In September 2023, Elias Ludmann’s life suddenly changed forever. After an operation, he fell into a coma, lay unconscious in bed for over a day and a half, and barely survived. Step by step, he fought his way back to life, made great progress in rehabilitation – and met his current girlfriend there. Today, he looks to the future with gratitude and is pursuing his goals again.
My life changed from one moment to the next. I just wanted to take a quick nap, but I didn’t wake up. I fell into a coma. This happened as a result of an operation I had undergone due to a pre-existing condition. When my mother didn’t hear from me for two days, her maternal instinct kicked in. She just sensed that something was wrong and called an ambulance. She saved my life. The paramedics found me in my bed, where I had been lying unconscious for over a day and a half. At the hospital, the doctors fought to save my life. I had multiple organ failure, and my chances of survival were only fifty per cent. It was a nightmare for my mother. But the doctors didn’t give up.
Slowly, step by step, I came back. At the branch of the Schmieder Clinics in Stuttgart Hospital, my first reaction was a soft humming sound. A few weeks later, I was able to say my first words – simple words like ‘grandma’ or ‘grandpa’. From then on, my journey back to life began. Doctors, therapists, friends and family gave me courage. Without their support, I would never have come this far. When I came to Gerlingen, a whole new chapter began for me. I had already built a new life for myself in Stuttgart and now had to start all over again. At first, I was afraid of the change, but I soon realised that there were wonderful people here too: many friendly therapists and nurses. Thanks to them, I was able to make great progress. The impairment of my right hand was particularly difficult at first. Because I had been lying on it for so long in a coma, it was severely damaged. I couldn’t open or move it. It felt as if it were lost. But through operations and therapy, mobility slowly returned. Today, I can use it almost normally again.
My rehabilitation was marked by many small steps. First the wheelchair, then the walking aid, and later the crutches. My goal now is to be able to walk freely again. Each of these steps seemed impossible at first. I remember thinking, ‘I’ll never be able to do that.’ But every time I achieved a goal, the next one came within reach. This process showed me that you should never give up.
It was particularly important for me that I met my girlfriend here. We knew each other vaguely before, but we really got to know each other at the Schmieder Gerlingen Clinics. She was just finishing her year of social volunteer service there when I started my rehabilitation. When I felt weak and helpless, she gave me support and new strength. That’s something wonderful. Without her – and without my family – I wouldn’t be where I am today. Today, I can walk with crutches, meet friends, study and look ahead. I want to successfully complete my media technology studies and one day start my own business.
I am currently undergoing rehabilitation in Gerlingen for the second time. My advice to other patients is: don’t think too much. Don’t look back or too far into the future, but take it step by step and do what you can. It’s the little things that count – every exercise, every movement brings you further. Even if it’s just getting up briefly to brush your teeth or taking the stairs instead of the lift. I know I was very lucky. I could have ended up in a nursing home, or my mother might have had to care for me for the rest of her life. But things turned out differently. I am infinitely grateful for that.
