Martin Pistorius: Ghost Boy Author, Essay Example

Today, I read about the story of Martin Pistorius. He is the author of the book “Ghost Boy”. I am telling you about him because I think that his story-from his illness to recover- is very uplifting and inspiring at the same. If I can, I want his story to circulate and reach as many people as it possibly can.

I was pretty much in tears after reading his story. I just cannot imagine myself being in his shoes. From a healthy young boy to a wheelchair bound individual in just a matter of 15 months is devastating. Nobody could figure out what it happening to him. Even his parents have lost hope. He was in a virtual coma and all he had was Barney to accompany him every single day. It seemed like he was gone but yet he was there. He heard everything that was said and knew what was going on around him. But he could not react. He could not communicate. I just do not know how I would have handled that situation if it was me. It was hard. I can almost feel his pain, his frustration, his hope that was slowly fading away, and his anger.

I do not blame him for being angry nor for losing hope. When people around you do not pay attention and just waiting for you to die, I might as well be dead.  But he fought for his survival and even in that darkest moment of his life, he fought hard and he survived.

Yet, despite of it all, the desire to get going was still there. One thing I learned from his story is to never give up. There is always hope and even in the darkest hours of our life there will always be that flickering light reminding us that it is not over until it is over. I am also reminded to stop complaining about my life because there is always someone out there who is fighting a harder battle than I do.

Work Cited

Pistorius, Martin. Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of A Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped in His Own Body. Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2013.