A man who experienced being trapped in his own body for ten years described the feeling as ‘powerless’.
At the age of 12, Martin Pistorius fell ill with cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculosis of the brain, leading to severe health complications.
Though he received treatment, he developed locked-in syndrome (LiS), a condition that leaves a person paralyzed except for the ability to move their eyes, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
While living with the paralysis, individuals with LiS remain fully conscious but lose the ability to speak.
Advancements in technology have enabled some people with this condition to communicate through eye movements and blinking.
For instance, BBC News reported that a man in the UK with LiS wrote a book using an Eyegaze computer earlier this year.
Martin endured LiS for more than ten years, including four years in a complete vegetative state.
Recalling his experience with the rare disorder, Martin shared with LADbible: “For me, that feeling of complete and utter powerlessness is probably the worst feeling I have ever experienced, and I hope I never have to experience again.”
“It is like you don’t exist; every single thing in your life is decided by someone else,” he added.
“Everything, from what you wear, to what you eat and drink, even if you eat or drink, to where you will be tomorrow, or next week, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Martin began to regain a sense of himself around his 16th birthday.
“I remember around my 16th birthday people talking about the stubble on my chin and wondering whether to shave me,” he recalled.
“It scared and confused me to listen to what was being said because, although I had no memories or sense of a past, I was sure I was a child, and the voices were speaking about a soon-to-be man.”
“I was able to hear, see, and understand everything around me, but I had absolutely no power or control over anything.”
At that time, no one realized Martin had regained consciousness, assuming he remained in a coma.
In 2001, he met therapist Virna van der Walt, who noticed a ‘sparkle in his eye’ and suspected he had regained consciousness.
This led to further exploration of Martin’s condition, and his parents acquired a computer equipped with communication software to enable him to interact with them.
Many years later, Martin has made an astonishing recovery and built an impressive life.
In an Instagram post, Martin updated his followers on his achievements, stating: “Since 2010 I have: graduated with a first-class honors degree in computer science, learnt to drive, published my book (Ghost Boy), given a TED Talk, started wheelchair racing, set a European record, been awarded a Doctorate, travelled far and wide, and become a father.”