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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Author

Martin Pistorius

Martin Pistorius is a South African author, web designer, and speaker known for surviving a long period with locked-in syndrome, during which he was unable to move or communicate.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Martin Pistorius is a South African author and web designer who survived locked-in syndrome after a childhood illness. He is best known for his memoir *Ghost Boy*, which recounts years of being conscious but unable to move or speak.

Early life and illness

Pistorius was born in Johannesburg in 1975. At age 12, he became seriously ill and eventually entered a locked-in state, leaving him unable to move or communicate for years.

Communication and recovery

After regaining awareness, Pistorius learned to communicate using computer software that translated eye movements into speech. This breakthrough allowed him to study, work as a web designer, and participate more fully in daily life.

*Ghost Boy* and later life

His memoir *Ghost Boy* was published in 2011. Pistorius met Joanna in 2008 and married her in 2009. He later moved to the United Kingdom and works in technology and accessibility roles.

In short

  • Survived locked-in syndrome for years after falling ill at age 12.
  • Communicated using eye-tracking computer software.
  • Authored the memoir *Ghost Boy* (2011).
  • Lives in the UK with his wife Joanna.

Quick questions

Who is Martin Pistorius?
Martin Pistorius is a South African author and web designer known for surviving locked-in syndrome and later writing the memoir *Ghost Boy*.
How did Martin Pistorius communicate?
He communicated with computer-assisted speech systems, including software that converted his small eye movements or typed input into spoken words.
What is the Martin Pistorius book?
His best-known book is *Ghost Boy*, a memoir published in 2011 about living for years unable to move or speak and later regaining communication.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Pistorius
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, locked-in syndrome, and marriage to Joanna.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Pistorius
    Supports: Biography, memoir *Ghost Boy*, communication with assistive technology, and marriage.
  3. Martin Pistorius official site — http://www.martinpistorius.com/tmpsite/
    Supports: Personal biography, illness history, communication in 2001, meeting Joanna, and marriage.
  4. TED — https://www.ted.com/speakers/martin_pistorius
    Supports: Overview of his story, locked-in syndrome, and the book *Ghost Boy*.
  5. ABC — https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/allinthemind/ten-years-with-locked-in-syndrome/6443664
    Supports: Communication using computer software that converts eye movements to speech and description of his work.
  6. The Scotsman — https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/interview-martin-pistorius-author-1667837
    Supports: Illness, recovery, communication, relationship with Joanna, and move to the UK.