Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body (2011)

Martin opens Chapter 30, “Escaping the Cage,” with a poignant metaphor about relearning how to make his voice known: “learning to communicate is like travelling along a road only to find the bridge you need to cross the river has been washed away” (129). Martin details the challenges of escaping his cage of silence and isolation, as he progresses in his ability to use his communication devices. He also expresses his frustration with people misunderstanding him, writing, “if only they knew of the gnawing anxiety, fiery frustration, and aching sexual desire that course through my veins at times” (132). The chapter concludes with an anecdote about an unsuccessful attempt of Joan’s to help another woman with her daughter who seemed to suffer from a condition similar to Martin’s.

In Chapter 31, “The Speech,” Martin tells the story of a speech he gave in 2003 to an auditorium packed with an audience of 350 people. As his computer voice, Perfect Paul, told his story, he details the pain and agony of not being able to communicate. At the end of his speech, he receives a standing ovation, and afterwards people shower him with praise and congratulatory encouragement.