CW: Drug Overdose & Car Accident
Ian Baer’s journey began with a diagnosis delivered by professionals who believed they already understood him. After a car accident in 1986, doctors told his mother he was unresponsive, using words like “vegetative.” But Ian was still there. He laughed at jokes, reacted to familiar voices, and understood far more than anyone knew. Decades later, research confirmed that many people like Ian show varying levels of awareness.
Jennifer Flewellen’s story is similar. She spent five years in a coma. Her mother, Peggy Means, continued to visit her. In August 2022, when Peggy said something that made Jennifer laugh, she realized how important her belief in her daughter was.
Parents like Wayne and Judy Cox also know this firsthand. Judy found her son Chris lying in the driveway in 2008; he was pale and covered in purple splotches. Chris had overdosed, and doctors urged the Coxes to take him off life support. Doctors were certain he’d never recover.
While taking the prescription medication Ambien, Chris’s awareness increased, albeit only for a few hours. He was blinking on command, and his eyes were tracking familiar people. Sometimes, he could even smile, follow written commands, and vocalize.
While reading these stories, I couldn’t help but reflect on my experiences. Too often, people assume that if someone cannot walk, they cannot speak, or if they cannot speak, they are unaware of their surroundings. People make assumptions before even getting to know someone.
I had a reputation for being “the compliant student” and “the easy patient” growing up. Professionals wrote reports detailing my abilities and measuring my cognition. It felt like my existence was reduced to a few paragraphs. I sat through meetings where people talked about my strengths and weaknesses while I sat there, trying to pretend it didn’t sting.
In 2020, my physical therapist said something that changed my perspective: “Remember, you’re the expert on what you need, not me.” No one had ever framed my disability that way. He knew that I am the one living with cerebral palsy. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that until he said it.
Years later, in February 2026, during an appointment, he asked, “What would you change about your diagnosis?” It wasn’t a clinical question. It was a human one. He was curious about my experience, not just my symptoms.
Society is quick to judge. We should treat people like we want to be treated. The question isn’t just whether disabled people are aware. It’s whether we are all aware and willing to pay attention to each other.
Sources:
Engelhart, Katie. “Vegetative Patients May Be More Aware Than We Knew.” The New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/magazine/vegetative-states-conscious-aware.html.
Hartman, Steve. “Michigan Woman Set to Celebrate Her First Mother’s Day at Home since Emerging from 5-year Coma.” CBS News, 10 May 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/michigan-woman-5-year-coma-first-mothers-day-at-home-jennifer-flewellen-peggy-means/.
Interlandi, Jeneen. “A Drug That Wakes the Near Dead.” The New York Times, 1 Dec. 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/magazine/can-ambien-wake-minimally-conscious.html.
Zhang, Sarah. “The Mother Who Never Stopped Believing Her Son Was Still There.” The Atlantic, 15 May 2025, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/06/brain-injury-consciousness-science/682579/?gift=xlZ6jJ8FvPlfrh4g_uA9Vz_ww7f2-xFwtbT3JBuCZ60.