This is an incredible (and frightening) true story about a 12 year old boy who came down with a mysterious illness that ended up literally trapping him in his own body for years and who came back slowly. Definitely a must read.

Martin Pistorius' story is so inspiring! I found this on NetGalley and requested it on a whim, not knowing how much of an impact it would have on me! This is a memoir written by a guy who lost all motor skills, including the ability to talk, when he was an adolescent. For the first few years his family had no idea he could still hear them and understand what they were saying. I can't imagine how scary that was for him. He didn't accept that as the end; he figured out a way to get attention. I rejoiced with him as he mastered more and more, and cried when he had setbacks. The writing is honest & raw (and funny at times.) It makes me appreciate the little things a lot more! Must read!

A heart wrenching, encouraging book that deserves to be read. A personal look at trauma and recovery from illness. "It's not over until it's over." Loved this one.

This is the incredible story of a once-normal 12 year old boy who fell inexplicably sick and became a « living vegetable ». For six years, he’s “out”. Between the age of 18 and 20, his mind slowly but steadily resurges, while his body remains totally unresponsive to his will. To the world, including the people caring for him and even to his family, he still seems the lifeless body without a brain or any intelligence. While Martin himself does not remember being the once-normal 12 year old, he does feel that the way he is being treated and occupied (or not) is unsuitable: “No one seems to consider that even people who are thought to be intellectually impaired can change as they grow older”. Not to mention the people who consider him solely an object of their perversion as they abuse and mistreat him.
More by chance than anything else, one carer finally suspects that Martin’s movements could be more than random and actually considers them signs. Only because of one person’s close attention and conviction is Martin finally assessed and is enabled to start communicating with his environment. Over many years of training and patience and while showing a high degree of intelligence, will power and motivation, he manages to lead a life as normal and happy as he could possibly hope for ever since his awakening.

The most scary questions – apart from the obvious questions like “who makes sure that carers don’t abuse of their power over helpless individuals totally dependent on them” – for me remain these: “What would have happened if that one carer had not paid this much attention?” and “How many people are in institutions these days who are believed not to be taking part in this world just because we do not understand their signs of trying to show us that even in the most useless body, a totally healthy mind might be struggling to cope?”
An inspiring and breathtaking story, which made me cry and lose trust in this world as much as it made me smile and very happy eventually.

Ghost Boy
The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body

by Martin Pistorius
Thomas Nelson--HAMPTON GROUP









Thomas Nelson

Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 19 Nov 2013

Archive Date Not
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Ghost Boy through the Publisher and Netgalley:
This is the powerful story of a young man trapped inside his own body. He cannot speak or move independently but his mind is always going. But no one around him is aware of that. He received no lessons and was not read to from books but he soaks in knowledge.
Up until the age of 12 he was a normal little boy. In January of 1988 he came home from school with a sore throat. He never went back to classes in the weeks and months that passed he forgot to do things, until he forgot how to walk and finally speak. Though his body was in an endless fight, but his man slowly came back.
At first they thought his problems were psychological but soon they realized they were physical. Years passed with him in a Dark unseeing world until one day he started coming back to life. At sixteen his mind began to reawken and by nineteen it was fully intact.
During this time he grows closer to God and finds comfort in thay, as well as a caretaker Virna who takes the time to really look inside him and see the person.
His Mother feels residential care is what Martin needs, but her Father believes he will get better one day.
Finally after years Martin is once again given a voice through a software program and a laptop.
Ghost Boy is a powerful true story of a slow awakening both literally and figuratively. Its a story of overcoming against impossible odds, and finding a calling as well as Love.
I give Ghost Boy five out of five stars!
Happy Reading...