In 1984, he was involved in a car accident that left him with minimal consciousness. Many years later, he woke up one day and said, “Mom.” Then he kept talking.
Terry Wayne Wallis, who famously made headlines and became known as “The Man Who Slept for 19 Years” after spending 19 years in a coma, has passed away. After his ordeal, Wallis was given the nickname “The Man Who Slept for 19 Years” following his ordeal. He was 57.
According to the obituary published for him, Wallis passed away on March 29 at Advanced Care in Searcy, Arkansas. He passed just a few days before his 58th birthday and a month before the 19th anniversary of the day he regained consciousness. If he had lived, he would have celebrated both of these anniversaries.
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From Big Flat, Arkansas, Wallis and a friend were riding in a car when it crashed into a stream in 1984, not long after Wallis’s daughter Amber was born. The rescuers did not find the two individuals until the following day. Wallis did not make it, but his friend did not survive.
He was comatose, yet he maintained some consciousness despite being in a coma. According to NBC News, the medical professionals were nearly certain that he would never wake up from his coma.
However, over twenty years later, Wallis stunned everyone when he suddenly began speaking.
“He started with ‘Mom’ and surprised her, 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 told the Associated Press in 2003.
Wallis’ mother was in shock. “I couldn’t tell you my first thought; I just fell over on the floor,” she said.
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According to his brother Jerry, his family was pleased to have him back.
“it was pure hell to see your brother laying there, not knowing if you’ll ever talk to him again.”
However, Wallis had to be taught about current events since he was under the impression that it was still 1984.
Photo courtesy of family/Getty Images
According to his obituary, his family cared for him “relentlessly” for the 19 years he was in a coma, which the medical professionals believe was the cause of his recovery. Over many years, his loved ones took turns bringing him home on the weekends. His medical team thought the constant stimulation finally woke him from his coma.
Wallis is survived by members of his extended family, including his father, daughter, and grandkids. In 2018, his mother passed away.
Terry, may you finally rest in peace. You had a really interesting and exciting life.
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