locate him; the investigator believe Eugene met with foul play. He was born and raised New York, attended Siena College, and moved to Colorado in 2003 after his retirement. Most of his family lives in New York and he is the sole heir to his parents' estate, worth an estimated $500,000. Eugene was close to his family prior to his disappearance and called his parents every weekend.
Lynn has allegedly given inconsistent statements about Eugene's disappearance and has been uncooperative with the police investigation. She did not report him missing; one of his friends did so on September 1. Lynn stated that when Eugene left, he was driving his red 2000 Ford pickup truck. Eugene allegedly said he would send the truck back to her later. Lynn stated the truck reappeared in the Fish family's driveway days later, three miles inside the locked gate to the property.
Prior to his disappearance, Eugene had made statements to the effect that he was disillusioned by his retirement and his marriage. He and Lynn married in 1997 after cohabiting for four years. In January 2004, the police were called to their home to investigate a domestic dispute, but both Lynn and Eugene stated no violence had occurred, so no arrests were made. After his disappearance, however, Lynn told Eugene's father that her husband had been beating and shoving her. Eugene's father died in 2007, at the age of ninety. In his will he left provisions for the foundation of a trust fund. The money from the fund will be used to search for Eugene. Eugene has previously lived in Utah and Texas. Although his family believes he met with foul play, police are investigating his case as a missing person rather than a crime.

[Indiana at Heart]

Did we rule out Steve Dewey? DNA ran to make sure?

[Sable]

Lots more info about Eugene Fish:
http://www.crimeandjustice.us/forums/lofiversion/index.php?t6193.html

[Synthia1021]

I had sent Eugene Fish's profile to the nurse earlier.. I didn't get a response back about if it could be him.

[MaxMoMom]

Did someone "say" earlier on that they sent the Steve Dewey possilbility to the FBI?

Also since Eugene Fish is a former federal agent then I would think that his finger prints are on file somewhere...

[MaconChange]

Did someone "say" earlier on that they sent the Steve Dewey possilbility to the FBI?

Also since Eugene Fish is a former federal agent then I would think that his finger prints are on file somewhere...


Yes, I called the FBI...

[MaxMoMom]

Glad to hear that! I checked out the website for NE and it seems to be all about the celebrities. It doesn't really seem like a story they would pick up.

Yes, I called the FBI...

[SeriouslySearching]

Yes, if BK were Fish...the FBI would have his prints, photos, and everything about this man on file and would be able to have found him easily while running BK's prints.

Does Eugene Fish have a thread here? It sounds like his wife was instrumental in getting rid of him. It sounds like she also had motive and the means. His truck showing up after 3 days is a huge red flag.

[SeriouslySearching]

Just a thought...could he have previously had a tattoo, and then had it removed? Would they be able to tell that he used to have a tattoo? If so, don't want to rule anyone out just on the basis of the tattoos.There would be definite scars from tattoo removal. I think we can safely rule anyone with tats out.

[SeriouslySearching]

Did we rule out Steve Dewey? DNA ran to make sure?No. :(

[Indiana at Heart]

I feel until DNA is done this might be Steve! The pictures keep telling me there is a big chance it is him! We can't say cause the nurse feels it's not him. I have a strong feeling it maybe him

No. :(

[Chloekins]

I feel until DNA is done this might be Steve! The pictures keep telling me there is a big chance it is him! We can't say cause the nurse feels it's not him. I have a strong feeling it maybe him

I think that DNA testing would be a waste of time and money. I think he could easily be identified by family members or distinguishing characteristics. Keep in mind that testing runs between 300 to 500 for a credible lab. Just my 2 cents for what its worth. :)

[SeriouslySearching]

Yes, if they knew about BK perhaps they could. However, since BK is choosing not to entertain this as an option...it is doubtful this will happen.

DNA testing, imo, is not a waste of time or money when other factors do match so closely. Besides...does the FBI put a dollar value on testing now? We are the taxpayers footing the bill for ALL of the the FBI lab work going through Quantico, VA, as far as I know.

[Gina_M]

This guy was reportedly in the military at one point, so he would have been ruled out by fingerprints, but I'd still like to see a picture of the guy.

Kenneth Raynor Childress
born Sept. 1945 in North Carolina
missing since 1979-1980
brown hair
5'10" to 6 feet tall
http://icaremissingpersonscoldcases.yuku.com/topic/564/t/Missing-brother-Kenneth-Raynor-Childress.html

[Indiana at Heart]

The family as far as I know knows nothing of this BK. He feels its not him but if he can't remember anything so how can he know. I don't feel it's a waste of money! If it is Steve Dewey, money is not the answer but the love of his family is a lot more then money for DNA!

They overlay of picture gives me so much hope on this one!


I think that DNA testing would be a waste of time and money. I think he could easily be identified by family members or distinguishing characteristics. Keep in mind that testing runs between 300 to 500 for a credible lab. Just my 2 cents for what its worth. :)

[Chloekins]

Yes, if they knew about BK perhaps they could. However, since BK is choosing not to entertain this as an option...it is doubtful this will happen.

DNA testing, imo, is not a waste of time or money when other factors do match so closely. Besides...does the FBI put a dollar value on testing now? We are the taxpayers footing the bill for ALL of the the FBI lab work going through Quantico, VA, as far as I know.

I understand why my comment would be upsetting but the fact of the matter is that LE would not place money into this when Ben has very distinguishing characteristics. Yes his features match closely, however, the missing gentleman does not have the same scars as Ben. I think we need to eliminate all the logical options before jumping onto the pirates/lost at sea scenario.

Proper credible DNA testing is costly, time consuming and not something that is done on a whim. I dont mean to sound harsh this is not my intention but if you dont think the FBI factors in cost during an investigation you are very mistaken. :(

[DawnTCB]

Did I miss something? What scars does BK have that we know Steve Dewey did not have?

(going back to make sure I read every post...)

[Gina_M]

As far as I know, we don't know anything about Steve Dewey's scars or lack thereof.

[Gina_M]

Judd Miller
missing May 1, 1975 from Tenants Harbor, Maine
age 21 at time of disappearance
(this means he was born around 1954)

presumed lost at sea

Miller's family, however, believes he may have survived. They think he may have suffered a head injury, developed amnesia, and forgotten his identity. There have been reported sightings of Miller since his disappearance, which would support the amnesia theory, but none of the sightings have been confirmed.

http://charleyproject.org/cases/m/miller_judd.html

[phenolred]

Did I miss something? What scars does BK have that we know Steve Dewey did not have?

(going back to make sure I read every post...)


I do not believe anybody has confirmed that Dewey did or did not have any scars. But we know that BK has some surgical scars. I think on neck and elbows, and the large pock mark on his jaw he thinks from a tooth abcess or something to that effect

[Chloekins]

I do not believe anybody has confirmed that Dewey did or did not have any scars. But we know that BK has some surgical scars. I think on neck and elbows, and the large pock mark on his jaw he thinks from a tooth abcess or something to that effect


I assumed that if Dewey had such prominent scarring it would have been mentioned with his missing persons information. Especially scarring about the face and neck which would be easily noticeable upon casual interaction. Of course you know what happens when you assume! lol!

[kaylenbabysims]

but it is for sure he had those scars before he was beat up??

[fox1950]

I think it is amazing how much time and effort you guys have put into this case. Although, I see that SD and Bk look almost the same I have never from the start thought they were the same person. BK looks so much older than SD, and there are certain facial features such as his chin, the look in this eyes, the nose, that make me feel that it is not him although certainly this is just an opinion and they could very well be the same person.

Has BK'S dnA been taken to match up with any missing persons that they already have DNA on? This seems to be the first step in finding out who he is. Forgive me if this has already been addressed.

Keep up the hard work---I know that one day you will be successful in finding out the answers.

[Chloekins]

but it is for sure he had those scars before he was beat up??

The scar on his neck/jaw line is consistent with drainage of a large abscess which would not have occurred during his initial injuries but as a result of dental infection. The scaring on his elbow is from reconstructive surgery which placed pins in his elbow.

The only injuries that were mentioned specifically in the original report are that he had head injuries from blunt force trauma to the skull, severe cataracts from extended UV exposure, sun burn, dehydration and multiple fire ant bites.

[phenolred]

This is from the Doe Network it will help clear up some information about his scars... This is Benjaman Kyles info
for more info see his Doe Network page http://www.doenetwork.org/ its case number 1007umga
Vital Statistics

Estimated age: 50-60's
Approximate Height and Weight: 5'11"; 240 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Graying hair with receding hairline. Blue-green eyes. Above-average intelligence. Well-spoken. Professional demeanor.
Marks, Scars: Two parallel surgical scars on left elbow (from reparative surgery for broken elbow that may involve pins/plates implantation). Surgical scar on front of neck appears to be from cervical discotomy. Small round scar on left side of face near chin appears to be a puncture-type wound but believes it may be related to former tooth abscess. No tattoos. No body piercings.
Medical: Blinding cataracts in both eyes may have resulted from prolonged exposure to sun while unconscious prior to being found and brought to hospital.
Fingerprints: On file with the FBI in Savannah, Georgia.
Dentals: Three teeth missing from upper front and one tooth missing from upper right side of mouth. Not known whether dental problems occurred after or as result of mugging in August of 2004.

[snarkymalarkey]

Does anybody know how long does it take go blind from exposure to the sun?

[Al_B]

Sun and eye damage


Sunlight is very bright, and looking directly at the Sun is painful to the eyes. Looking directly at the Sun when it is high in the sky causes temporary bleaching of the photosensitive pigments in the retina, which makes phosphene visual artifacts and may cause temporary partial blindness. Direct viewing of the Sun with the naked eye delivers about 4 milliwatts of sunlight to the retina that is in the solar image, heating it up and potentially (though not normally) damaging it. Brief viewing of the full direct Sun with the naked eye is unpleasant but generally safe.

Viewing the Sun through light-concentrating optics such as binoculars is hazardous without an attenuating (ND) filter to dim the sunlight. Suitable filters are available at welding (http://www.solarnavigator.net/welding.htm) supply shops and camera stores. Using a proper filter is very important as some improvised filters reduce visible light while passing either infrared or ultraviolet rays that can still damage the eye. Viewing the Sun through unfiltered 7x50 mm binoculars can deliver as much as 2.5 watts of sunlight into each eye, over 300 times more power than naked eye viewing. Even brief glances at the midday Sun through unfiltered binoculars can cause permanent blindness.
http://www.solarnavigator.net/the_sun.htm
this is all I can find

[SeriouslySearching]

As far as I know, we don't know anything about Steve Dewey's scars or lack thereof.This is true. We don't know since they did not mention with certainty any physical characteristics such as birth marks or scars.

I have never been able to visually see the possible surgical scar on BK's neck in the photos...so I have no idea how large or small it is either.

Another thing we have to consider is that the family of BK may not be aware of those scars or injuries he has sustained. We don't know if this is his first bout of amnesia or how long he could have been estranged from his family before now.

I am trying to understand how the physicians at the hospital who nursed BK back to health don't know the exact procedure done to his elbow if there are pins and plates. A simple x-ray would be able to detect if it was due to a break, a shatter, or something else. (pins and plates should have numbers which are traceable, too) Also, they should be able to tell if he definitely had surgery to his spine via the neck area.

I have never heard of a drainage tube being used on the outside of the face for an abcessed tooth. This doesn't make sense to me. (Maybe someone can enlighten me.) I found a case where a woman was in critical condition due to an abcess and altho they did use a needle to aspirate, a drainage tube was only used in the neck area and not on the face or jaw. (This could explain his neck scar.) http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-67/issue-6/324.html

[Chloekins]

Does anybody know how long does it take go blind from exposure to the sun?

Ok I called a friend of mine who routinely does lens replacement surgery. I asked him how long it would take for someone to develop cataracts from UVB exposure. I know from personal knowledge that it is a cumulative outcome after many years, but since I am not an ophthalmologist I decided I needed backup. He confirmed that cataracts due to sun exposure usually take many years to develop. Interestingly he noted that obese people and alcoholics are more prone to developing cataracts.

I mentioned previously that Ben may have spent time in very sunny areas, or was perhaps a fisherman or pilot. There are a great deal of professions that would cause one to be exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. He may have had clouding of the eye before his prolonged exposure post beating that may have exacerbated an existing condition.

With that in mind it is very rare for a person to be in a comatose state with open eyes. Most comatose patient's eyes roll back into the skull because of relaxation of the muscles holding the eye. Im not saying that there are no cases of open eyes Im just pointing out the most people do not.

I wish I could take a look at his blood work and liver panel that was drawn up at admittance. I think it would be very telling about his lifestyle previous to being attacked.

[SeriouslySearching]

Did you happen to ask what damage could occur if a person was floating in the ocean with the hot, August sun beating down on them for an extended period of time without any way to shield the eyes?

[Chloekins]

This is true. We don't know since they did not mention with certainty any physical characteristics such as birth marks or scars.

I have never been able to visually see the possible surgical scar on BK's neck in the photos...so I have no idea how large or small it is either.

Another thing we have to consider is that the family of BK may not be aware of those scars or injuries he has sustained. We don't know if this is his first bout of amnesia or how long he could have been estranged from his family before now.

I am trying to understand how the physicians at the hospital who nursed BK back to health don't know the exact procedure done to his elbow if there are pins and plates. A simple x-ray would be able to detect if it was due to a break, a shatter, or something else. (pins and plates should have numbers which are traceable, too) Also, they should be able to tell if he definitely had surgery to his spine via the neck area.

I have never heard of a drainage tube being used on the outside of the face for an abcessed tooth. This doesn't make sense to me. (Maybe someone can enlighten me.) I found a case where a woman was in critical condition due to an abcess and altho they did use a needle to aspirate, a drainage tube was only used in the neck area and not on the face or jaw. (This could explain his neck scar.) http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-67/issue-6/324.html


Sorry to double post but perhaps this will help a little. Abscesses are normally very difficult to heal. Depending on whether the abscess was superficial or deep would decide whether aspiration would be sufficient or if indeed surgical intervention would be needed. In the event of deep tissue deterioration, one would need to cut open the tissue in order to access the infected area. After the wound is cleaned and removed of all cellular and tissue debris the wound would be packed with sterile gauze. The gauze would need to be changed frequently and the area cleaned to ensure that healing occurred without the reoccurrence of pus formation. In deep tissue abscesses scar tissue is almost a guarantee especially in the face/neck area.

I am not familiar with dental abscesses and how they are treated but Im sure this doesn’t stray too far from the steps in which they treat. I didn’t want to go into too much detail and gross everyone else out. lol

[Chloekins]

Did you happen to ask what damage could occur if a person was floating in the ocean with the hot, August sun beating down on them for an extended period of time without any way to shield the eyes?

haha no I didnt go into that much detail. I will call him later after my rotations and ask that specifically.

[SeriouslySearching]

Thanks, there probably isn't an answer for it...but doesn't hurt to ask. : )

On the other thread, I had many questions I would like answers to about BK. Maybe I should bring them over here and we could try to get those answers from somewhere.

[SeriouslySearching]

Sorry to double post but perhaps this will help a little. Abscesses are normally very difficult to heal. Depending on whether the abscess was superficial or deep would decide whether aspiration would be sufficient or if indeed surgical intervention would be needed. In the event of deep tissue deterioration, one would need to cut open the tissue in order to access the infected area. After the wound is cleaned and removed of all cellular and tissue debris the wound would be packed with sterile gauze. The gauze would need to be changed frequently and the area cleaned to ensure that healing occurred without the reoccurrence of pus formation. In deep tissue abscesses scar tissue is almost a guarantee especially in the face/neck area.

I am not familiar with dental abscesses and how they are treated but Im sure this doesn’t stray too far from the steps in which they treat. I didn’t want to go into too much detail and gross everyone else out. lolSo if it were due to an abcess...he would have a straight scar due to an actual incision then possibly the rounded scarring seen with drainage tubes. Right?

(Sorry for the detailed questions...just trying to pinpoint exactly what could have occurred to cause his unusual facial atrophy or scar. Past medical or dental history with unusual characteristics could help identify him.)

[phenolred]

Ok this got me to thinking about something my husband had on his back, and he had it removed. It was a cyst under the skin, the size of a golfball. He took forever to go to the Dr because he was scared what they might say. It started bothering him. They said it might have started from an ingrown hair, and just grew into this LARGE CYST. My hubby scar look alittle like the indention on BK's jaw. They removed the cyst it was like a capsule, and it left quite a hole, they packed it with gauze.

But what I am getting at is maybe it was a cyst or boil I have been looking alittle on google and it seems these to happen on the face as well.

My husbands was surgically cut and removed but it looks like an indention with a cut line near it.


here is a little bit of something I found.



If a cyst appears to be growing, if it hurts or itches or if it's swollen and oozing profusely, it may be showing signs of serious infection," says Jack L. Lesher, Jr., M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. "You'll need to see a dermatologist to have the cyst surgically removed or treated with antibiotics."
There's also a chance of severe infection after a cyst bursts or ruptures, so be sure to see the doctor if this occurs.

[SeriouslySearching]

That would be a possibility. Still...we can't tell if there is a straight incision which coincides with the scar we can readily see. I thought it might be something we could narrow down. Perhaps not.

[Chloekins]

I wasnt able to talk to my friend for very long but I was able to get a basic answer from him. He wasnt too keen on the situation I presented due to how many variables that would be involved in such a case however, he did have this to say. If an individual was exposed to the sun for long periods of time with open eyes such as the situation in which you hypothesized the overall damage would be solar retinopathy. The retina itself would be completely damaged and blindness would be complete. This would be irreversible. Since this did not occur with Mr. Kyle he was more inclined to believe that this was not the case. He said to make any true diagnosis he would have to review the patients chart and subsequent surgical write up. I did get him to admit that he wouldnt expect such minimal damage as cataract formation from that sort of scenario. I hope this helps.

As for the cysts or possible abscess. A draining tube is usually only used in abscesses where there is great deal of blood, pus formation, and necrotic debris. I have seen abscesses of the neck that were so bad that continual draining were needed. This is getting into major surgery and the patient is usually in the hospital for a period of time. With cyst or small abscesses the before mentioned procedure is usually sufficient. Of course every case is different and i am merely hypothesizing with the information available.

The scar that would be left is just as you would imagine. Scarification would be more intense the more invasive the procedure. So a simple draining and packing would leave less of a scar then insertion of a perpetual drainage tube.

Please bring all of your questions I dont mind in the least answering anything medical.

[SeriouslySearching]

Thanks, Cloekins! It does help answer some of my questions.

I am just trying to figure out if there is anything in his medical history or dental history that could set him apart from others.

[Chloekins]

Im going to get my hubby to enhance the picture that clearly shows the scar to see if I can get a closer look.

update: I have taken a closer look at the scar and I think it was either a cyst or a tumor that was removed possibly relating to the salivary glands. The scarring appears to be the same that one would see with a penrose drain. Im no oral surgeon but I am having a hard time believing that this scar was merely the result of treatment for dental abscess. Thanks to PhenolRed for making me think about all the possible mandible associated tumors and cysts on the way home. ; )

[SeriouslySearching]

That would make more sense to me, too. I hadn't thought of a cyst or a tumor either...but I knew it wasn't gelling for me for it to be an abscessed tooth.

[Chloekins]

That would make more sense to me, too. I hadn't thought of a cyst or a tumor either...but I knew it wasn't gelling for me for it to be an abcessed tooth.

you know what is really bugging me? The fact that he seems to remember certain things but not others. For instance he thinks he remembers an abscessed tooth, possible reconstruction on his elbow, the name Benjamin, 3 brothers (or was it sons?), the state of Colorado, etc. Something is just not jiving for me and I cant put a finger on it. Bah.

[marysawol]

you know what is really bugging me? The fact that he seems to remember certain things but not others. For instance he thinks he remembers an abscessed tooth, possible reconstruction on his elbow, the name Benjamin, 3 brothers (or was it sons?), the state of Colorado, etc. Something is just not jiving for me and I cant put a finger on it. Bah.

I agree with you. It's almost as if he's saying something without saying it,,does that make sense?

[Chloekins]

I agree with you. It's almost as if he's saying something without saying it,,does that make sense?

Exactly! Its interesting because I had to ask my hubby to enlarge and enhance the photo of his scar for me and as a result I had to tell him Mr. Kyle's story. The first words out of his mouth were "Maybe he is hiding something".

Which if he is why would he be willing to have his story go to the media? Unless he knew that there was no way anyone would ever recognize. Hmmm. Its all so very strange and I do hate to think this way but its the natural skeptic in me.

[RKnowley]

Why would he go to the press to try and find out who he was if he knew there would be no chance of being recognized? What would his purpose for doing that be?

Exactly! Its interesting because I had to ask my hubby to enlarge and enhance the photo of his scar for me and as a result I had to tell him Mr. Kyle's story. The first words out of his mouth were "Maybe he is hiding something".

Which if he is why would he be willing to have his story go to the media? Unless he knew that there was no way anyone would ever recognize. Hmmm. Its all so very strange and I do hate to think this way but its the natural skeptic in me.

[Chloekins]

Why would he go to the press to try and find out who he was if he knew there would be no chance of being recognized? What would his purpose for doing that be?

Good question. I honestly dont have an answer that really works for me. The only thing that comes to my mind is perhaps his refusal to agree would seem just too suspicious. The only reason I brought this up is that I think all avenues of thought should be explored, even the ones we dont want to acknowledge.

There are hospital records for this gentleman somewhere. A surgeon/s worked on this man three times( elbow, mandible area and a cervical disectomy). He has medical records and a history somewhere. I cant believe this day in age that someone can just appear out of seemingly thin air.

edited: altered number of surgeries to three

[RKnowley]

You are right. There are medical records somewhere. But, when did BK have the surgeries? Where? They could have happened anywhere. How many doctors are there per state that could have performed those surgeries? How many of those doctors have seen the recent articles on BK? How many of those doctors may not be practicing anymore? If BK had the surgeries long ago what are the chances the doc who did the surgery would remember him by a photo of what BK looks like today? BK says it's like he lost the past 20 years of his life so if he recalls the surgeries somewhat does that mean the surgeries were performed over 20 years ago?

Good question. I honestly dont have an answer that really works for me. The only thing that comes to my mind is perhaps his refusal to agree would seem just too suspicious. The only reason I brought this up is that I think all avenues of thought should be explored, even the ones we dont want to acknowledge.

There are hospital records for this gentleman somewhere. A surgeon/s worked on this man three times( elbow, mandible area and a cervical disectomy). He has medical records and a history somewhere. I cant believe this day in age that someone can just appear out of seemingly thin air.

edited: altered number of surgeries to three

[Chloekins]

You are right. There are medical records somewhere. But, when did BK have the surgeries? Where? They could have happened anywhere. How many doctors are there per state that could have performed those surgeries? How many of those doctors have seen the recent articles on BK? How many of those doctors may not be practicing anymore? If BK had the surgeries long ago what are the chances the doc who did the surgery would remember him by a photo of what BK looks like today? BK says it's like he lost the past 20 years of his life so if he recalls the surgeries somewhat does that mean the surgeries were performed over 20 years ago?

Those are all very good questions. It seems this would be the best of our avenues to explore but when they are all laid out like that they seem down right daunting in their immensity. I know for certain that cervical discectomy alone has been around since the 40s and who knows what was done concerning the reconstruction of his elbow.

He has missing teeth, however they do not know whether this was a previous incidence or in relation to the beating he received. I think it would be safe to assume that at least dental work could easily be done 20+ years ago.

I know someone mentioned this earlier but what an odd way for a 40/50 year old man to phrase the state of his memories. Does this mean that there are things that he remembers between the ages of birth-20/30 yrs and then after that it is a blank? If so what are those memories? Is he maybe holding back details in order to verify those who come forward with identities?

[RKnowley]

I find it odd that they wouldn't know if his tooth loss was as a result of his being beat or if it was because of a prior incidence? If it happened prior to his being beat wouldn't his gums have been healed somewhat as opposed to if it happened because of the beating the sockets wouldn't be healed?

ETA: Weren't the only injuries that were noted by paramedics the 3 indentations to BK's skull that could have come from being hit with a blunt object, sunburn, cataracts that could have come from long term exposure to the sun & many, many fire ant bites? How would those injuries account for the missing teeth?

He has missing teeth, however they do not know whether this was a previous incidence or in relation to the beating he received. I think it would be safe to assume that at least dental work could easily be done 20+ years ago.

[SeriouslySearching]

The fact he could not provide them with any medical history means they should have run every test imaginable to try to determine a reason for his amnesia and to clear him medically for internal injuries from a severe beating. Previous back/spinal plus elbow surgeries should have been found during the course of testing...shouldn't they? If so, why are they only guessing now?

There are many things we are not getting answers for here and I asked a lot of questions his nurse should have been able to answer easily...such as inquiries about his overall hygiene, dental hygiene, beard growth, etc. when found.

What did the toxicology reports show? Was he an alcoholic or drug user?

[Al_B]

I some how don't think they would have tested for anything and everything He is a uninsured they'd only do enough to keep him alive and it's all that's required I think

[SeriouslySearching]

This is what the nurse previously said: He has a scar across the front of the neck that is most likely from cervical disk surgery. He has two parallel scars on his left elbow and believes it pertains to reparative surgery on the elbow that most likely entails surgical implantation of pins and/or plates. He believes the elbow surgery dates back to his 20's and is not very clear about the cervical surgery timeframe.

[SeriouslySearching]

I some how don't think they would have tested for anything and everything He is a uninsured they'd only do enough to keep him alive and it's all that's required I thinkI would think it would be required of them to do adequate testing in response to his medical condition of Amnesia. Would they have treated his burns, his bruises, and given him an IV for dehydration then simply stopped because he could be indigent and uninsured?

If this was the case, I would recommend he seek legal counsel because they could have missed something which has caused this seemingly permanent state of Amnesia and could have been possible to treat initially.

[benjamankyle]

Bingo!!!

I some how don't think they would have tested for anything and everything He is a uninsured they'd only do enough to keep him alive and it's all that's required I think

[Chloekins]

I would think it would be required of them to do adequate testing in response to his medical condition of Amnesia. Would they have treated his burns, his bruises, and given him an IV for dehydration then simply stopped because he could be indigent and uninsured?

If this was the case, I would recommend he seek legal counsel because they could have missed something which has caused this seemingly permanent state of Amnesia and could have been possible to treat initially.

We need to keep in mind that a lot of information concerning the sharing of the details of his injuries and subsequent treatment are limited under HIPPA.

When he was brought to the emergency room he would have had a full blood panel and liver functions test in addition to full body x-rays, MRIs etc. This is how they came up with the cervical surgery. This has nothing to do with insurance or ability to pay. This has to due with good medicine. No attending physician would treat a comatose patient without detailed information. A) it would be unethical and B) thats just asking for a lawsuit. I know that the real reason that we are not getting this information is either Mr. Kyle never bothered to ask what his emergency medical care consisted of or the nurses and physicians who attended him are unable to share details because of the bonds of HIPPA.

I am beginning to wonder if the cervical surgery which more than likely resulted in fusion of the damaged disks and the reconstructive surgery were not the overall effect of a severely traumatic event such as a car accident. This would make sense. This leads me to further postulate that perhaps trouble with memory is not a new situation for Mr. Kyle. I wonder if this has plagued him for the past 20 yrs (since his accident) and thus is why the past two decades seem to be gone.

[phenolred]

It seems he HAS sought legal help and help from the congressman...

The Hopitial that treated him wants $800.00 for his medical records BUT he cant WORK because he has NO ss #.....

Here is the info from the original article


Georgia Legal Services was trying to help him obtain a Social Security number, but they hit a wall when Memorial Health wanted $800 to obtain copies of his medical records, said U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga.
Kyle said things started to turn around a bit last month after a friend wrote to Kingston for help.
"We're just thinking there is some family out there who may have written him off like he's dead," Kingston said. "We get lots of oddball cases that come through our office, but we've never had one like this."
But even though a police report was issued, it's still not enough for the Social Security Administration.
"You can't get a replacement Social Security number by walking in there and saying you have amnesia. He does not know his name, his Social Security number or where he was born. He has no picture ID," said Trish DePriest, Kingston's district case manager. "That's why we are at square one."

The congressman's office is trying to get the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta to provide psychiatric help for the man, including hypnosis.
"It's a very interesting mystery, but it's also very sad when you consider there has to be some family out there somewhere," Kingston said.
Kyle said he tries not to think about a family or what he might be missing out on.
He worries he might never find out - or, if he does, he might not like the person he was, he said.
Kyle considers himself a walking missing person's poster: The more people see him, the more chances he has that someone might know him.
"I have nothing from my old life," he said. "I just hope someone recognizes me."

[Chloekins]

It seems he HAS sought legal help and help from the congressman...

The Hopitial that treated him wants $800.00 for his medical records BUT he cant WORK because he has NO ss #.....

Here is the info from the original article


Georgia Legal Services was trying to help him obtain a Social Security number, but they hit a wall when Memorial Health wanted $800 to obtain copies of his medical records, said U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga.
Kyle said things started to turn around a bit last month after a friend wrote to Kingston for help.
"We're just thinking there is some family out there who may have written him off like he's dead," Kingston said. "We get lots of oddball cases that come through our office, but we've never had one like this."
But even though a police report was issued, it's still not enough for the Social Security Administration.
"You can't get a replacement Social Security number by walking in there and saying you have amnesia. He does not know his name, his Social Security number or where he was born. He has no picture ID," said Trish DePriest, Kingston's district case manager. "That's why we are at square one."

The congressman's office is trying to get the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta to provide psychiatric help for the man, including hypnosis.
"It's a very interesting mystery, but it's also very sad when you consider there has to be some family out there somewhere," Kingston said.
Kyle said he tries not to think about a family or what he might be missing out on.
He worries he might never find out - or, if he does, he might not like the person he was, he said.
Kyle considers himself a walking missing person's poster: The more people see him, the more chances he has that someone might know him.
"I have nothing from my old life," he said. "I just hope someone recognizes me."

There simply has to be more to this story. Under HIPAA regulations a patient has the right to access and obtian a copy of their medical records. This is a federal law. The fact that the hospital is holding the records in request for a fee leads me to believe that there are many details we are not privy too.

[phenolred]

I looked this up for Georgia, You have to pay a fee and cost for copying the pages. So, maybe he has soooo many pages the fee is $800.00


http://medicalboard.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,26729866_27509335_27165592,00.html

You are entitled to a copy of your medical records under most circumstances after providing the physician with a signed release and paying the required fees as set by state law. If you still cannot obtain your records, you may file a complaint with the Medical Board. HIPAA regulations may also apply. Below is a sample note of what you should say in writing to request the record(s):

How do I obtain a copy of my hospital medical record? Instead of addressing your letter (please refer to previous question) to an individual physician, you should call the hospital and find out who is in charge of the Medical Records Department for the hospital. By calling ahead of time, you will be able to inquire about the cost of providing this service. You may have to put your request in writing and then receive correspondence seeking payment for the copying charges in advance.

[phenolred]

found this one too

http://www.shepherd.org/about/records.asp
Fees
Under Georgia law, you may be charged a fee for administrative and copying services. These fees can change from year to year. For a current fee schedule regarding release of information, please contact the Health Information Department at 404-350-7325. Fees are waived for copies provided directly to a health care provider for continuing medical care.

[phenolred]

Awhile back I had wondered if this could have been a sexual assualt which might explain the lack of clothing. I was looking up amnesia and just happened to find this about the Date Rape drug called GHB seems it can cause coma,s and amnesia. I wonder if BK could have been on a business trip and had meet people in the area into bondage or S&M and it was a consentula thing and maybe they slipped him GHB and they panicked because they thought he was dead and just dumped him.

GHB (Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate)
GHB was banned in the United States in 1990 and approved only for medical use in July 2002 for the treatment of narcolepsy. Prior to the ban, it was marketed and sold at health food stores as both a sleep-aid and a body building supplement.

The effects of GHB:
GHB is a central nervous system depressant. Effects occur within 10-15 minutes after ingestion and last 2-3 hours unless combined with alcohol, where effects can last 20-30 hours. Large doses of GHB can produce sleep within five minutes. Once in your system the drug can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dehydration, seizures, respiratory depression, hallucinations, giddiness, disinhibition and unconsciousness. When mixed with alcohol, GHB can cause coma and/or death.

GHB can cause partial or complete amnesia, meaning you may not be able to remember anything you did or anything that was done to you while under the influence of the drug.

[phenolred]

Interesting article on amnesia, seems GHB would not cause long lasting amensia...I also wonder if they have given him this drug that helps amnesia???

http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/Amnesia.html

How is amnesia diagnosed?
A mental health professional will want to take a careful personal history.
Causes of amnesia can include:
External trauma, such as a blow to the head
Internal trauma, such as stroke
Exposure to a toxic substances such as carbon monoxide
Inadequate diet
Brain tumors
Seizures

How is amnesia treated?
Psychotherapy can be helpful for people whose amnesia is caused by emotional trauma. For instance, hypnosis may help some patients/clients recall forgotten memories.
Sometimes it is appropriate to administer a drug called Amytal (sodium amobarbital) to people suffering from amnesia. The medicine helps some people recall their lost memories

[Chloekins]

Interesting article on amnesia, seems GHB would not cause long lasting amensia...I also wonder if they have given him this drug that helps amnesia???

http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/Amnesia.html

How is amnesia diagnosed?
A mental health professional will want to take a careful personal history.
Causes of amnesia can include:
External trauma, such as a blow to the head
Internal trauma, such as stroke
Exposure to a toxic substances such as carbon monoxide
Inadequate diet
Brain tumors
Seizures

How is amnesia treated?
Psychotherapy can be helpful for people whose amnesia is caused by emotional trauma. For instance, hypnosis may help some patients/clients recall forgotten memories.
Sometimes it is appropriate to administer a drug called Amytal (sodium amobarbital) to people suffering from amnesia. The medicine helps some people recall their lost memories
I think you may be spot on in the amount of administration/copying fees being the reason for the $800. The files could have been stored off site in addition to other fees a hospital can dream up and believe me they can and do!

As far as Amytal that drug is primarily given to people with insomnia. Im sure that it is often used off-label but as far as I know clinically it is only approved to be used in cases where someone has anxiety and/or chronic insomnia.

I just looked it up on the PDR and it does mention a use in unresponsive epilepsy cases. I do not think this would be helpful in memory resolution as barbiturates tend to cause memory loss.

If I get a bit of free time today I will access my hospitals journal records and see if I can dig up any information about amensia. My expertise is not mental health and so therefore I know nothing about this topic. Ill jot down any pertinant information that I find in case anyone else in my shoes.

[christine2448]

*note to self* left off ;)

[RKnowley]

What about rivastigmine for treating his amnesia?

I think you may be spot on in the amount of administration/copying fees being the reason for the $800. The files could have been stored off site in addition to other fees a hospital can dream up and believe me they can and do!

As far as Amytal that drug is primarily given to people with insomnia. Im sure that it is often used off-label but as far as I know clinically it is only approved to be used in cases where someone has anxiety and/or chronic insomnia.

I just looked it up on the PDR and it does mention a use in unresponsive epilepsy cases. I do not think this would be helpful in memory resolution as barbiturates tend to cause memory loss.

If I get a bit of free time today I will access my hospitals journal records and see if I can dig up any information about amensia. My expertise is not mental health and so therefore I know nothing about this topic. Ill jot down any pertinant information that I find in case anyone else in my shoes.

[Chloekins]

What about rivastigmine for treating his amnesia?

The only use that I know of rivastigmine being used in is dementia with or without full presentation of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. His amnesia is less a wasting of the brain matter and more of damage to the hippocampus due to lesion or injury. I would be hesitant to cross the line from use of this drug in manifestations of disease into use for psychological dysfunction. Does that make sense?

[SeriouslySearching]

We need to keep in mind that a lot of information concerning the sharing of the details of his injuries and subsequent treatment are limited under HIPPA.

When he was brought to the emergency room he would have had a full blood panel and liver functions test in addition to full body x-rays, MRIs etc. This is how they came up with the cervical surgery. This has nothing to do with insurance or ability to pay. This has to due with good medicine. No attending physician would treat a comatose patient without detailed information. A) it would be unethical and B) thats just asking for a lawsuit. I know that the real reason that we are not getting this information is either Mr. Kyle never bothered to ask what his emergency medical care consisted of or the nurses and physicians who attended him are unable to share details because of the bonds of HIPPA.If you read into the nurse's post to Al_B..."Bingo!"...sounds to me like they witheld such tests and treatment. She never said they found any proof of cervical surgery. They are only guessing this is what the scar on his neck could be from. They don't even know if his elbow has pins or plates, which I have questioned repeatedly as this would only take a simple x-ray. A good Ortho surgeon could tell them what the injury was.

Phenol~ Contacting a Congressman or Dept. of Human Services is not the type of legal help I meant at all. I meant an Attorney to represent him! If the hospital failed to run such tests (as Cloekins mentioned) immediately after he was diagnosed with Amnesia (which he had when brought in...but probably wasn't diagnosed with for awhile afterward) then they could be responsible. A court order could obtain the medical files without the fee.

[phenolred]

i want suggesting we contact a congressman, it seems they have already done that. But the article says this

Georgia Legal Services was trying to help him obtain a Social Security number

I was assuming Georgia Legal Services was some type of "free" legal assitance, seems they got the congressman involved

[phenolred]

Yep its seems like what they ( georgia legal services) are
http://www.glsp.org/

they have been helping him.

But legally they can charge a fee for copying the medical records etc. Maybe he needs to have a fundraiser to help raise the money. But the thing it DID say was that records can be transferred to a new doctor for no charge for ongoing treatment. Maybe he has already got this taken care of and has the records already. Nurse are you watching could you let us know if this has been resolved?

[Chloekins]

[quote=SeriouslySearching;1761445]If you read into the nurse's post to Al_B..."Bingo!"...sounds to me like they witheld such tests and treatment. She never said they found any proof of cervical surgery. They are only guessing this is what the scar on his neck could be from. They don't even know if his elbow has pins or plates, which I have questioned repeatedly as this would only take a simple x-ray. A good Ortho surgeon could tell them what the injury was.
quote]
Is the nurse that is Mr. Kyle's spokes person a RN or a MA? Wasn’t this nurse connected with Mr. Kyle after he was placed in a long term care facility which was almost 3 years after he was found? Or was she an employee of the Medical center he was transferred to 2 weeks after admittance to the original hospital? Was she present during the original emergency admittance or an attending nurse during follow up care at said hospital? These are all pertinent questions before I assume that she has a solid ground from which to determine what was and was not done during admittance.

I just can not wrap my head around this scenario. An unresponsive unconscious man is brought into the ER. He has blunt force trauma to the face and head. He is sun burned and covered in ant bites. Paramedics relay the information that there are possible neurological problems.

Doctors refuse to do any x-ray analysis but merely treat the gentleman’s superficial wounds. Scaring is noted on both neck, jaw and elbow but these are not deemed related to current injuries. CT determined to not be needed regardless of the fact that there are 3 depressions along the side of the head consistent with object being used to create trauma.

No blood work is done to see if the gentleman in question is on any medications or has any medical conditions. He is merely hooked up to an IV and given fluids but no pain medications because there is no blood work to correlate to.

Make sense? Not to me either. There is no way that this man did not receive a full blood/liver panel’s, CT (for the trauma to the head), x-rays (for possible broken bones) and a neurological consultation (to determine full extent of injuries). These are guidelines that all emergency medicine physicians follow. This is done before anyone even knows whether the patient has insurance or not. If a patient has prolonged LOC and a possible neurological problem there is no way in heck the physician would not order all of the above mentioned procedures and that’s just the beginning. This man underwent a lot of consultations and tests, I guarantee it.

At some point in time his PCP determined that he was in exceptional good health and did not need any medications to maintain this state of health. He was routinely and continually monitored for two weeks at the original hospital at which time he was determined to be healthy enough for transfer to another facility albeit semiconscious. He eventually ended up at the JC Lewish Health Center whose main purpose is care of the indigent population.


Here is something I found from the website:
Benjamin Kyle:
Benjamin Kyle has made great strides in the process to piecing his life back together. When Benjamin was referred to Union Mission’s Grace House from Memorial Medical Center, it appeared he was functionally blind, suffering from memory loss, and just barely beginning his recovery from a recent surgery. Because of the seriousness of his condition, Mr. Kyle was transferred from Grace House to the J. C. Lewis Health Center for respite care.

While a