Martin Pistorius | My Way Back to Words | TEDxKC
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2015
- Trapped inside of his own body for a decade and thought to be severely brain-damaged, Martin Pistorius was actually fully aware the entire time. His story is one marked by abuse, neglect, love and despair. An expert on what people do when they think no one is looking, Martin has become well versed on human nature and self-determination.
Martin Pistorius is the author of the New York Times best-selling book "Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body."
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
Wonderful. This hits so close to home.
My wife, having lost all ability to move and her voice waning, spent hours trying to say one phrase. One night, she woke me by doing this. I have to admit I was kind of irritated. My eyes still closed, her voice came out clear as a bell... "Chris, I love you."
I melted, and have remained in that state ever since.
Those were the last verbal words that I could understand... yet she continues to speak.
I'm true moved by your story, Chris. Please continue to be strong for her. I pray that your wife will get better. Sending the hopes from Vietnam.
+Chris Knight Touching! Wishing you and your wife all the strength in the world.
beautiful...... god bless u
I'm truly saddened to hear about that. Would it be okay if I asked what happened to her? All the best from China.
whats her name so we can pray 4 her.
How does he not have the worst case of PTSD that anyone has ever seen? Actually, I think it's amazing that he didn't totally lose touch with reality and go into some kind of psychosis when he was paralyzed.
Melissa0774 ikr. If I were him, I would've gone crazy. He's not strong physically, but he's strong mentally.
Sheer strength of will beyond imagination.
Also no choice... couldn't kill himself.
i was thinking the same what happened to him is my second biggest fear the first one geting psichotic and losing contact with reality and never come back
I'm sure he does
I hope he lives the rest of his life in peace.
Christ did you really think at all before posting that
grandwizardovfingal I am but innocent
+Zeno Gamma nice edit
He deserves it
Lmfao this dude username sus af😂
Came here after watching his story on infographics
Me too. Someone should turn his story into a movie.
Same
@@erickutepow that would be very boring as a movie when the main character (martin) is silence for whole thing
Same
same
I hope the person who smiled at him watches this someday...
They probably wouldn't even remember being that person if they had honestly.
Reminds me that time of a girl that was murdered from my school which was all over news. She always smiled at me every morning. Never knew her. But it broke my heart 😔
@@kadijakaramel4292 oof whats her name
They actually reunited 🥹🥹🥹
Wow...his writing skills are incredible considering his 12 years of darkness
Katie Rose you should read his book!
It makes sense that being unable to convey the simplest things for so long would drive him to articulate so smoothly. He has an unbeatable will.
Well he did graduate college before he wrote this just saying
All he had to do was to take his thoughts and feelings and put them in writing. He had an incredible amount of thoughts and feelings. Not the same, but Maya Angelou went through horrendous things as a child. At one point she suffered from elective mutism for 6 years. It didn't keep her from thinking. To speak was terrifying for her because of what she had gone through. When she was ready, she wrote. She had a lot to say.
When you're isolated, you tend to develop a very rich inner dialogue. You find ways to articulate that convey exactly what you mean in every way, especially since tone is difficult to decipher through text. When you have ten years alone, you've got a lot of time to write out everything. I wouldn't be surprised if this speech was prepared mentally for ages before we heard it.
this should be made into a movie
i feel like his story might be kind of hard to depict on screen. some great stories just aren't meant for film. I'm not sure how they would even go about showing his story? he was trapped in his mind for 12 years. how do you express that on film? he just had thoughts. no actions. how do you film that? would make a great book but not sure how it would work as a movie. would be a great movie if someone could figure out how to do it though.
Apparently multiple studios are working for the rights to his story. He has said that he wants to be played by Matt Damon, and his wife has said that she wants to be played by Cameron Diaz
there is a very good movie that depicts a very similar situation this man experienced.
Johnny Got His Gun 1971
super late, but the book has been out for a while. It is really good.Sad though, but tells his whole story.
I feel like images, a voice over, some of his fantasies. He speaks of the world he created in his mind. the situations seen in first person.
I imagine this could be a VERY powerfull movie.
Imagine, his life was a movie.
He was just opserving.
He’s objectively one of the mentally strongest people ever.
That smile when he said "I met Joan" melted my heart❤❤
Who's Joan? I thought he would marry Virna
Call an ambulance
We need more Joans and less politicians.
10:51
@@EPrimeify Virna was the doctor that saved him
he has the most beautiful smile
No
@@pr9550 Rack off
Oʀʀɪɴ Bᴇsᴛᴇʀ Rack
HIS SWEET SMILE BEFORE THE THANK YOU, BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. I am so glad he is happy and in love.
Anceli Peguero i met him and his wife today and you can just tell how much happiness she brings him. he is amazing
AWWW What a greattt blessing and opportunity you had!! Thanks for sharing it with me, so kind of you!!
“In love” is that your main takeaway here? Really?
@@lukasribin4168 DUDE, get a happy life, after what he went through he got to meet an awesome wife and have a family OF COURSE I am happy he is in love and taken care of!
@@lukasribin4168 you are a sad little man
He's written a book called "Ghost Boy" which is so moving. One of the best and hardest books I've ever read. Been crying through each chapter.
He is a truly remarkable soul and I am so sorry for his years of darkness and suffering and have nothing but respect and admiration for something I know I personally would not have survived.
it’s so sad how all the bad things happen to good people, and good happens to bad people
10:02 “I realized people would listen to me only if it was in line with their expectations”
Frightening reality
What kind of animal could sexually and physically abuse a man in his condition?
+Allkinds ofgainz I know shocking hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+Allkinds ofgainz Humans!
+Alcides Leonardo Jaimes I was fixing to say the same.
There is an low-functioning autistic woman whom advocates for human rights and equal treatment - discussing what it feels like to live in a world that is set against you - and the abuses she has endured. She also discusses the notion that "fixing" people in her position isn't fair.
She discussed the feeling of knowing people felt burdened by her or treated her like an animal. I am trying to find her page - I remember distinctly the elegant way she spoke (using a computer device).
Stanford Prison Experiment.
"I taught myself to tell the time by where the shadows were..." I genuinely can't think of anything else to type other than, well done. And i mean it.
When you forget your phone when pooping, but for 12 years
@@Win090949 haha dammit I was crying and this made me chuckle
This dude just lived my worst nightmare and the last two words are probably the warmest I've ever heard. Amazing.
This was extremely powerful, wow.
very
not really
Nevermind, I just cried
Mangs ... why hello
Mangs I'm a CNA and I take care of older people and one thing is for sure it ticks me off when I hear when someone defenseless get abuse like this. I'm both emaresed that as a health care provider hearing this and frustrate me.
I bet he has an insanely high spatial IQ with all of that time spent mentally creating and living out fantasies in his head. This is 1000x better than half of the crap TED puts out, why so few views?
Jake Rose probably because of the lack of voice, I don’t find his voice annoying but I could see why someone would
Honestly, probably because he isn't a known name or the title isn't interesting enough to click on, sadly.
I think some people might not believe it because it is a man sitting in a wheel chair while a pre written speech is read by a computer ? It'd be more meaningful to see him being himself interacting w people fielding questions etc.
@@darrinsiberia because of his disability his ability to respond is slow and sadly I think even more people would be uninterested if it was a live Q + A ....I just finished his book yesterday. He is an inspiring human being
An inspiration truly.
This man is a saint. That he had such enormous will power and such a large heart just gets me everytime.
My brother is currently in a vegetative state due to a seizure (cause unknown) he suffered on New Year's Day 2019.
As his brother, I will never give up hope, this incredible story helps a lot.
You are a better man than I, Martin Pistorius.
Talk to him a lot. Tell him you know he may be awake. Prayers
I'll pray for your brother
Coloque um audio para eles escutar do hooponopono! Todos os dias
Godspeed on the recovery!
How is he doing today
Hearing he was abused in all kinds of ways during his stays at care programs breaks my heart. It’s a shame that the creepiest people find their way into the lives on the most vulnerable people.
You have to understand, this man was unable to speak, unable to control his body, when it came back to him, he truly understood the power of words and communcation once it had it back, he understands that words make us human, and it made me cry as I suffer with extreme social anxiety, yet this man has suffered so much worse than me, he understands the ability of communication better than every single one of us.
What an amazing man! Thank goodness for the aromatherapist. I also hope all those who victimized him and whom he watched victimize others are imprisoned.
Angleina D I don't think they were imprisonded
They would be ashamed.
Looking at him now and seeing how aware he obviously is, it's so strange that other people thought he was a total vegetable for so long.
He wasn't able to move or blink for 12 years.
He looks like a wonderful, noble man. You can see it in his eyes, his face, his mimics. Best of luck to this man from now on.
Lost for words. When I first heard about his story, I didn't know he was abused. That was INFURIATING to find out. I couldn't watch the whole video last time, but this time I did, and it was increadibly moving.This man shared so many important messages and showed incredible amount of resilience, will and love. He's got a kind soul despite so many hardships he's been through.
I have been a caregiver for a career. I can tell you with absolute certainty, everyone is abused to some extent who needs care. I've seen it all, from micro-aggressions to outright mental or physical abuse.
I started back when we received a lot of training, when idealistic people were wanting to make a change. Now it's full of people looking for an easy buck and doing as little as possible, many from the impoverished homes who want to be paid for watching TV. Some people aren't spoken to, slammed around physically as gentle movement is much harder on our bodies. Some are "dealt with " as quickly as possible so staff can get back to tv. I tried so often to retrain staff that we are helping fellow humans, but whatever is easiest for staff is what sticks. All I could really do was make their lives as nice as I could while I was there. Touch, affection, talking, singing, giving choices, all make such a difference. One of the saddest things is when I would meet someone, and their staff of many years had nothing to say about them. I would read the material on them, ask questions of families and staff, make sure to find out likes and dislikes and abilities. Make whoever I cared for as 3 dimensional as possible. Not only did others NOT do this, but thought me weird for doing this. They would say , "I didn't know she could hold the shower head and wash her leg!" And I am thinking how could you NOT notice.
thank you@@LetsPatchItUp
I worked as a health care aide with many unresponsive people. How many of them also feel and perceive more than we realize? God help us to treat every person with the dignity and true care that Martin needed so desperately when no one knew! Let us treat them as though they understand us, just in case they really do.
God bless you 🥰
I'll never look at someone who is disabled the same ever again. This is such a wild story wow, what an amazing soul..
Just met him today and got his book signed. he and his story is incredible
Everyone should read his book Ghost Boy.
Oh wow the poor guy couldn't even die when he wanted too and if anyone had a right too it probably be him. Man this hurt me listening too. This man is like a diamond refined by pressure and heat in the darkness of the earth, he is very wise and his emotional IQ is probably many life times higher than most people. I admire him and would like to have a heart as strong as him.
I love his smile when he first mentioned the name Joana. I really admire her. We need more people like her. People, who see the man behind the disabilities or abilities someone has. This is impressive and I am so glad they found each other
That’s all you b*tches ever care about. You miss the most important parts of his story and who he is because you’re too enamored with the idea of an ‘SO’ coming to the rescue like a condescending saint (your own dream no doubt) when she wasn’t even the one who saved him.
This story isn’t some saccharine romance. Stop reducing it to that with comments like this.
Amazing man to come through that horror and be able to smile.There is nothing like the human mind and spirit.I hope one day he will be able to walk and talk.
He never will, I think it's much more important to be aprecciative of the things he is able to do.
A new perspective on life is developed after listening to Martin's story. I just can't imagine the extent of the anguish and mental pain he must have suffered all those years.
i wish he talked more about the recovery process after the aromatherapist found out that he could understand what was going on
ashleeashelle I highly recommended reading his book “Ghost Boy.” It’s amazing and he explains his recovery in great detail.
I've just heard his story in podcast Invisibilia. I was moved to tears. What a story.
same here its truly amazing and so motivational
His smile at the end is so magical. Martin deserves all the happiness in the world
he is incredibly eloquent
6:44 Some times a smile is worth so much
Truly amazing and also a serious reality check for me. I talked all my life, yet I never stopped to listen to others. I'm deeply ashamed.
"I've heard actions speak louder than words but, sometimes I wonder - do they?"
*D A M N*
Oh my, I have never seen someone more beautiful. His smile.
"He simply existed" is the best way to put his experience.
I've read his book. So utterly heartbreaking and beautiful. I hope he continues to live happier and in peace.
I struggle with social anxiety and being overly agreeable. I have trouble speaking my mind and often go with the flow just to avoid what I perceive as an awkward or "abrasive" situation. Even though mostly everything I want to say would be perfectly reasonable. Hearing Martin's story and his view of communication is inspiring. I have the tools and the power to assert myself more and I let my own mind hold me back. Martin meanwhile, was held back physically by his body. His accomplishments have come from his ability to communicate once again and its a silly thing to not speak what's on your mind.
Same here. Thank you for sharing.
@@pilanemorake9375 same heree
“With only my thoughts for company” that hits very close to home. I don’t have a lot of people in my life, my thoughts are my closest friends. It’s sad but I have to make the best of it. I feel for this man, I wish him the happiest and healthiest rest of his life.
That woman (the nurse) was sent by God to give him a chance 😢. God bless you dear nurse for paying attention to this poor man’s feelings🙏🏽
The God who paralyzed a child for years in the first place?
@@altayhunoglu3552‼️
I am amazed on how the audience never uttered or chat but all they did was listen... I am in awe with how Mr. Martin brings the audience to a complete state of just understanding and appreciating.
Martin clearly has a strong spirit in order to come through such a horrific experience. What a powerful story. I'm so glad he is able to speak his mind now. I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to not be able to communicate my thoughts to those I love.
This tale needs to be told to more people.
I think a lot of us know our mind is our worst enemy most times. I, especially, doubt myself and battle with scary thoughts all the time. Being trapped in your own body, being alone with yourself, and enduring it for some 12 years with no form of communication or interaction with others, that would've been worse than hell for me. I have nothing but respect for this man, it's just absolutely inconceivable how he managed to battle through it and come out a normal man
Mr. Martin is exactly why I treat ALL patients as if they're awake, aware, living and breathing human beings, like they're my family or even myself. I HATE abusive and hateful caregivers. Went bother to come into the field?! You have to go to school literally a year or more for your career, pass state exams, then licensing fees all for the ability to abuse people? Go work on computers. Jeez! Everyone else, I'm going to tell you it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil. People are people no matter what therefore field. You should NEVER leave people you hire to their own devices, including caregivers. If you have a loved one in ANY institution, go visit. Visit day AND night. Don't call, just show up. Be that pain in the rump of the people who is taking care of your loved one. The more you see your loved one the more the staff will see you. Plain in simple, I can only do so much being only one provider. If I'm off or on another team etc, I'm unable to know what's going on everywhere. I'm just a staff nurse. As for me, my parents, who are older, will never see the inside of a nursing facility. I'm a nurse, I'll take care of them. Maybe we should all do that.
It's difficult for me to type this because I'm crying uncontrollably. I'm so sorry that suffering exists.
Cried like 5 times during this video. What a guy! Incredible human being and truly inspirational.
12 years in coma since he was 12 ! And his language skills is way better than many people who have been awake for a life time .
Very deep
He wasn’t in a coma
Just watched Brew. God be with you Mr Pistorius.
Stumbled across this video by accident and very glad I did. This man is a prime example of being grateful for the life we are given, pushing through obstacles to achieve what you want and need. Congratulations Martin. You are a success and an inspiration to so many people's struggles. Many can relate to you. Whether it be mental or physical illness, someone in pain can hear your story and resonate with the fact that being trapped in your mind is difficult, but somehow, against the odds, you can make your way out.
Bless you and your family.
His craft with words is astonishing considering how he was cut out of a normal education and all that he has gone through. Hero.
I cried so much listening to his story. I'm still crying.
The guy at the end annoyed me coming out too early. He wasn't able to enjoy his standing ovation!
Martin was in charge of his wheelchair and chose when to leave. No one pushed him off stage. And he was smiling.
What an unimaginable experience he went through, being completely lucid, yet unable even let someone know that “he was in there”. How awful his young years must have been. It makes me happy to think how much his life has changed for the better, especially finding his wife. Here’s hoping the whole rest of his life is spent content and happy.
PLEASE READ HIS BOOK! It is an incredible story, touching, tender, funny, and inspiring. Martin is an amazing writer and tells his story with voice and emotion, please read!
Thank You! I am sorry for everything that you've been through. Your words bring hope into my heart and mind. I pray that my mother will awaken from the coma that has been holding her hostage for 11 years. Tears of joy describe the feeling I have towards your success. You are the wealthiest man in the world because your hope has no bounds.
Alina Yelskaya wow 11 years I Pray she is awake now.
Did she? Prayers for you both..
Oh my goodness his smile is so honest and beautiful. I absolutely love it. Hearing his story is heartbreaking, and I am so angry at humanity for it’s cruelty and heartlessness, but thankfully his story didn’t end there. He is able to inspire and amaze. I am so glad I came across this story.
Reminds me a bit of Helen Keller. People severely underestimate the power of communication. It changes everything.
His smile at the end brought tears to my eyes, with such a sincere "Thank You"
Wow this mans story is truly heartbreaking yet inspiring. As a disabled person myself sometimes things are very frustrating and they way people perceive you can be unsettling at times but this man gives me the hope to keep fighting.
Just finished his book Ghost Boy. What an incredibly strong and wonderful man. 💜
I'm in a process of reading it now. I can't finish any chapter of it without tears in my eyes
It is incrdible to see how Martin managed to retain his kind and loveable personality after having been through such unimaginable hardship and trauma, in part inflicted by other people. It is truely inspring and heartwarming to see that his story still came to such a beautiful ending. He truely deserves the love and success he now has in his life.
As much as some people can make you lose hope in humanity because they do the most disgusting things to others who can't defend themselves, there still are plenty other human beings who are truely beautiful inside out like his parents his now wife and the professionals who took care of him, that make you believe in love and that humans are good creatures !
I wish him the happiest remaining years of his life, he is truely formidable !!
This gave me goosebumps.
what does he says please
How amazing and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
That was the first Tedx Talks that I could literally feel his message in my heart. He's beyond incredible. What a beautiful soul he is! I literally do hope he is beyond happy now and truly sees how not powerless, but incredibly powerful he is! Amazing! Nothing short of amazing!
People laughed when he said he was tormented by Barney... that ain't funny, man.
I was annoyed by that too but it is possible that he smiled at that moment to set the mood. I don't think they showed his face at that time.
It was obviously meant as a joke to lighten the mood
Clearly not
Tyufoe96 no, it really wasn't. People lightened their own mood by automatically considering that as a joke.
Ruby ArnieJudasLove i thought that too
i hear these podcasts called invisibilia and he was featured in their very first episode...his story sent chills down my spine
I was in a coma for a week and it was horrible absolutely horrible I was vividly hallucinating and having horrible dreams it seemed like it would never end thankfully my will to live was strong I can't imagine what this man went thur God Bless Him.
Beautiful, it makes you believe you need to be more in tune with your children, listen when they talk because there may be a time when they cant. I love this so much. I am so happy for this man. Sometimes even those who talk are never listened too, never able to communicate and are trapped inside even though we can talk. very inspiring
The standing ovation ... honestly hats off to this gentleman for his story and flight - he deserves a very long beautiful life
This is nuts. Nobody deserves to go through something like this.
This is one of the most powerful talks I've witnessed if not the most powerful I've yet to
So much intelligence behind those eyes it is stunning.
I wish there was more talked about the abuse and the Barney show in the book. I feel more connected after this 15min video than when ive read the book
This touched me immensely! We have no reason to be unhappy. If he could survive through this darkness we can survive and thrive too.
i just want to hug martin and say thank you for this. very powerful
I finished the book today, and I'm so happy and proud to know who he is. At 26 it's the first book I've ever completely read. It's a terrible pity of an accomplishment but still good
That’s sad and pathetic. U never read a book in ur entire life ? Geez not even in school ? My god
@@debravan1167They said COMPLETELY read. Who are you to judge?
There is an Hollywood producer stroking his evil mustache at the moment while thinking he can make an Oscar winning movie out of this.
🤣😂
Just watched the video from Brew and I had to watch this next. His story is truly incredible and inspiring.
Same here just found brew and subbed.
Same; also came from Brew.
I cried four times watching this. This is the most powerful and touching thing I've ever heard
Man this is a hard hitting tear jerker for sure. I'm glad someone came along showed compassion and knew he was still all there
I feel so bad for him. I’m so happy that he was able to start communicating again, I definitely want to buy his book.
This made me cry, god damn
Made me cry. this needs to be more popular, it conveys so many powerful messages man.
So very sorry that you went through this. So glad you came out of it to see the world as others do not.
i am so proud of him. i hope he lives his life in the best way he can
I've never heard a more inspiring story
I wish him the best,he has been through so much and really all he wanted was to be loved and connect with someone and he did,and I'm so happy he did
Just hearing her name made him smile...I am so glad these soulmates found each other
Amazing man, cant comprehend what he went through and has achieved.
His book was incredible, I'm glad he decided to tell his story even after all of that trauma
Where can I listen to the audible book please
This man has a strong will, I would of went crazy and died of loneliness. I wish I was that strong willed, much respect!
Your smiles are so precious, Martin.
I'm so touched. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.