Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, has emerged from a weeks long coma after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage last November, according to a Jan. 3 statement released by his monastery.
“He has gradually emerged into wakefulness, and has his eyes open for much of the day, to the point where the doctors can now say that he is no longer in a coma.”
The 88-year-old spiritual leader was taken ill Nov. 1 and moved from his Plum Village monastery to a hospital in Bordeaux, France. The stroke occurred Nov. 11th while he was in the hospital.
He is now is able to recognize familiar faces and is “very responsive to verbal stimuli and has brought everyone great joy by starting to smile in the last few days.” Doctors said he is still not able to speak.
He is able to enjoy being comfortable and at ease and is “investing great effort in his physiotherapy sessions,” according to the statement. “He is making daily progress, and the attendants are learning from his mind of determination, as they witness him practicing the exercises from time to time throughout the day.”
Plans are under say for him to be transferred to a specialist stroke rehabilitation clinic soon, according to the report.
