Straight out of 3 Idiots: Friendship helps 8-year-old wake up after 55 days in coma

For 55 long days, an eight-year-old boy lay in silence, his family clinging to hope with every passing hour. Doctors feared the worst, but love, familiar voices and the sounds of a classroom proved stronger than despair. In a remarkable turn of events, young Liu Chuxi from central China opened his eyes after hearing heartfelt messages from his classmates.

When doctors warned his family that the chances of him regaining consciousness were extremely low. Yet, despite the grim prognosis, Liu’s mother refused to give up.

Determined to fight for her son, Liu’s mother travelled with him to multiple hospitals in search of treatment. During this period, a doctor suggested that familiar sounds or music might stimulate parts of the brain linked to memory and awareness.

Taking that advice to heart, she began playing Liu’s school wake-up music and morning exercise tunes beside his bed every day, recreating the rhythm of his normal life.

Classmates Speak From the Heart

Liu’s teacher soon joined the effort, encouraging his classmates to record video messages for their friend. The messages were simple but emotional. One boy urged Liu to wake up so they could play football together, while another classmate reminded him that exams were approaching and everyone was waiting for him to return to class.

Other students sang his favourite songs and shared classroom jokes. His mother even played recordings of maths lessons, filling the hospital room with the sounds of school.

Signs of Life and a Moment of Joy

After 45 days, Liu began responding by moving his eyelids. Days later, he smiled upon hearing his teacher’s voice. On the 55th day, he finally woke up and was able to move his left hand.

When his classmates later visited with toys and handmade cards, Liu reacted with visible excitement, trying to open his eyes wider and wave back.

A Message of Hope

Describing the moment, Liu’s mother said she finally saw “the sun behind the clouds,” calling her son’s recovery a miracle. While his journey ahead remains long, his story stands as a powerful symbol of hope for families facing similar battles.