Posted on 07/09/2003 5:47:15 AM PDT by Pest
Ark. Man Wakes After 19 Years in Coma
July 9, 2003 07:56 AM EDT
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ark. - The words began tumbling out - at first just a few nouns and eventually a torrent of phrases.
Terry Wallis, who had been in a coma since a 1984 car accident, regained consciousness last month to the surprise of doctors and the delight of his family, including his mother, who heard his first word in 19 years.
"He started out with 'Mom' and surprised her and then it was 'Pepsi' and then it was 'milk.' And now it's anything he wants to say," Stone County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center social director Alesha Badgley said Tuesday.
His mother, Angilee Wallis, called her son's return to consciousness a miracle: "I couldn't tell you my first thought, I just fell over on the floor," she said.
Terry Wallis, now 39, was riding with a friend in July 1984 when their car left the road and plunged into a creek. Wallis and his friend were found the next day underneath a bridge. The friend was dead and Wallis was comatose.
Wallis' daughter, Amber, was born shortly before the accident, and the coma dragged on for almost two decades. She is now 19 and her dad has said he wants to walk again, for her. He is a quadriplegic as a result of the crash.
"It's been hard dealing with it, it's been hard realizing the man I married can't be there," said Wallis' wife, Sandi. "We all, the whole family, missed out on his company."
The silence ended June 12 when Wallis uttered his first word. He was able to talk a little more a day later and has improved ever since.
Terry's father, Jerry Wallis, said his son talks almost nonstop now, but it seems as though time stopped for him after the wreck. Terry still believes Ronald Reagan is the president.
Terry has asked to speak to his grandmother, who died several years ago, and even recited her phone number - something everyone else in the family had forgotten.
"You see, he's still back in 1984," said Jerry Wallis.
For the Wallis family, Terry's return to consciousness has been a blessing.
Perry Wallis, Terry' brother, said "just to put it bluntly, it was pure hell to see your brother laying there, not knowing if you'll ever talk to him again."
The timing of the recovery also has raised eyebrows.
"It's kind of peculiar. He wrecked on Friday the 13th and 19 years later he started talking on Friday the 13th," Jerry Wallis said.
Year: 1984
Record: 104-77
Finish: 1st Place in American League East
Playoffs: Won World Series (4-1 over SD Padres)
Manager: Sparky Anderson
All-Stars: Willie Hernandez, Chet Lemon, Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker
Award Winners: Sparky Anderson (AL Manager of the Year), Kirk Gibson (ALCS MVP), Willie Hernandez (AL Cy Young & AL MVP), Lance Parrish (Gold Glove), Alan Trammell (Gold Glove & World Series MVP), Lou Whitaker (Gold Glove)
Tigers Central MVP: Willie Hernandez
We can all dream, eh?
Monica
Maybe if no one tell him about them he can stay blissful of their existance.
Great news first thing in the A.M., best of everything to you and your loved ones. Hope you make a complete recovery and enjoy a long happy life. God bless you.
There's a joke in there somewhere, but I have too much respect for Ronald Reagan to type it. :)
If only we had all had the forsight to drive our cars of bridges back in 1984, we could all be living with the same delusion.
My thoughts as well. Talk about your brand loyalty.
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