This chapter delves into the gradual return of awareness in locked-in syndrome and explores the devastating reality of being trapped inside one's body. It also discusses the causes of locked-in syndrome and highlights the unusual case of Martin Pistorius, who had full awareness without a known cause for his condition.
At the age of 12 Martin Pistorius developed a mysterious neurological illness. He fell into a coma and was unable to move or communicate. It was assumed he had no awareness but a couple of years later he began to wake up—yet no-one knew. He was trapped inside his body for almost 10 years until he found a way to communicate. Using computer-generated voice technology he tells us about how he coped with this terrifying ordeal, and how he found the love of his life.