As a 12-year-old boy, Martin Pistorius contracted cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculosis of the brain. He was treated for the illnesses but went on to develop something known as “locked-in syndrome” (LiS). It’s a rare disorder of the nervous system that leaves victims paralyzed, with the exception of the muscles that control eye movement. While paralyzed, Martin still had full consciousness, but could not speak. “It's like you don't exist, every single thing in your life is decided by someone else,” said Martin. "Everything, from what you wear, to what you eat and drink, even if you eat or drink, to where you will be tomorrow, or next week, and there is nothing you can do about it.” He began regaining consciousness around age 16 and achieved full consciousness by age 19, although he was still completely paralyzed with the exception of his eyes. His parents then gave him a speech computer, and he began slowly regaining some upper body functions. In 2008, he met his wife Joanna, and in 2009 they married. With Megan Lloyd Davis, he co-wrote his autobiography, Ghost Boy, which was published in 2011. By that time, Martin had regained limited control over his head and arms, but still needed the speech computer to communicate with others. In 2018, Martin and Joanna had their first child, Sebastian, and Martin began using a wheelchair. It wasn’t long before he was engaged in wheelchair racing. Today, he works as a freelance web designer and developer.
