Martin & Joanna Pistorius Share Keys to Perseverance

New York Times best-selling author, Martin Pistorius and his lovely wife, Joanna are celebrating eight years of marriage. I’ve asked them to join me and share what they’re learning on the keys to perseverance.

But first, let me back track just a little. In June 2015, I posted a review of Martin’s amazing book, Ghost Boy. How wonderful to have a story so powerful the world has asked for it in over twenty-five languages!

The following October, I conducted an interview with Martin’s wife, Joanna Pistorius. Since then, Martin and Joanna have been living out their testimonies of faith, hope, and love.

Martin is featured in multiple venues including The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, USA Today, on the Today Show, and on Fox News. I don’t think it’s just the fact his book, Ghost Boy is a New York Times bestseller.

Martin and Joanna have something special that people want to hear more about. Before we catch up with them, let me refresh your memory on Martin’s story.

Martin’s Story

At age 12, Martin lost his voice due to a mysterious illness. Within eighteen months he became a mute quadriplegic. The doctors compared Martin’s mind to that of an infant’s and stated he would die within two years.

He did not die. He became “invisible.” 

For four years, Martin was in a waking coma state in an unresponsive shell, unseeing and unknowing of his surroundings.

Then, around age sixteen, his mind slowly woke up. But, his body did not.

For ten years, his mind was completely aware—aware that he was trapped inside an unresponsive body and unable to communicate with others. Martin wasn’t paralyzed, but no matter how hard he tried, he had no control of his spastic muscles, his curled fingers, or the voice that disappeared with his childhood. Without communication, he remained unheard.

Then all that changed when a therapist noticed a glint of understanding in Martin’s face. By 2001, even though his voice never returned, Martin learned to communicate again via use of a computer.

Several years later, Martin, a native of South Africa, fell in love with a social worker in England. He and Joanna were married in 2009. In 2010, Martin started his own business as a web designer.

When Thomas Nelson published Ghost Boy in 2013, its message of perseverance and hope began circulating the world. It’s still going strong, as are Martin and Joanna, who kindly agreed to do another interview with me.

The Interview

First of all, congratulations on the celebration of your eighth wedding anniversary!  Several of my blog readers are newlyweds. Any words of wisdom you’d like to share with them?

“Thank you. As it is stated in Genesis 2:24 begin your new life as a married couple by not only physically leaving your parents, but emotionally. Establish boundaries, cling to and depend on each other. It’s important to take the time to become one with each other.

Focus on each other – if your focus is on how to serve, support and love your partner then you are more likely to meet each other’s needs. 

Continue to do the little things you did for each other when you first met. It’s also important to make time for each other, even if that is simply to sit in each other’s arms and watch a movie.   

Always be honest and open with each other – you should be able to tell each other anything.”

That’s wise advice! Providing a safe haven to talk freely and taking time to focus on one another make a huge difference.

Speaking of making a difference–most writers long to write a book that will influence the lives of others. I know Ghost Boy has changed my perspective on life.

Martin, you’re such a humble man, so I want to ask Joanna this next question.

Joanna, I’m sure you’ve heard of ways Martin’s book has influenced people’s lives. Is there one story that stands out in your mind you’d be willing to share with us?

“Martin received a message from a mother that thanked him for Ghost Boy. Her daughter had been in a vegetative state for over 20 years. Having seen Martin on TV she got the audiobook of Ghost Boy. After her daughter had listened to Martin’s book, her daughter started making attempts to communicate. Through a lot of hard work, and plenty of support, her daughter is now communicating. The transformation has been truly remarkable!”

That is amazing! What a blessing it is to hear stories like that. Communication is so important. Ghost Boy has the potential to affect people in different ways.

Not long ago, I listened to Martin’s TED talk online. He shared a powerful thought about communication:

“Communication is what makes us human, enabling us to connect on the deepest level with those around us. True communication increases understanding and creates a more caring and compassionate world.”

Martin Pistorius

Martin, it’s great that you travel and speak at so many places.

I’ve noticed you’ve taken up a different mode of transportation recently by participating in a wheelchair race! How did you prepare for the race?

“In the autumn of 2016, I discovered that there is a Wheelchair Racing squad. I spoke to the coach, Paralympian, Richard Chiassaro, about getting involved. Richard was extremely positive and supportive. He kindly provided me with the use of one of the club’s racing wheelchairs. I timidly took to the track and began training with the squad.

Not having participated in any sport before and having to learn how to push a racing wheelchair has been a challenging but enjoyable experience. Pushing the racing wheelchair is quite different from pushing a regular wheelchair. Specialised gloves are worn to protect your hands. Rather than gripping the push rims you effectively punch them.

After six months of training, my heart was pounding, I said a prayer and gave my first push off the start line. Not only was this my first race, but the first time I had taken the racing wheelchair on the open road. I completed the 10km race in a time of 44:31.”

That’s fantastic! Did you ever want to quit?

“No, the thought of quitting never entered my mind. I was determined that one way or another, I would finish. When fatigue began to set in, I kept reminding myself that with every push, I was getting closer to the finish line.

Since then, I have had the privilege to compete in my first track event at Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympics.

It’s an honour to be able to participate in wheelchair racing. It is fun and inspiring to participate alongside athletes of all abilities.

I am endlessly grateful for all of which I’ve been blessed. I thank the Lord that I have come so far that I am now able to do wheelchair racing.”

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

People all over the world experience arduous times with their jobs, their families and in their communities. They struggle physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What have you found that helps you conquer those times when doubts and fears loom? What helps you persevere through disappointments?

For me, I think that it is important to firstly acknowledge, and possibly even accept, the feelings of disappointment, sadness, despair, and fear. Give yourself time to feel the feelings. However, it’s important not to get stuck here. Then reflect on the matter, learn what you can from that experience, and then move on.

Take time to effectively count your blessings. Even in the darkest moments, there are usually things we can be grateful for. Taking a moment to appreciate them can often help you to feel better.

Prayer has always been an integral part of my life, especially in [the difficult] moments. (Matthew 21:22 and Luke 11:9-10).

Have faith, trusting the Lord that He has a plan, even if we can’t yet see it. (Matthew 6:26 and 1 Corinthians 13:12).

Martin and Joanna, thank you for sharing your time, photos, and thoughts with us for this interview. You both have an extraordinary gift of understanding the value of communication—with each other, with other people, and most importantly, with God.

You are in our prayers as you persevere in running the race set before you.

Friends, may we all be strong and courageous as we live out our faith, and communicate to the world the Reason for our hope.

You can connect with the Pistorius couple for updates via Martin’s website or on facebook.