We are taught from an early age that wen crossing a road, we must  “first, look to the right. Second, to the left, and only after making sure that no one is coming, can we cross!” I was in the second grade, and this topic was taught in the Environmental Studies classes. I heard, but I didn't learn!

It was on 17 September 1991 and I was 7 years old. That day I didn't remember the lesson!

“Don't cross over, there is a car coming!” someone shouted from across the street. I stopped! I waited for the car to pass and crossed! Another car was behind...

Welcome to coma!

According to the dictionary, coma is a state of unconsciousness from which one cannot be awakened. In my case, the state of unconsciousness lasted for about 5 days.

I woke up, on a stormy night, at Santa Maria Hospital and, as I was told, the first thing I said to the on-call team was that I had been hit by a car because I was going to meet my parents at the airport.

I don't know where this idea came from. It was summer, which means it was when my parents worked in the fields.

As for storms, maybe that's why today, at 36, I still respect them!

However, I remember two moments when I think I came out of this state of “profound unconsciousness”, even for a brief moment. I remember seeing my sister dressed in that pink and green rhombus jumper and the pink trousers that made up the outfit. I also vaguely remember seeing Aunt Elvira giving me a plush toy and asking me what it would be called, to which I replied “Luís”! I do not know, however, if these are just memories conditioned by the fact that I heard talking about these two moments endless times... I think I will never know!

In the days following my awakening, I remember that when I couldn't sleep, I called the helpers who gave me packages of Marie biscuits and saw the city lights, which I wasn't used to, and the planes that took off and landed in the airport.

When the proposal to write this text came up, I was sent 4 questions, to which I will answer:

Has your outlook on life changed?

- Today, if I say no, it probably won't be true. But at 7 years of age I didn't think much about it, I was upset about my broken leg and not being able to play on the playground.

Did you become more afraid of death or less?

- Maybe due to my age, maybe because I'm healthy, death doesn't scare me much. I don't really think about it much. I think about life, about what we live until death comes!

What is death for you?

- A state of unconsciousness from which one no longer wakes up, even in stormy days.

Do you believe that we live beyond physical death?

- I believe that the energy that accompanies us in life continues and in that aspect, yes, I think that we live beyond physical death. But in a metaphysical context, never religious.

 

 

The person who wrote this text asked not to be identified, since the exposure from her moment about which she barely speaks about constitutes enough exposure.

The news@FMUL team will never forget the kindness of this gesture.

Many thanks.