Unbelievable True Stories: Brain Damage Changes

In 2002, Jason Padgett experienced an assault by two men. The attack left him with a severe concussion. The assault also made Padgett a mathematical genius. He gained the ability to visualize geometric shapes and angles. Only a few people worldwide have this; it is called "acquired savant syndrome."Jason Padgett is the subject of 'Salesman Becomes a Mathematical Genius' in 'Unbelievable True Stories: Brain Damage Changes'.Two men assaulted Jason Padgett in 2002. The attack left him with a severe concussion. The attack also turned Padgett into a mathematical genius. He gained the ability to visualize geometric shapes and angles. This happened to only a few people globally; they call it "acquired savant syndrome."

In August 1989, a 35-year-oldJon Sarkin is the subject of 'Chiropractor Becomes an Artist' in 'Unbelievable True Stories: Brain Damage Changes'.Jon Sarkin suffered a stroke and had brain surgery removing part of his brain. After the surgery, Sarkin suddenly felt an urge to draw, something he never wanted before. Sarkin became a prolific artist. People show his work across the world.

Since suffering a stroke in 2004, Malcolm Myatt has been unable to feel sadness. The stroke damaged his frontal lobe, the brain area that controls emotions. Myatt sees constant happiness as an advantage.Malcolm Myatt is the subject of 'Man Loses the Ability to Feel Sad' in 'Unbelievable True Stories: Brain Damage Changes'.Malcolm Myatt cannot feel sadness. The stroke hit his frontal lobe, the brain region that manages emotions. Myatt sees being happy all the time as an advantage.

In 1994, a 42-year-old orthopedic surgeonTony Cicoria is the subject of 'Doctor Becomes a Pianist After Being Struck by Lightning' in 'Unbelievable True Stories: Brain Damage Changes'.Tony Cicoria spoke to his mother on a pay phone. Suddenly, lightning struck him. Weeks later, Cicoria developed a love for piano music and started teaching himself. Before the lightning strike, Cicoria felt no interest in music. Now, he spends his days composing while still working as a surgeon and a pianist.

Back in 1848, a 25-year-oldPhineas Gage is the subject of 'An Iron Rod Through the Skull Changes a Man' in 'Unbelievable True Stories: Brain Damage Changes'.Phineas Gage worked on a railroad in Vermont. An explosion shot a tamping iron straight through his head. Miraculously, Gage survived the accident. He became one of neurology's most famous brain injury cases.

The full extent of Gage's personality change is unknown. Doctors think the rod's effects were so strong that Gage's friends called him "no longer Gage."

After recovering from a serious car crash in 2005, Leanne RoweLeanne Rowe is the subject of 'Australian Woman Speaks with French Accent' in 'Unbelievable True Stories: Brain Damage Changes'.Leanne Rowe gained a new French-sounding accent after a car crash. Rowe struggles with her new voice. She has become reclusive; her daughter often speaks for her.

This rare condition is foreign accent syndrome. It was first reported in 1907.1907

After brain damage and memory loss from cardiac arrest, a 65-year-old man's identity shifted. He started taking on new forms. He became a social chameleon, constantly changing his identity to fit his surroundings. For instance, if he was with an accountant, he would act like one and create a whole career story for his new persona.

In June 2016, Lisa Alamia, a native of Rosenberg, Texas, woke up after jaw surgery with an English accent. The surgery changed Alamia's brain. This caused her to get a neurological disorder called foreign accent syndrome, which sounds exactly like that.

In 2000, a brain tumor turned a man into a pedophile.A 40-year-old schoolteacherA 40-year-old schoolteacher started viewing child pornography and soliciting prostitutes for sex after developing a brain tumor. Doctors found the tumor only after he was convicted of child molestation and complained about balance issues.

The man's uncontrollable urges vanished after removal. But the tumor regrew in 2001, and its bad interests returned.

A former rugby player becomes a gay hairdresser.Chris Birch.Birch claims a 2005 stroke changed his sexual orientation. A failed backflip broke his neck and caused the stroke. Birch changed his personality and lifestyle. He lost interest in sports, swapped his girlfriend for a boyfriend, and started working as a hairdresser.

After brain trauma from a 2008 car accident,Alissa Afonina.She gained a new personality and a stronger sex drive. The once studious, outgoing girl became detached and struggled in school.

Because of her brain injury, Afonina chose to be a professional dominatrix, using the name Sasha Mizaree.

In 2013, a...A 40-year-old woman.A woman underwent cosmetic surgery in Brazil. Restricted blood flow caused temporary brain damage. After the surgery, intrusive thoughts and the urge to steal took over.

Police caught her shoplifting. Officials notified of her temporary impairment, so she was released.

A...A 50-year-old Italian man.A brain injury turned the man into a French caricature. He had learned French in school and dated a French girl in his twenties. His injury made him only favor the French language and culture.

Now a francophile, he only speaks French. He prefers watching French films and eating French food.