Many couples dream of having children one day, but one couple didn’t think it was possible. Martin Pistorius was a young boy when he suffered from a mysterious disease that left him unable to talk or move for years.
The doctors told his family that he had no understanding of the world around him and was simply a vegetable.
Eventually, though, he recovered. He revealed that the entire time that he was unable to move or talk, he could understand them – he just wasn’t able to let them know. He said:
“For so many years, I was like a ghost. I could hear and see everything, but it was like I wasn’t there. I was invisible.”
Martin has a pretty normal life despite his mysterious illness.
He uses a wheelchair to get around and enjoys spending time with his wife. Although they both longed for a family, they assumed that it was impossible. But one day, Martin’s wife had a surprise for him. He explained:
“For some reason, she thought to do a pregnancy test. When the result was positive, we both didn’t believe it. Put it down to the test being old. We bought a new test, several in fact, all positive. We were both shocked and elated!!! We couldn’t believe we had been so blessed.”
The couple had to confirm the pregnancy with a doctor, but once it was confirmed, they were in seventh heaven.
It was a dream come true for both of them. Although Martin didn’t get to enjoy his own childhood, he will get to raise a child of his own. He said:
“Initially, I was truly in shock and felt completely overwhelmed — worried about so many things. Now, however, I am super excited! I still have moments of worry and concern. But really looking forward to being a father. Joanna is very excited and incredibly thankful. She sometimes still says it feels a bit unreal.”
Martin uses an electronic device to talk, so he is concerned that it may take some time for the baby to understand him.
He has a plan for that, as well. He said:
“We are also learning baby sign language, so that it will be easier and quicker for me to communicate with him.”
Martin is a little nervous about raising a child, and he wonders if the mysterious disease that affected his life so negatively could be passed on to his child. He said:
“It was terrifying at times. What really got to me was the complete and utter powerlessness. Every single aspect of your life is controlled and determined by someone else. They decided where you are, what you eat, whether you sit or lie down, in what position you lie in, everything.”
Martin tries not to dwell on the past and is committed to seeing the good in things.
He is happy to have his life back and is excited about what the future holds. He never gave up hope for living a normal life. Although he thought he might never be a father, life had other plans for him. He said:
“Life can change so quickly, too, that it is good to appreciate what you have in this moment. Treat everyone with kindness, dignity, compassion, and respect — irrespective of whether you think they understand or not. Never underestimate the power of the mind, the importance of love and faith, and never stop dreaming.”
With an attitude like this, he will definitely be a great father.
He and his wife are ready to welcome their child into the world. Although Martin may be a bit protective and nervous about parenthood, he will do great. His life has changed for the better, and he is no longer a “ghost boy.” Now, he will be a father and have a shot at living the life he has always wanted.
Watch his story below.
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