Locked in: One of Lynne Malcolm's favourite All in the Mind programsLocked in: One of Lynne Malcolm's favourite All in the Mind programs
All In The Mind
At the age of 12 Martin Pistorius developed a mysterious neurological illness. He fell into a coma and was unable to move or communicate. It was assumed he had no awareness but a couple of years later he began to wake up—yet no-one knew. He was trapped inside his body for almost 10 years until he found a way to communicate. Using computer-generated voice technology he tells us about how he coped with this terrifying ordeal, and how he found the love of his life.
29:08•29 Nov 2020
Locked In but Not Lost: The Ghost Boy, Neuroscience and a Remarkable Love Story
Episode Overview
- Locked-in syndrome can leave people fully aware but unable to move or communicate, and they are often misdiagnosed as being in a vegetative state.
- People in care who appear unresponsive may understand everything, so treating them with dignity, kindness and respect is crucial.
- Imagination, inner conversations and focusing on what you can control can help someone endure extreme isolation and fear.
- Attentive carers and family members can spot subtle signs of awareness that professionals might miss, opening the door to communication.
- Holding onto dreams, however small, can shape a meaningful future, including study, work, travel and loving relationships.
“I think that there is always hope, no matter how small. Treat people how you would want to be treated, with kindness, dignity, compassion and respect.”
Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of resilience, fear and love, all told through a computer-generated voice. This All In The Mind favourite follows Martin Pistorius, who at 12 developed a mysterious illness, slipped into a coma and was assumed to be in a vegetative state. Years later, his mind woke up, but his body didn’t respond. For almost a decade, he was fully aware yet unable to let anyone know. Martin describes the horror of being “invisible.
The ghost boy,” and the crushing powerlessness of having every decision made for him. You’ll hear how he coped by escaping into his imagination, replaying cricket matches in his head and dreaming up James Bond–style wheelchair adventures. He also talks candidly about mistreatment and abuse in care homes, and the loneliness of being seen as an “imbecile” while knowing he was far more capable.
Neuroscientist Dr Michelle Veldsman explains locked-in syndrome in clear, accessible language, outlining how brain damage can leave a person awake and aware but unable to move. She walks through cutting-edge techniques such as brain-computer interfaces and scanning methods that can reveal hidden awareness in people thought to be in a vegetative state.
The mood shifts as Martin recalls the quiet carer, Verna, who first noticed his tiny eye movements and “was the catalyst who changed everything”, leading to communication technology and a return to life on his own terms. Then comes the love story: Joanna, the woman who met Martin via Skype, fell for his smile and personality, and later married him.
She shares the emotional impact of supporting him, standing up to sceptical friends, and helping him write his memoir, Ghost Boy. At its heart, this conversation asks a blunt question: how differently would you treat people if you assumed they understood everything? It’s a powerful reminder that “there is always hope, no matter how small.”
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