Man wakes after 19 years in a coma - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bandito · 07-09-2003, 04:39 PM

Man wakes after 19 years in coma

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ark., July 9 — 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.

Terry’s father, Jerry Wallis, said his son talks almost nonstop now, but it seems as though time stopped for him after the wreck. He still believes Ronald Reagan is the president.

“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.

NON-STOP TALKING

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.

© 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

*Liz Bewitched Me* · 07-09-2003, 04:58 PM

I read about that last night. It was so sad it had me in tears. It reminded me of the movie "Between Darkness and the Dawn" With Elizabeth Montgomery, where she is in a coma for 20 years. and when she wakes up everything has changed. I'm glad that man came out of his coma, but what makes me so sad is he missed his daughters life.

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 07-09-2003, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bandito
“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.

Wow.. thats weird.

Im glad he finally woke up. 19 years mustve been a real torture for his family.

Hollow · 07-09-2003, 06:07 PM

cool.

Tuesday Weld · 07-09-2003, 06:13 PM

That's sad that he missed everything that went on in those 19 yrs. and what his family must have gone through.

PZelda · 07-09-2003, 06:56 PM

Whoa...

That gave me MAJOR goosebumps. Wow. I am TOTALLY speechless reading this. He missed out on EVERYTHING that has happened since 1984...I can't imagine being stuck in 1984! Wow....

Crimson and Clover · 07-09-2003, 06:58 PM

he sure has missed a lot

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 07-09-2003, 07:08 PM

Wow...and it's sad how he missed out on so much.

fr00ti · 07-09-2003, 07:10 PM

I cant imagine how it would feel to miss that much of your life.

pandora_spocks · 07-09-2003, 07:12 PM

Even though he probably missed a lot of good things in those 19 years at least he finally woke up. I can't imagine what that would feel like though.

Hershey · 07-09-2003, 07:55 PM

Even though he missed 19 years of his daughters life, he has the rest of his life to get to know her and be in her life. I think that is really awesome that he came out of that 19 year coma. Its really awesome!

bandito · 07-09-2003, 08:05 PM

I agree, imagine the thoughts going thru his head, wondering about all that time lost.

TJL · 07-09-2003, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bandito
I agree, imagine the thoughts going thru his head, wondering about all that time lost.

Hmmm. Interesting idea for a series.

I'm sure some enterprising TV producer is working on it right now.

Kay Scarpetta · 07-09-2003, 09:22 PM

I read about that this morning. I can't imagine it. Well look at the bright side; may be sad, but at least he woke up. At least he didn't pass away or lay there for the next 50 years.

Polniaczek033 · 07-09-2003, 10:29 PM

whow...he missed ALOT! i am so happy he came back though

07-09-2003, 04:39 PM	#1
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	Man wakes after 19 years in a coma Man wakes after 19 years in coma ASSOCIATED PRESS MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ark., July 9 — 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. Terry’s father, Jerry Wallis, said his son talks almost nonstop now, but it seems as though time stopped for him after the wreck. He still believes Ronald Reagan is the president. “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. NON-STOP TALKING 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. © 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
	__________________ bandito

07-09-2003, 06:13 PM	#5
Tuesday Weld I missed you all. hugs Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Having a great time. Posts: 22,285	That's sad that he missed everything that went on in those 19 yrs. and what his family must have gone through.
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07-09-2003, 06:56 PM	#6
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Whoa... That gave me MAJOR goosebumps. Wow. I am TOTALLY speechless reading this. He missed out on EVERYTHING that has happened since 1984...I can't imagine being stuck in 1984! Wow....
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07-09-2003, 06:58 PM	#7
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	he sure has missed a lot
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07-09-2003, 07:08 PM	#8
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Wow...and it's sad how he missed out on so much.
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07-09-2003, 04:58 PM	#2
Liz Bewitched Me Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 05, 2003 Posts: 335	I read about that last night. It was so sad it had me in tears. It reminded me of the movie "Between Darkness and the Dawn" With Elizabeth Montgomery, where she is in a coma for 20 years. and when she wakes up everything has changed. I'm glad that man came out of his coma, but what makes me so sad is he missed his daughters life.

07-09-2003, 06:07 PM	#4
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	cool.

07-09-2003, 07:10 PM	#9
fr00ti Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 16, 2002 Posts: 12,846	I cant imagine how it would feel to miss that much of your life.
	__________________ ...

07-09-2003, 07:12 PM	#10
pandora_spocks Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Nov 30, 2002 Posts: 21,532	Even though he probably missed a lot of good things in those 19 years at least he finally woke up. I can't imagine what that would feel like though.

07-09-2003, 07:55 PM	#11
Hershey TerpFan3 Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2002 Location: In front of the Computer Posts: 466	Even though he missed 19 years of his daughters life, he has the rest of his life to get to know her and be in her life. I think that is really awesome that he came out of that 19 year coma. Its really awesome!

07-09-2003, 08:05 PM	#12
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	I agree, imagine the thoughts going thru his head, wondering about all that time lost.

07-09-2003, 09:22 PM	#14
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	I read about that this morning. I can't imagine it. Well look at the bright side; may be sad, but at least he woke up. At least he didn't pass away or lay there for the next 50 years.
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07-09-2003, 10:29 PM	#15
Polniaczek033 believe. Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Location: edinboro. Posts: 4,634	whow...he missed ALOT! i am so happy he came back though
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