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4532
qualitative
journal
Ring, Kenneth and Cooper, Sharon, "Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences in the Blind: A Study of Apparent Eyeless Vision," Journal of Near-Death Studies 16(2) (Winter 1997): 101-147, Vicki Umipeg, Case 5
Journal of Near-Death Studies Vol. 16 No. 2 pp. 101-147, 1997
1973
1997
22
F
In early 1973, Vicki Umipeg, then 22 and working as an occasional nightclub singer in Seattle, suffered severe injuries in an automobile accident. After being unable to get a taxi, she accepted a ride from two intoxicated patrons. The resulting crash threw her from the van, causing life-threatening injuries including skull fracture, concussion, and damage to her neck, back, and leg. Recovery took a full year before she could stand upright without fainting.
At Harborview Hospital's emergency room, Vicki found herself floating at the ceiling, watching a male doctor and female medical professional working on her body below. She could overhear their conversation about fears that eardrum damage might make her deaf as well as blind. She recognized her body by her distinctive wedding ring and thin build, though initially she didn't realize it was her own body. She tried desperately but unsuccessfully to communicate that she was fine. Vicki then ascended through the hospital ceilings until above the roof, where she had a brief panoramic view of her surroundings. She felt exhilarated by her freedom of movement and began hearing sublimely beautiful music like wind chimes. She was then pulled head-first into a dark tube, moving toward light, eventually "rolling out" onto grass in a place of tremendous light that conveyed love. She encountered five deceased people she had known: two blind schoolmates Debby and Diane (who had died at ages 11 and 6, but appeared healthy, beautiful and "in their prime"), her childhood caretakers Mr. and Mrs. Zilk, and her grandmother who had died two years earlier. Vicki experienced total knowledge and understanding of everything - languages, calculus, planetary formation - despite having no education in these areas. She then encountered a figure of far greater radiance whom she recognized as Jesus (from her previous NDE). He told her telepathically that she couldn't stay, needed to return to learn and teach about loving and forgiving, and to have children. After watching a complete panoramic life review with gentle commentary from Jesus about the significance of her actions, she heard "You have to leave now" and experienced a sickening thud, finding herself back in her painful body.
5
Hospital
10
25
45
Moderate Evidence
10
Life-threatening injuries including skull fracture, concussion, spinal damage requiring year-long recovery
Blind from birth yet able to see medical team, recognize body by wedding ring, describe deceased friends as "in their prime", panoramic view from above hospital
written_account
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Complete blindness from birth, no light perception
7/23/2025
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