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Does our concept of death impact the way we decide live? or is death a constant companion that reminds us of life’s fragility? These thoughts may seem extreme, but for one person, they were the norm. For 28 days, Andrew Elkan was in a coma, and it is today’s remarkable conversation that inspires you to look at life in a different way and unmoor you from what you thought was reality.

In this world, where we are defined by our experiences, and those experiences in themselves are filtered through a social lens of cultural expectations. we look at the concept of death, the dilemma of the “right to die” and an extraordinary, expansive view on the universe at large.

 

About Andrew Elkan

Andrew Elkan was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, US, 1977.

Moved to California in 1984. Attended college in Santa Cruz, Ca.

Developed epilepsy as a child but didn’t have full seizures till adulthood. Around 23.

One seizure led to needing to have an induced coma to stop seizures and reduce brain swelling. After 24 hours without success, they could not bring me out of the coma. I remained in the ICU at Scripps Hospital in Encinitas for 28 days in a coma.

Once awake, I remained in the hospital for over a month in a shared room. At that time the rehabilitation started. I had to learn to walk, write and read all over again.

Once you can walk and read at a basic level. All therapy at the time stopped. There was no physical or emotional therapy provided by the hospital after that.

After a long struggle to prove my cognitive disabilities by myself. I finally met with a federal judge and between my testimony and my neurologist I got on the federal disability list.

Once on disability, several years after my coma, I was able to go to therapy again.

In the United States, it is difficult to get disability assistance, pay bills, find medical help or even a place to live if you are disabled.

With the difficulties I faced with my situation. I wanted to start a group where coma Survivors could meet others. Where knowledge and help is available to anyone. Without being a medical professional, I do my best to help find financial support, housing, medical assistance or simply being a person who understands and will listen.

Or group is the Coma Survivors. I’m working on starting a foundation too. The Coma Survivor’s Foundation. Both have pages so the community can find me on Facebook.

I believe my experience while in a coma and after to be a unique experience. To be in a coma and survive is an experience few have.

Facebook group:

Coma Survivors Group | Facebook

 

About the Global Indian Series:

My name is Rajan Nazran Chief Explorer for the Global Indian Series, the official platform for people of Indian origin (PIO), because let’s face it, we are everywhere!

For almost 15 years we have travelled across the globe covering 58 countries to date whilst exploring the kaleidoscope of our remarkable 50 shades of brown community.

Voyaging to the edges of the Amazon, facing Ebola in West Africa, being held hostage in Eastern Europe, tapping rubber in Malaysia, drinking chai with Heads of State and sharing laughter with local fishermen – I have been there, looking for us!

Our purpose is simple, to build a living encyclopaedia of the human experience of the community and a safe mooring ground for open discussions, whether you are an NRI, Indian Diaspora, person of Indian origin (PIO) or a fan of South Asian anthropology, what we do is bring people and communities together.

We do this by plunging into the human experience of being a person of Indian origin (PIO), taking a second look at the countries we now call home and tackling the conversations we need to know more about.

Through our range of award-winning original content (print, podcasts, events and TV) and fascinating discussions, our impactful stories and platforms have spearheaded national and international conversations that have brought people together.  Our work is featured in global brands including The Indian Express through to the CNBC network.

 

How to get involved:
Interested in getting involved in building the world’s largest living encyclopedia on the community? Whether you want to become a patron, buy us a chai in a new location or have your story shown, simply get in touch via our website, we would love to hear from you. www.globalindianseries.com

Social media:
You can reach Rajan via
Instagram: @rajannazran
Linkedin: RajanNazran
YouTube: Global Indian Series
Special thank you to TAIZU for the music

Episode: 87
Presenter – Rajan Nazran
Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth
Guests -  Andrew Elkan

Art Design – Vanisha Patel

Other podcasts you may like:
If you liked this podcast, you may enjoy the following:

https://globalindianseries.com/kenyanness-and-my-identity-with-vimal-shah/

https://globalindianseries.com/vijay-patel-how-to-make-it-in-britain/

https://globalindianseries.com/h-e-president-donald-ramotar/

Are you a global Indian that needs to go global?  You may be interested in our articles on citizenship by investment and global residency options, including Golden Visas. It’s a definitive guide for all global Indians to read on what you need to know and what you must avoid when looking to participate in investment migration and golden visa planning.

We produce content that inspires purpose, passion, and community. If you like what we do, please do share, like, subscribe and comment. It helps massively with online algorithms.

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Support change: A little favour to ask-We believe true freedom is to be able to act without fear or favour and that identity is not a “brand” to be abused, politicized, or reduced for personal gain. As Global Indians, the need to work together is greater now than ever before.  If we want to see real change, we need to create a better society for all, tackle injustice and plunge into the many aspects of what the human experience truly offers.The Global Indian Series has been built to be a platform of integrity, fairness and to remain fiercely independent of political influence. We are the first in the world to connect with every echelon of society with all human voices being treated equally.  We are the first to have travelled physically to locations far and wide, often putting our own lives on the line to bring forward stories that deserve to be told.  Whether it’s through our Podcast that delves into the human experience behind identity, our articles and features that cover key events we need to know, or live based events that tackle topical discussions, we have been there to support a better community and planet.Despite the high costs and time needed to maintain our work, we continue, because we know our work has helped more people understand what is happening within the communities across our planet, why it matters, and how, together, we can demand progress.  We challenge head-on, the silent divisions that have crept into our collective consciousness and how to tackle key issues that often go neglected in mainstream media.How you can help:Please share our work: By collaborating with others who share our values, our combined voices make change, with many more becoming inspired to take meaningful action.Subscribe to the platform:Many from across our community have decided to subscribe to our platform. It helps us grow which in turns attracts like-minded supporters. If you have not already, we would appreciate you subscribing to our newsletters and following our social media accounts. It is free and supports our journey.