Imagine being fully aware but unable to move, speak, or let anyone know you’re still there. That was Martin Pistorius’ reality.
At age 12, the South African boy fell ill with a mysterious neurological condition. Doctors believed he was in a coma, unaware of the world. But Martin was conscious—trapped inside his own body and unable to communicate.
“I slowly became aware, but it took time to understand I was stuck,” he later recalled. For years, no one knew he could hear and think, and he silently endured everything around him.
Eventually, medical professionals realized he was conscious. Technology later helped him communicate through a computer.
Though he never regained his voice, Martin rebuilt his life. He now lives in Essex, UK, runs his own business, and is married. His bestselling memoir, Ghost Boy, tells his remarkable story of survival. His journey has inspired millions around the world.
