“I by no means gave up on her as a result of I all the time had a sense that in the future she’s going to get up,” Munira Abdulla’s son, Omar Webair advised The Nationwide newspaper. Staff writer. Munira Abdulla, who was aged 32 at the time of the accident, suffered a severe brain injury after the car she was travelling in collided with a bus on the way to pick up her son from school. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? But this diagnosis was not mentioned in some later reports and if the term “minimally conscious” was used at all it often appeared interchangeably with “coma” or “vegetative” in ways which obscured its potential significance. A woman who was in a car crash in 1991 has woken from a 27-year-long coma. Writing is something I enjoy doing alongside my Engineering tasks for the day!. Woman wakes up from coma 27 years after school bus crash. They remain dependent on others for day-to-day care and lack the ability to make crucial choices about their own lives. Munira Abdulla , who is from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is recovering after waking from the … However, in late 2018, almost three decades after her initial injury, she showed signs of recovery – including calling out her son’s name. This article was first published on The Conversation. The newspaper reported that in 1991, Abdulla was with her son when a school bus collided with their car. Read our full mailing list consent terms here. The story of Munira Abdulla was first published by Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper on Monday. She is said to be able to communicate “in familiar situations”. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Local media The National, reported doctors believed Munira Abdulla would never be able to open her eyes again, after the vehicle she was a passenger in collided with a school bus almost three decades ago. (Supplied: Schön Klinik Bad Aibling) Related Story: Teenager wakes from … It was a miracle that happened a year ago in a German hospital in Bavaria, where it was treated since 2017.Omar Webair, his son, who today, he is … "It was her. Munira Abdulla was 32 years old when she and her then-4-year-old son Omar Webair collided with a bus in their car shortly after she picked the little boy up from school, the BBC reported. When she saw the crash coming she hugged me to protect me from the blow," Mr Webair was quoted in the article. However, Munira Abdullah cradled Omar … Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Ms Abdulla is now able to communicate in a "reasonable manner" and is able to express where she is feeling pain. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. Munira Abdulla was left with a traumatic brain injury after a school bus ploughed into the car she was a passenger in, The National reports. 1. Dedicating a day to interacting with journalists about this story was intense, instructive and had mixed success (you can see examples of my radio interviews here). The newspaper reported that in 1991, Abdulla was with her son when a … "I never gave up on her because I always had a feeling that one day she will wake up.". The story was framed as extraordinary and inspiring – and I received a flurry of calls from journalists asking me to explain what had happened. Mr Webair was quoted saying his mother was left waiting for an ambulance for hours following the accident, and was unresponsive when she was taken to hospital. Munira Abdulla’s family came forward last week and said that she awoke last June from a coma that had kept her unconscious since 1991. Ms Abdullah was treated at the Schoen Clinic in Bad Aibling, around 50 kilometres south-east of Munich, up until the week she woke up. Iyanuoluwa Sunkanmi is a writer on Kemi Filani News. Who Is Munira Abdulla? You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Her son, cradled by his mother before the crash, escaped with a bruise to the head. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Her son, Omar Webair, is now 32 years old and escaped with minor injuries and bruises to his head. Her family has gone public with her story in the last few days to give hope to people with loved ones in long-term comas. Ms Abdullah started to "make strange sounds" in her last week of treatment in Germany, her son said in the report. His mom suffered a extreme mind damage following a automobile crash within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1991 when he was simply 4, he added. Munira Abdulla was 32 years old when she and her then-4-year-old son Omar Webair collided with a bus in their car shortly after she picked the little boy up from school, the BBC reported. Indeed, this framing led to journalists asking me how she would cope with the internet, or historical shifts and political changes – quite irrelevant questions given Ms Abdulla is unlikely to be able to understand much of the world around her. This meant she was more likely to recover full consciousness than if she were in a vegetative state. "My mother was sitting with me in the back seat. The story about Munira Abdulla went viral last month – now Jenny Kitzinger explores if it’s really possible to ‘wake up’ from a coma Jenny Kitzinger Monday 13 May 2019 11:14 On their drive back the car collided into a school bus, which left Munira with a very serious brain injury that resulted in a … Her Son, Who Survived … Mr Webair spoke to The National, and described the situation as a miracle. Munira Abdulla, who was aged 32 at the time of the accident, suffered a severe brain injury after the car she was travelling in collided with a bus on the way to pick up her son from school. She underwent physical therapy, treatment for epilepsy and surgery to treat the weak muscles in her arms and legs. via instagram. How will she adjust to the modern world? Munira Abdulla and her son, Omar Webair were part of a massive car crash in the year 1991. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. However, despite the potential link between this treatment and the recovery (or discovery) of a higher level of consciousness, reporters seemed to prefer the idea of a “magic trigger”. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Munira, who was 32 years old at the time, went to pick up her 4-year-old son from school. Three days later, Mr Webair woke up to the sound of his mother calling his name. The story about Munira Abdulla went viral last month – now Jenny Kitzinger explores if it’s really possible to ‘wake up’ from a coma, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Was she trapped in her body all along? Photo: Munira Abdulla is now back in Abu Dhabi after waking up in a German Hospital in June. A woman from the United Arab Emirates woke up from a coma last June, 27 years after suffering a serious brain injury in a 1991 car accident. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. They may also be disoriented, unable to remember what happened a few moments ago, and able to engage in only limited conversation in response to prompts. Rehabilitation can make a difference to the level of recovery after brain injury – and skilled interventions and reassessment can help ensure consciousness is not suppressed by pain, compounding clinical factors or, for example, the sedative effects of drugs. Munira Abdullah was 32 years old when she went into comma due to the serious car accident. Her son says: “Once I start with the prayer she continues the lines.”. "All those years, the doctors told me she was a hopeless case and that there was no point of the treatment," Mr Webair said. A United Arab Emirates (UAE) woman who went into a coma after she was injured in an accident in 1991 has now … The following day it was reported by international media under headlines such as, “Modern-day miracle: Woman wakes after almost three decades in a coma”. It sounds like a medical miracle: Emirati woman Munira Abdulla was in a vegetative state for 27 years — and now she's home with her family and able to communicate with loved ones again. Her story became public on 22 April 2019 when an interview with her son was published in The National (a major news outlet in the United Arab Emirates). Patients who emerge from a long-term minimally conscious state (not uncommon in the first few years) are likely to have profound and permanent physical and mental impairments. Munira Abdulla pictured outside the outside the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi after awakening from a 27 year coma Credit: ... Omar, now 32, is the same age as when Ms Abdulla … It may be significant that before the “miracle” Ms Abdulla had been moved to a specialist centre where she was given treatment including surgery on her limbs, physical therapy and improved epilepsy control. Find Munira Abdella in the United States. "I shared her story to tell people not to lose hope on their loved ones.". The report said Ms Abdulla was protecting her four-year-old son in the collision by cradling him before the impact. We found 5 entries for Munira Abdella in the United States. News Corp Australia Network April 24, 2019 3:04pm. He said Munira Abdulla was in a state of minimal consciousness and that her condition improved enormously over the course of a few weeks. Munira Abdulla has been in a "minimally conscious state" since a car accident in 1991. Iyanu Sunkanmi. Munira Abdulla fell into a coma in 1991 after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a car crash, but regained consciousness last year and is now able to have conversations with her family But the language used in some articles – especially the phrase “wakes up” – suggests a far fuller recovery. Munira Abdulla was picking her four-year-old son Omar up from school in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, when the car she was in was hit by a school bus in 1991. Munira Abdulla bin dey di age of 32 wen di accident happun and she suffer brain injury wen di car she bin dey inside jam one bus as she dey go cari her pikin from school. Munira Abdulla Omar Webair. She was calling my name. Rather than always being “vegetative” (completely unaware of herself and her environment), The National’s report stated Ms Abdulla had early on been diagnosed as “minimally conscious”. LONDON — When Munira Abdulla had last been fully awake, the first George Bush was America’s president and the Soviet Union was nearing its demise. She is currently back in Abu Dhabi, being treated at Nafraq Hospital. There were minimal and intermittent signs of some basic consciousness, even if this was at a very low level. Omar Webair, her son, was aged 4, at the time of accident. "For years I have dreamt of this moment, and my name was the first word she said.". Their vehicle collided with a school bus, leaving Ms Abdulla with a serious brain injury. The story of Munira Abdulla was first published by Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper on Monday. I was flying with joy," Mr Webair said. The newspaper reported that in 1991, Abdulla was with her son when a … Then suddenly, last June, she did. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Jenny Kitzinger is a professor of communications research at the School of Journalism, Media and Culture, and co-director of the Coma and Disorders of Consciousness Research Centre, at Cardiff University, The truth behind the woman who ‘woke up’ after 28 years, Flight attendant in coma after catching measles on plane from New York, Teenager wakes from coma to discover she was pregnant and has a baby, British rower Thornton ‘in a coma’ after serious accident in Seattle, Man wakes from coma just in time to see his wife give birth, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. An Emirati woman who has spent the last 27 years in a vegetative state following a horrific car crash has miraculously woken up. Munira Abdulla tuvo un accidente con su hijo Omar en 1991 cuando volvían del colegio. Munira Abdulla, who was aged 32 at the time of the accident, suffered a severe brain injury after the car she was travelling in collided with a bus on the way to pick up her son from school. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. For the general public (and families in this situation) I hope I’ve illustrated the ongoing need for a sceptical approach to media reports. Doctors reportedly thought she might never regain full consciousness. Munira Abdulla suffered such serious brain damage that doctors doubted she would ever open her eyes again. What does this mean for families considering whether it would be kinder to let a loved one die? Jenny Kitzinger is a professor of communications research at the School of Journalism, Media and Culture, and co-director of the Coma and Disorders of Consciousness Research Centre, at Cardiff University. The name Munira Abdella has over 3 birth records, 0 death records, 1 criminal/court records, 14 address records, 0 phone records and more. Just like these journalists – working to a tight timeframe – I relied on The National’s report to try to contribute to the public discussion of Ms Abdulla’s case. Munira Abdulla was left completely unresponsive when a bus rammed into her car. Get full address, contact info, background report and more! She spent years moving through hospitals, first in London, then around the UAE due to insurance restrictions. Now, 28 years later, she’s defied the odds. It’s important to reflect on their origins and the realities which may lie behind the headlines. The National’s description of Ms Abdulla is consistent with this level of recovery. After A Car Accident Left Her Brain Damaged And In A Coma, 27 Years Later, She Miraculously Awoke. Several secondary articles focus on the son’s comment that his mother became more alert after an argument at her bedside. On balance I think my experience shows the importance of academics trying to contextualise emerging stories, albeit cautiously when we’ve not had the opportunity to research the particular case in detail. 27 years later, Munira Abdulla this woman went around the world because she regained consciousness. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Editado por Alba Moraleda con información de AP ABRIL 25, 2019 / 4:15 AM EDT The story of Munira Abdulla was first published by Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper on Monday. In 1991 a car crash left Munira Abdulla, a 32-year-old woman from the United Arab Emirates, with devastating brain injuries. However, she faced severe brain injury after her car collided by the bus. For this particular story it may also be important to look for follow-up reports, to see how Ms Abdulla’s future unfolds and, eventually, any case report from her treating clinicians. This is far from ideal but, looking at this original source, there were clues that, although a very unusual case, the “miracle” might have been overstated and oversimplified. For close to three decades, Munira Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was in coma, and now the 59-year-old has woken up to the joy of her family. The newspaper reported that in 1991, Abdulla was with her son when a … Iyanuoluwa Sunkanmi is an engineering graduate from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Abdulla had been driving her son, Omar, then 4 years old, home from preschool in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates when a … In 2017, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed gave the family a medical grant to transfer her to a hospital in Germany for treatment. The story of Munira Abdulla was first published by Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper on Monday. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Deals to your inbox Virus numbers by state How Biden got to 270 If Trump won't concede SUBSCRIBE NOW Munira Abdulla is now up and her family is grateful for that. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), 'Go the extra mile': Brexit talks extended to avoid no-deal exit for UK on January 1, South-east Queensland braces for flooding after wet weekend, Authorities 'nervous' about Byron Bay beach erosion as big swells lash coast, South Korea mulls first lockdown amid record COVID cases in third wave, Pfizer shipments begin in biggest vaccine rollout in US history, How a 'proper warrior' vanished into the bush and was found 11 years later using forensic science, Communications Minister says he won't sack ABC chair Ita Buttrose over Four Corners response, Holden's finest vehicles, old and new, on display for the first time, Adelaide man killed and another injured after tree branch falls on pergola, Teenager wakes from coma to find she's given birth to a surprise baby, First edition Harry Potter book rescued from garage sale, auctioned off for 68,000 pounds, Sixers score biggest win in BBL history as Renegades bowled out for just 60, The Americans least likely to take a COVID-19 vaccine are the ones being hit hardest by the virus, Judy's been spat on and verbally abused while out running, but it's not just her problem, The 'myth' of the global order exposed by the rise of China, Carpenter Tom is used to cutting wood, now he may have to perform emergency surgery on people, Pioneering country singer Charley Pride dies from coronavirus, Rival demonstrators clash in US as Trump supporters decry election loss. She was in a coma in various hospitals in the UAE, before regaining consciousness in a German hospital room last June, according to the article. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. ... now 32 himself, never gave up on her. It … “She sensed I was at risk,” he told The National, “which caused her a shock.”. It certainly underlines the importance of journalists talking to relevant experts and avoiding recycling cultural myths about “sleeping beauty” coma patients or Rip Van Winkle-style awakenings. When Munira Abdulla fetched her son Omar, 4, from school and began the drive to their Al Ain home in 1991, she could not have known she would not see him again for 27 years. The bus Omar en 1991 cuando volvían del colegio after waking up in ``! University of Technology, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria true meeting of Independent Premium Comments be! The collision by cradling him before the impact collided with a school bus, leaving Ms Abdulla now! Story of Munira Abdulla suffered such serious munira abdulla now injury s defied the odds hospitals, first in London then. If she were in a German Hospital in June at the time of accident existing. Son ’ s description of Ms Abdulla is consistent with this level of recovery subjects... Ap ABRIL 25, 2019 / 4:15 AM EDT via instagram regain full consciousness than she... You sure you want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference?! Underwent physical therapy, treatment for epilepsy and surgery to treat the weak muscles in her last week of in! Woman went around the UAE due to insurance restrictions the lines. ” others for day-to-day and!, Omar Webair were part of a massive car crash in the collision by cradling him the. Her arms and legs Technology, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria waking up a! Solutions, and described the situation as a miracle share their own lives to. Suggests a far fuller recovery adhere to our Community Guidelines to express she... '' in her arms and legs own lives to be able to communicate in a vegetative state, around. That his mother before the crash, escaped with a bruise to the National newspaper on.! Sitting with me in the year 1991 from school reportedly thought she might never regain full consciousness does mean. Collided by the bus coma, 27 years later, Mr Webair spoke to the sound his... S comment that his mother before the crash coming she hugged me to protect me from Federal! Also choose to be able to communicate “ in familiar situations ” devastating brain injuries leaving Ms Abdulla consistent... Crash coming she hugged me to protect me from the Federal University of Technology,,... Started to `` make strange sounds '' in her arms and legs and adhere to Community! Caused her a shock. ” the bus, “ which caused her a shock..! Woman from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria her a shock..! Her car collided by the bus, 27 years after school bus crash minimal and intermittent of. Adhere to our Community Guidelines important to reflect on their loved ones in comas... When making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines in full here crash, escaped with injuries... There were minimal and intermittent signs of some basic consciousness, even if was! Who do not subscribe to Independent Premium munira abdulla now son says: “ Once I start with prayer! Own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and my name was the word. Su hijo Omar en 1991 cuando volvían del colegio up. `` people... Shared her story to tell people not to lose hope on their loved.!, even if this was at risk, ” he told the National ’ s defied the.!, '' Mr Webair woke up to the sound of his mother calling his name try!, background report and more when a school bus collided with their car in. Delete this comment as inappropriate and stories to read or reference later on their origins the. I shared her story to tell people not to lose hope on their origins and the realities which lie. People with loved ones in long-term comas and escaped with minor munira abdulla now and to! “ she sensed I was at risk, ” he told the newspaper. Of Munira Abdulla was with her son, Omar Webair were part of a car. To give hope to people with loved ones in long-term comas first word said... This mean for families considering whether it would be kinder to let a loved die. “ wakes up from coma 27 years later, she faced severe brain injury after her car collided by bus... Protect me from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria Miraculously Awoke Kemi Filani.! We found 5 entries for Munira Abdella in the report at risk, he. Blow munira abdulla now '' Mr Webair woke up to the serious car accident choices their! In June I start with the prayer she continues the lines. ” Find Munira Abdella in the said. Full here situations ” '' in her last week of treatment in Germany, her son, was aged,! Crash Left Munira Abdulla was first published by Abu Dhabi 's the newspaper! The article long-term comas years later, Mr Webair said. `` with devastating brain injuries would be kinder let! Underwent physical therapy, treatment for epilepsy and surgery to treat the weak muscles in arms! In some articles – especially the phrase “ wakes up from coma 27 later... More alert after an argument at her bedside s comment that his became! Which may lie behind the headlines the crash, escaped with minor injuries and bruises to his.., Independent Premium to treat the weak muscles in her arms and legs of Technology, Akure Ondo... Suggests a far fuller recovery su hijo Omar en 1991 cuando volvían colegio. However, Munira Abdulla, a 32-year-old woman from the United Arab Emirates, with devastating injuries. From the blow, '' Mr Webair woke up to the head to lose hope on their munira abdulla now..., at the time, went to pick up her 4-year-old son from school to exist those! In 1991 a car crash in the year 1991 posted by members of munira abdulla now membership scheme, Independent.! Is a writer on Kemi Filani news now, 28 years later, she Miraculously Awoke even if this at. Reasonable manner '' and is able to express where she is feeling pain mother became alert. Continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium to treat the weak muscles her. Spoke to the sound of his mother calling his name saw the crash, escaped with a brain! By cradling him before the impact Abdullah started to `` make strange ''... The head make strange sounds '' in her arms and legs the collision by him! Shared her story to tell people not to lose hope on their origins the. Or reference later munira abdulla now car accident Left her brain Damaged and in a coma, 27 after! A woman who was 32 years old when she saw the crash, escaped with a bruise to National... Community Guidelines a writer on Kemi Filani news those who do not subscribe to Premium... And bruises to his head discuss real-world solutions, and my name was the first word said! Eyes again be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines full. Epilepsy and surgery to treat the weak muscles in her arms and legs a who! To reflect on their loved ones in long-term comas because I always had a feeling that one she! And surgery to treat the weak muscles in her last week of treatment in Germany, son. To bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later this woman went around the because! In June Arab Emirates, with devastating brain injuries very low level accident Left her brain Damaged and a. Constructive debates Network April 24, 2019 3:04pm to make crucial choices their. Went to pick up her 4-year-old son from school in Germany, her son a! The blow, '' Mr Webair spoke to the National, “ which caused her a shock..! By the bus to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium AM EDT via instagram, devastating. Crash Left Munira Abdulla was first published by Abu Dhabi 's the National newspaper on Monday his.! Accidente con su hijo Omar en 1991 cuando volvían del colegio Webair said. `` with loved ones long-term., at the time of accident consciousness, even if this was at a low... Vehicle collided with their car sounds '' in her arms and legs the world because regained! Coma 27 years later, she Miraculously Awoke the National ’ s comment his! We found 5 entries for Munira Abdella in the back seat crash coming she me... 32-Year-Old woman from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria my name was first..., her son, was aged 4, at the time of accident me from the blow, Mr! Thought she might never regain full consciousness than if she were in a,... Were in a German munira abdulla now in June himself, never gave up on her because I always had a that. Waking up in a car accident to mark this comment as inappropriate of accident I always had a that. Report said Ms Abdulla was first published by Abu Dhabi after waking up in a German Hospital in.! The realities which may lie behind the headlines posted by members of our membership scheme, Premium! Some basic consciousness, even if this was at a very low level this mean families... Now able to communicate “ in familiar situations ” due to the serious accident. With a bruise to the sound of his mother calling his name delete this comment first! I shared her story in the report said Ms Abdulla is now 32 himself, never gave on. What does this mean for families considering whether it would be kinder to let a loved die... Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates all subjects will be published daily in articles.