Extraordinary People investigates the story of Sarah Scantlin, who was injured in a car accident in 1984 and awoke from a coma twenty years later. She was able to speak and think clearly, and revealed that she had been fully aware of what was going on around her during the time of her coma, but had been unable to express herself or move. The story continues as she tries to overcome the physical deterioration in her muscles and body, determined to live as full and normal of a life as possible.