This Man Was Trapped In His Own Body For 12 Years, Until God Sent Him A Miracle
January 14, 2014
See the little boy far right? That's Martin. And THIS was the last picture taken before he became very ill . . .and became trapped in his own body.
Can you even imagine being completely aware of everything happening around you, but being unable to move or speak? How completely alone you'd feel if everyone continued to talk in front of you as if you didn't even exist.
That's exactly what happened to Martin Pistorious.
When Martin was just 12 years old, he was hospitalized with Cryptococci Meningitis. His condition became very severe and he slipped into a coma, leaving him unable to move or even speak.
Doctors broke the heartbreaking news to his parents that their son was nothing more than a "˜vegetable" and they should take him home to die. There was nothing more that could be done for him but to make him comfortable until death claimed him.
His parents were crushed by the devastating news and brought him home where they devotedly cared for Martin.
But instead of dying, Martin just kept going.
And so, for 12 years, the parents lives revolved around caring for their son. Martin's dad, Rodney Pistorius, woke up each morning at 5 AM to get Martin ready and take him to a special care center.
In the evenings, Rodney would bathe him, feed him, put him in bed, set my alarm for two hours so that I'd wake up to turn him so that he didn't get bedsores.
Feeling completely desperate, Joan remembers once telling her son, "I hope you die."
"I know that's a horrible thing to say. I just wanted some sort of relief," she said.
During all those years, Martin never showed any signs of improvement and his parents had all but given up hope that their beloved Martin would ever recover.
But just when they had given up--everything changed! One day, out of the blue, Martin got a miracle. They began to notice subtle signs that he was responding to the conversation surrounding him!
Martin began to get better and stronger day by day. And finally, he was able to share exactly what it was like being trapped in his own body.
Martin told his parents he was "aware of everything while trapped in a vegetative state” even his mother's hurtful comment.
Aware of everything, but unable to say anything, Martin said he'd sunk into a very dark place and began to feel himself vanish. He became convinced that no one would ever show him tenderness or love him ever again.
"Everyone was so used to me not being there that they didn't notice when I began to be present again. The stark reality hit me that I was going to spend the rest of my life like that totally alone," Martin explained
"You don't really think about anything. You simply exist."
Can you even imagine how frustrating it must be to have no say over even the most basic things in your life? No control over what you eat, drink or even watch on TV?
"I cannot even express to you how much I hated Barney," Martin said about the children's television program that used to play on an endless loop at the care center.
All of that is behind Martin now. After 12 invisible years held prisoner in his own body, he was able to get an office job.
Martin was eventually even able to relate to his grieving mother. As time passed, I gradually learned to understand my mother's desperation. Every time she looked at me, she could see only a cruel parody of the once-healthy child she had loved so much.
Now, Martin is 39 years old and lives in England with his wife Joanna.
He has written a book about his ordeal called, "Ghost Boy: My Escape From a Life Locked Inside My Own Body."
God sent Martin a miracle that changed his life forever. Not everyone may get that miracle. But Martin's story is a powerful reminder that everyone, no matter how different they may be, is a person and deserves to be treated with love, patience, and understanding. I pray we may never forget that!
Credit: Thomas Nelson
Featured Image Credit: YouTube
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Comfort and Hope in Times of Grief - Your Daily Prayer - November 14
If you are hurting today, if you are grieving, sit with Jesus. Remember the sacrifice He made for you. Read Psalm 23 and allow the truth of who God is to penetrate your weary soul.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Comfort and Hope in Times of Grief - Your Daily Prayer - November 14
If you are hurting today, if you are grieving, sit with Jesus. Remember the sacrifice He made for you. Read Psalm 23 and allow the truth of who God is to penetrate your weary soul.
Past Stories
- Daughter of WWII Soldier Finally Learns What Happened To Him, 80 Years Later
- Sisters Scream With Joy Watching Their 4-Year-Old Sister Take Her First Steps
- Her Mom Put a Message in a Bottle As a Child, 26 Years Later Her Classmate Found It
- This Missouri School Was Renamed After Their Much Loved and Dedicated Custodian
- Michael Strahan's Daughter is Now Cancer Free and Has Taught Him All About Perseverance
- These Two Newlyweds Found Love in Their Late 90s, After Meeting At Their Retirement Home
- Sisters Who Were Adopted By Separate Families Nearly 40 Years Ago Reunite After DNA Tests
- Oldest Living Person in the US Passes Away at 115, After a Long and Faithful Life
- At Just 20 and 22 Years Old, These Two Sisters From Minnesota Saved Their Family Farm
- After Over 450 Days in a Shelter, Boone and Rellie Find Their Forever Home, Together
- Sweet Kitten Named Coraline Loses Both Her Eyes, but Inspires Many with Her Spirit
- Donny Osmond Sees the 'End of the Tunnel' Coming After Performing for Over 6 Decades
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
Top Music Videos
Passion Music Passion's Soul-Stirring 'Agnus Dei' Live Performance
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Anne Wilson The Manger’ Anne Wilson And Josh Turner Christmas Hymn
CCM Magazine Josh Baldwin | 'Thank You Jesus' (acoustic)
Kari Jobe Kari Jobe - Firm Foundation (He Won't) / Great Are You Lord
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.