My Three Main Takeaways from Martin Pistorius TEDxKC Talk: How My Mind Came Back to Life - And No One Knew

 

Wow! This TED Talk from Martin Pistorius really put things in perspective for me. I am in awe of his perseverance and positive outlook considering all he went through. Martin was a neurotypical boy until the age of 12 when he suffered from locked-in syndrome, a neurological disorder that left him unable to move or communicate. His doctors figured that his mental capacity was that of a 3-month-old. For 13 years, he went without a voice. It was not until an aromatherapist noticed that he was able to understand and she suggested that they take him to the Centre For Augmentative And Alternative Communication at the University of Pretoria.  

My three main takeaways from this Ted Talk are:

1. Communication is a powerful tool

2. Not being heard is incredibly frustrating, isolating and lonely 

3. Do not understand one's abilities

Communication Is a Powerful Tool 

Martin stated "Whether we speak the words with our own voices, type them with our eyes, or communicate them non-verbally to someone who speaks them for us, words are our most powerful tools" (TEDxKC, August 2015, 12:45). This statement resonated with me deeply. I have never had difficulty communicating and stating what I need, want, or have had difficulty conversing with another person. I can not imagine what it must have been like to have thoughts in your head and want to communicate them someway with someone. I think it was amazing that his aromatherapist was intuitive enough to recognize his non-verbal communication as his way of communicating and understanding. It makes me think of how I need to be more mindful of those non-verbal communication cues I see (or perhaps I am not seeing, and need to pay more attention too) from my students. There are many ways we can communicate, and it is not strictly through speech. 

Not Being Heard is Frustrating, Isolating and Lonely

If individuals who have communication barriers are given an AAC device, it is amazing to see them interact with those around them. Martin states that "Communication is what makes us human, enabling us to connect on the deepest level with those around us" ( TEDxKC, August 2015, 11:54).  I take it for granted that I can speak and communicate my needs. I can not imagine how incredibly isolating it was for Martin when he was unable to communicate with his caregivers and family. At one point during his TED Talk, he mentions how he just wanted to give up, but while sitting in the car waiting for his dad a random stranger smiled at him and it changed his outlook. He felt he had no control over his life, felt alone and hopeless, but this one kind act changed his outlook. I find that incredibly inspiring. 

Do Not Underestimate One's Abilities 

My third takeaway from Martin Pistorius' TED Talk is not to underestimate one's abilities. Martin was unable to ask for help or hold a conversation even though he understood everything that was going on around him. He found ways that he was able to communicate non-verbally with people around him,  which finally enabled someone to see past the disability and see that he did understand. This reminded me of the Chris Klein TED Talk we watched during Session One. Chris said that we should see past the disability and see the ability.