Belgium man wakes up from 26 years in a misdiagnosed coma

In recent headlines, it was made public that 46 year old Rom Houben, of Brussels, Belgium “woke up” from a 23 year nightmare of being trapped in his paralysed body unable to respond but completely aware of what was going on around him.

Mr. Houben was involved in a car accident 26 years ago and up until 3 years ago he was thought to be in a vegetative state. New brain scanning technology discovered that not only was Mr. Houben’s brain functioning properly but it was almost operating normally the entire time. 


When hearing this story, a phrase comes to mind that I have heard people say in moments they don’t think people are listening, “ I feel like I am standing in a crowded room, screaming at the top of my lungs and no one can hear me.” I can only imagine that this is similar to how Mr. Houben felt for 26 years. While family and friends would talk to him thinking he was unable to understand, he was listening. He couldn’t laugh, cry, smile or even just respond to the family and friends that were with him for the past 26 years but he was listening.  Mr. Houben now communicates by using one finger to the touchscreen on his wheelchair.  He is now able to speak out after so many years of silence or as he describes it, "Powerlessness. Utter powerlessness." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/thought-to-be-in-a-23-year-coma-belgian-man-heard-everything/article1374846/


A new study was published by Dr. Steven Laureys, a neurologist at the University of Liege in Belgium, that Mr. Houben could be only one of many misdiagnosed coma cases in the world. The study states that up to 40% of cases labeled vegatative state, when examined more closely are found to have at least some brain activity. With this new finding they have found that some cases with consciousness can be treated and considerable progress is being made.