Locked In

Abstract

This one is near and dear to my heart, as it was my first story published in Analog. It was also inspired by one of my first patients, an executive who suffered a devastating kind stroke referred to as Locked-In Syndrome, where the brain is essentially disconnected from the rest of the body, allowing the victim to think normally while denying its victim the ability to move any part of their body, to speak even a single word.

Upcoming technologies such as brain-computer interfaces and robotic exoskeleton devices hold great promise in giving someone like this the opportunity regain control of their life, but the process of recovery is still going to be an arduous one that is likely to change anyone going through it.

Sometimes we have to give up a lot to gain a new perspective on life, and sometimes it makes us a better person. I doubt many would choose this trade off, though.