Watch man that woke from a 12 year coma explain he "was aware of everything"

When Martin Pistorius was 12, he contracted an illness and became weak.  He began to sleep often, his body weakening.  He lost his ability to make eye contact and to speak and eventually, became so sick that he lost his ability to move.

His family was notified that he had contracted cryptococal meningitis and he slipped into what seemed like a vegetative coma.

For 12 years, he lay helpless.  Doctors and his family were convinced he was absent.  They spent their days caring for him, turning him every two hours, feeding him and moving him.  At one point, his mother looked at him and told him "I hope you die."

All of this pain and anguish for what was believed to be a boy with zero intelligence, slowly on his way to death.

Then, someone took notice.  An aromatherapist saw something in Martin that struck her as alive.  She encouraged her familty to have him tested with alternative communication methods and eventually he was able to speak through a computer program.  When he came out of the paralysis an amazing thing was revealed.  He was aware the entire time.

His story is a testament to those suffering from vegetative states and coma.  It is quite likely that, despite a lack of response, there is awareness and that love and the right technologies can give them the will and the tools to become whole again.

Here is his story, in his own words