The last time Diane Franklin heard her son speak was almost 20 years ago.
In 1992, 18-year-old Simon Ellis suffered two skull fractures in a horrific car accident. While the drunk driver walked away unscathed, passenger Ellis was left quadriplegic and with brain damage.
Doctors said he'd never talk again.
This holiday season, Ellis, now 37, said "I love you." And then he wished his mother a merry Christmas.
"They told us he would die in intensive care and he hasn't been able to speak for 19 years. But now he has started. I'll never forget when he said 'I love you' to me. The tears started flowing and it was very emotional," Franklin told The Daily Mail.
"Last weekend I said 'merry' to him and he said 'Christmas.' I feel like he's definitely coming back and as a family we are bubbling over with happiness."
She added, "The doctors are amazed. They just can't believe it."
Ellis currently receives around-the-clock care at The Chantry Sue Ryder care home in Ipswich.
Doctors attribute Ellis' remarkable recent progress with the proper drainage of a shunt "carrying excess water from his brain to his stomach." With the sudden drainage, pressure was relieved on his brain, enabling the man to speak.
Laura Gill, the care home's manager, told the Mirror, "We're all absolutely thrilled. We hope his speech will continue to improve with the help of specialists. It's fantastic to see him so happy, excited and full of life."
Gill echoed the sentiments of Ellis' mother:
"It's the best Christmas present we could have hoped for."
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