Because so many of my friends are extreme caregivers, I really loved this NPR story about a boy who was in coma for twelve years. Turns out that he was aware the whole time.

How many of those non-verbal autistic kids have a life inside their heads? Ian can describe in shocking details events that happened years ago, when he was seemingly in his own world and unaware.

One of my best friends from high school is caring for her son, a former Harvard student, who is now in a semi-vegetative state due to severe encephalitis. I spent a day with the family last summer. I don’t have the words to describe the enormous strength of this family.