Ghost Boy: Martin Pistorius' Memoir of Surviving a Mysterious Illness and Finding His Voice (epub 75)
Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be trapped inside your own body, unable to speak or move, while everyone around you thinks you are brain-dead? That's what happened to Martin Pistorius, a South African boy who fell into a mysterious coma at the age of 12 and woke up four years later with full consciousness but no way to communicate. His story is told in his memoir, Ghost Boy, which became a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into more than 30 languages.
ghost boy martin pistorius epub 75
In this article, we will explore Martin's incredible journey from being a ghost boy to a successful web designer, speaker, and author. We will also learn some valuable lessons from his experience that can help us live more fully and love more deeply.
The Mysterious Illness That Changed Martin's Life
Martin Pistorius was a happy, healthy 12-year-old boy who loved playing with his Lego and watching Star Wars. He had a normal childhood in South Africa until one day in January 1988, when he came home from school with a sore throat. He thought it was nothing serious, but soon he started sleeping all day, refusing meals, and losing his voice. His parents took him to various doctors, but none of them could find out what was wrong with him. Within 18 months, he was mute and wheelchair-bound.
Martin's parents were told that he had an unknown degenerative disease that had destroyed his brain and left him with the mind of a baby. They were advised to put him in a care center for severely disabled children and prepare for his death. They were devastated by the news and felt helpless as they watched their son fade away.
The Dark Years of Silence and Suffering
Martin was moved to different care centers where he spent most of his time lying on a bed or sitting in a wheelchair. He was fed through a tube, changed by strangers, and given drugs to keep him calm. He had no stimulation, no interaction, no affection. He felt invisible--like a ghost of himself.
But what no one knew was that Martin was not brain-dead. He was fully aware of everything that was happening around him. He could hear, see, feel, think, and remember. He just couldn't make a sign or a sound to let anyone know he was there.
For more than a decade, Martin lived in this state of silent torture. He endured boredom, loneliness, pain, and abuse. He witnessed things that no child should ever see or hear. He had no hope, no dreams, no future. He wanted to die, but he couldn't even do that.
The Awakening of Hope and Love
Martin's life changed when he was 25 years old. A new caregiver named Virna van der Walt noticed that he was different from the other children. She saw a spark in his eyes and a response to her voice. She decided to try something that no one had ever done before: she taught him how to use a computer.
With the help of a special software that allowed him to select words and phrases by moving his eyes, Martin was able to communicate for the first time in his life. He was able to tell his parents that he loved them, that he was sorry for what they had gone through, and that he was grateful for their support. He was able to express his thoughts, feelings, and opinions. He was able to reclaim his voice.
Martin's breakthrough opened up a new world of possibilities for him. He started to learn new skills, make new friends, and explore new interests. He also met the love of his life, Joanna, a social worker from England who visited his care center. They fell in love online and met in person in 2008. They got married in 2009 and moved to England, where they live happily ever after.
The Journey of Recovery and Transformation
Martin's recovery was not easy or quick. He had to overcome many physical and emotional challenges, such as learning how to walk again, dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, and coping with the memories of his past. He also had to face the reality of his condition, which is still unknown and incurable.
But Martin did not let his illness define him or limit him. He used his computer skills to become a successful web designer, working for clients around the world. He also became a motivational speaker, sharing his story and inspiring others with his courage and resilience. He wrote his memoir, Ghost Boy, which was published in 2011 and became an international bestseller. He also appeared on several TV shows, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America.
Martin's transformation from a ghost boy to a thriving man is nothing short of miraculous. He credits his faith, his family, and his wife for giving him the strength and the motivation to keep going. He also acknowledges the role of technology in his recovery, saying that it gave him a voice, a purpose, and a connection to the world.
The Lessons Learned from Martin's Story
Martin's story is not only remarkable but also educational. It teaches us some important lessons that can help us live more fully and love more deeply. Here are some of them:
Never give up hope. No matter how dark or hopeless your situation may seem, there is always a chance for change and improvement. Martin never gave up hope even when he had no reason to hope. He believed that one day someone would notice him and help him. And he was right.
Never judge by appearances. People are more than what they look like or what they can do. Martin was judged by his appearance and his disability, but he had a rich inner life that no one could see or appreciate. He had feelings, thoughts, dreams, and talents that were hidden from the world. We should never judge anyone by their appearance or their ability, but by their character and their heart.
Never take anything for granted. Life is precious and fragile, and we should cherish every moment we have. Martin lost everything he had at the age of 12: his health, his freedom, his voice, his dignity. He learned to appreciate the simple things in life: a smile, a touch, a word, a breath. We should never take anything for granted: our health, our family, our friends, our opportunities. We should be grateful for what we have and make the most of it.
Never stop learning and growing. Life is a journey of discovery and development, and we should always seek to learn new things and improve ourselves. Martin learned how to use a computer, how to walk again, how to speak in public, how to write a book. He also learned how to forgive, how to trust, how to love. We should never stop learning and growing: intellectually, emotionally, spiritually.
Conclusion
Martin Pistorius is a living miracle. He survived a mysterious illness that robbed him of his voice and his body, and he emerged from a decade of silence and suffering with a renewed spirit and a zest for life. He overcame unimaginable challenges and achieved remarkable goals. He found his voice, his purpose, and his love.
Martin's story is a testament to the power of hope, faith, and love. It is also a reminder to us to never give up on ourselves or on others, to never judge by appearances or abilities, to never take anything for granted, and to never stop learning and growing.
If you want to learn more about Martin's story, you can read his book Ghost Boy, which is available in various formats, including epub 75. You can also visit his website, www.martinpistorius.com, where you can find more information about him and his work. You can also watch his TEDx talk, where he shares his message of hope and resilience.
Martin Pistorius is an inspiration to us all. He shows us that nothing is impossible, that life is worth living, and that love is worth fighting for.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the book or Martin's life:
What is epub 75? Epub 75 is a file format that allows you to read ebooks on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. It is similar to epub, but it has some additional features, such as enhanced typography, better layout, and more accessibility options.
What is the cause of Martin's illness? The cause of Martin's illness is still unknown. Some doctors speculated that it was a rare form of cryptococcal meningitis, but there was no conclusive evidence. Martin himself believes that it was a combination of factors, such as stress, genetics, environment, and bad luck.
How did Martin learn how to use a computer? Martin learned how to use a computer with the help of Virna van der Walt, a caregiver who noticed his potential and taught him how to use a special software called The Grid 2. The software allowed him to select words and phrases by moving his eyes over a grid of symbols on a screen. He also used a speech synthesizer to produce sounds.
How did Martin meet his wife? Martin met his wife Joanna online through a dating website. They exchanged emails and chatted on Skype for several months before meeting in person in 2008. They got married in 2009 and moved to England.
What does Martin do for a living? Martin works as a web designer and developer. He creates websites for various clients around the world. He also works as a motivational speaker and an author. He has written two books: Ghost Boy and My Life After Death.
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