A woman from the United Arab Emirates woke up from coma nearly three decades after she sustained serious brain injury in a car accident.
In 1991, Munira Abdulla fetched her then 4-year-old son Omar from school, but on their way home, their vehicle collided with a school bus that left her with a serious brain injury.
The then 32-year-old mother protected her son during the impact, so the boy escaped with only a bruise to the head.
The injury left Abdulla in a coma and doctors thought she would never open her eyes again. In June last year, however, a miracle happened. Abdulla regained her consciousness 27 years after the accident.
Left In Vegetative State
Abdullah was taken to the hospital after the accident and then later transferred to London, where doctors declared her to be in a vegetative state. She was unresponsive but able to sense pain.
She was then returned to UAE City Al Ain and moved to several medical facilities according to insurance requirements. She remained there for years fed through a tube to keep her alive. She underwent physiotherapy so her muscles would not weaken from lack of movement.
In 2017, the Crown Prince Court, a government body in Abu Dhabi, offered a grant for Abdulla's transfer to Germany.
There, she had several surgeries to correct her severely shortened arm and leg muscles. She was given medication to improve her state, including her wakefulness.
Woke Up 27 Years After Accident
In 2018, Omar had an argument in the hospital room, which may have prompted Abdullah to stir.
"There was a misunderstanding in the hospital room and she sensed I was at risk, which caused her a shock," Omar said, adding his mother was making strange sounds, albeit doctors said everything was normal.
Three days later, Omar woke up to the sound of someone calling his name.
"It was her! She was calling my name, I was flying with joy; for years I have dreamt of this moment, and my name was the first word she said."
Abdulla has since became more responsive and now able to have some conversation.
She is now back to Abu Dhabi, where is currently undergoes physiotherapy and further rehabilitation.
