Thich Nhat Hanh Wakes Up From Coma
- By Alison Lesley --
- 07 Jan 2015 --
Thich Nhat Hanh in 2013.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s condition has significantly improved as he awoke from his 2-month-long coma and is responsive.
Many people breathed a sigh of relief as Thich Nhat Hanh’s condition continues to improve as he awoke from his coma. The renowned Buddhist monk suffered a major brain hemorrhage in November. The teacher can finally be said to no longer be comatose after nearly two months according to an update from Plum Village. He, however, is not entirely out of the woods yet. Many hurdles lay ahead, but a man of his character should be able to defeat them with ease.
Thich Nhat Hanh had been doing poorly after suffering his brain hemorrhage and was in a coma for two months. It was reported that he was capable of opening his eyes for up to two hours at a time, but showed limited responsiveness and was incapable of speech.
However, as reported by the latest update, he has made great bounds. He can now tell who people are and has been responsive. He has has even smiled when a story was shared with him by a close attendant. Thich Nhat Hanh is physically stable and his physical well-being is vastly improving. Sadly, he can still not talk. This symptom seems to indicate aphasia.
Aphasia is a neurological disorder that affects speech. It typically occurs in adults who have had strokes but can occur for other reasons. It is due to brain damage in the area of the brain that governs verbal functions. There are different types, but Thich Nhat Hanh seems to have expressive aphasia. This means that he is capable of understanding speech and knows what he wants wants to say, but is unable to express himself in words. Fortunately, it is typically responsive to therapy.
He is currently undergoing physiotherapy with an inspiring spirit. Since awaking from his coma, he is pouring himself into recovery with a determination that few can muster. He is putting all his energy into getting better, but it is a long road, one which can be rather unpredictable and bumpy. Thich Nhat Hanh may never speak again, but it is quite likely he will with his work ethic.
In these next days, we can all still keep him in our thoughts while he pushes ahead. All our hopes are with him in this trying time. His latest book, Silence: The Power of Quiet in A Noisy World, is due to be released this month to eager hands. Hopefully this great man will return to his full capacity.