I’ve searched and the specific story OP recounted doesn’t appear to have a verifiable origin in documented medical literature or news reports. It seems to be a narrative that has circulated online, possibly as a modern urban legend or a piece of fictional storytelling. While there are documented cases of individuals regaining consciousness after prolonged periods and experiencing significant memory gaps, there is no credible evidence to support the sequence of events described in this account.
It was covered in an episode of Radiolab and they interviewed the guy who experienced all of this. I’m not invested enough to find a source but it’s definitely not an urban legend.
Apparently this condition exists and is called “locked-in syndrom”, tho I don’t know about the specific case mentioned here.
Closest match my quick search revealed was
Martin Pistorius
Not everything matches, this one was had locked-in syndrome for “only” 12 years, but the symptoms check out. Apparently there’s a book about him called “Ghost Boy”, so maybe that’s where the other details are from.
Christine Waddel was the longest case of the syndrom I could find, paralyzed for 15 years.
I also found something closer to the 30 years claim, Rom Houben’s story… Which was a horrible hoax. A man had been in a coma for 23 years, and a psychiatrist claimed that he was actually conscious. He was provided a communication facilitor, used to communicate via a keyboard, and he shared his whole story… But that was all fake, the psychiatrist or someone working with him was writing these messages. But for several years, people wrote about this and believed it, you can still find articles from 2008-2009 that don’t really question the story. Maybe they’re quoting this story without having seen the refutations; but this still would involve some additions or errors on their part (Rom never recovered, for one).
I’m also a stranger without a source, but I recall seeing a YouTube video about it years ago, either a news story or documentary. I don’t know if the exact numbers are right but I remember the other details. I’ll have to see if I can find it.
Update: no idea. Can’t find the original video. The one I remember, the guy had been awake the whole time but a nurse had figured out how to communicate with him through eye blinking, he remembers his mom’s senseless comment years previous. OP might be mixing stories. I do vaguely remember ghost boy though.
There’s no way that’s real, it’s an interesting concept though. Being trapped in your body and unable to interact with the outside world for decades would be horrifying.
Source?
I’ve searched and the specific story OP recounted doesn’t appear to have a verifiable origin in documented medical literature or news reports. It seems to be a narrative that has circulated online, possibly as a modern urban legend or a piece of fictional storytelling. While there are documented cases of individuals regaining consciousness after prolonged periods and experiencing significant memory gaps, there is no credible evidence to support the sequence of events described in this account.
Thanks chatgpt
It was covered in an episode of Radiolab and they interviewed the guy who experienced all of this. I’m not invested enough to find a source but it’s definitely not an urban legend.
Thanks. OP mixed up stories somewhere.
Locked In Man
Chain email from Grandma
But nobody clapped and no atheist tried to abort him and the holy spirit did not enter her at her weakest moment
25th Trimester is way too late to attempt abortion.
Apparently this condition exists and is called “locked-in syndrom”, tho I don’t know about the specific case mentioned here.
Closest match my quick search revealed was Martin Pistorius Not everything matches, this one was had locked-in syndrome for “only” 12 years, but the symptoms check out. Apparently there’s a book about him called “Ghost Boy”, so maybe that’s where the other details are from.
Christine Waddel was the longest case of the syndrom I could find, paralyzed for 15 years.
I also found something closer to the 30 years claim, Rom Houben’s story… Which was a horrible hoax. A man had been in a coma for 23 years, and a psychiatrist claimed that he was actually conscious. He was provided a communication facilitor, used to communicate via a keyboard, and he shared his whole story… But that was all fake, the psychiatrist or someone working with him was writing these messages. But for several years, people wrote about this and believed it, you can still find articles from 2008-2009 that don’t really question the story. Maybe they’re quoting this story without having seen the refutations; but this still would involve some additions or errors on their part (Rom never recovered, for one).
This. A hundred fucking times this. Why is this drivel not being called out? 🤣
I’m also a stranger without a source, but I recall seeing a YouTube video about it years ago, either a news story or documentary. I don’t know if the exact numbers are right but I remember the other details. I’ll have to see if I can find it.
Update: no idea. Can’t find the original video. The one I remember, the guy had been awake the whole time but a nurse had figured out how to communicate with him through eye blinking, he remembers his mom’s senseless comment years previous. OP might be mixing stories. I do vaguely remember ghost boy though.
There’s no way that’s real, it’s an interesting concept though. Being trapped in your body and unable to interact with the outside world for decades would be horrifying.