This book represents the greatest paradox in my voracious history of reading…

Standing at a mere 150+ pages (with font size 14) and page size only like the Apley blue physical examination book, it took me at least 5 sittings and 3 renewals of the book in order to complete reading it. PHEW!

It’s written by a French journalist about his own experience of ‘locked-in syndrome’, following a brainstem stroke…

So what is this locked-in syndrome?

Also known as cerebromedullospinal disconnection, de-efferented state, pseudocoma or ventral pontine syndrome, this is a condition where the patient is aware and awake but cannot move or communicate due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body. There is quadriplegia and inability to speak without any cognitive impairment. It spares certain facial muscles, such as the occulomotor muscles which allows them the only way to communicate with others.

One very well known case is that of Parisian journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby (author of this book), who used blinking to dictate the book one letter at a time.

It’s scary to be reading a book written by a man in such unfortunate circumstances. Can feel this periodic chill of cold going down my spine. *shudders* I can’t imagine ever living in such a world, so closed up and locked in. (pardon the pun) Then again, I have to applaud Bauby for attempting to reach out to the rest of us out there through his book. Maybe they should make a movie out of it. Something like ‘El Mar Adentro’, which is the true story of a quadriplegic and his fight for ‘a good death’ for himself. (he wasn’t allowed to ‘euthanise’ himself legally, but he did it with the help of his friends eventually, it’s a really heartwrenching yet beautiful film!)