Nanjing Morning Post, January 11, 2019

　　More than a year ago, Xiao He, a post‑90s subway driver, was involved in a car accident that left him with severe traumatic brain injury. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, he remained in a coma and was in a vegetative state. Remarkably, after 13 months of unconsciousness, Xiao He regained consciousness, and following several months of rehabilitation, he has even regained the ability to care for himself. According to doctors, patients in a vegetative state who remain unconscious for more than six months are generally considered unlikely to recover; Xiao He, therefore, has truly defied the odds and created a medical miracle.

　　Xiao He was a subway driver in Nanjing. On June 8, 2017, he was involved in a car accident that left him with severe traumatic brain injury. Over the course of several months, he underwent five major surgeries but remained in a persistent coma. When his family transferred him to the Rehabilitation Center at Nanjing Zijin Hospital, he had already been clinically diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. Throughout his long period of unconsciousness, his family never gave up on treatment. His pregnant wife gave birth safely in December 2017, and they named their baby “Liu Liu,” meaning “to keep Dad.” In July 2018, seven months after the baby’s birth, thanks to his family’s devoted care and constant calls, Xiao He finally regained consciousness.

　　“The first thing I did when I woke up was to see my family and friends by my bedside; in that moment, I felt like I had been reborn!” Xiao He said.

　　“The child woke up and called out ‘Dad,’ which thrilled me so much that I shouted, ‘***, come quick!’ *** Mom rushed over, and the child called out ‘Mom’ again—both of us burst into tears right then. After waiting 13 months, we finally saw this day!” Xiao He’s father recounted.

　　For Xiao He, regaining consciousness is only the first step; the real challenge lies in his rehabilitation. Prolonged bed rest has led to muscle atrophy and other complications, so recovery must proceed gradually, one stage at a time. “We started with upper‑limb rehabilitation, and little by little, he was able to take his first bite of food on his own and even brush his teeth by himself,” said Gao Jirong, associate chief physician at Nanjing Zijin Hospital.

　　After a period of upper‑limb rehabilitation, the therapists began assisting Xiao He with lower‑limb training to strengthen his gait. “Xiao He has worked incredibly hard. At first, he couldn’t even stand steadily; the slightest push would send him toppling over. But he never lost heart, repeatedly getting back up after each setback and gradually mastering the skill. Soon he was able to stand, then take his first steps in rehabilitation, and after further training, he could manage to walk short distances,” Gao Jirong explained.

　　With the assistance of medical staff and after a month of relentless rehabilitation, Xiao He is now able to sit up; two months later, he can stand, and his speech and swallowing functions have gradually improved. By five months, he was able to walk independently and has since achieved basic self-care. According to Gao Jirong, at their facility, early rehabilitation intervention combined with a scientifically designed arousal program has yielded an awakening rate of 70% among patients in a vegetative state, with most regaining consciousness within about six months. However, cases like Xiao He’s—patients who remain unconscious for more than a year yet wake up—are still relatively rare. And for him to complete his rehabilitation goals and achieve independent living within just a few months is nothing short of a miracle.

　　At present, after achieving his initial rehabilitation goals, Xiao He has been discharged and returned home. “For my baby, I want to be a strong father. As long as I don’t give up, I believe I can recover even better in the future and strive to reintegrate into society as soon as possible,” Xiao He said.

　　Intern Xi Tong, Nanjing Morning Post/Love Nanjing reporter Qian Ming