REAL LIFE
G AUSSIE MIND
n remember
This Brisbane woman
can recall every detail
of every day of her life
writes TRUDIE McCONNOCHIEI
magine being able to clearly
remember everything that’s
ever happened to you. Well,
that’s the reality for Brisbane
woman Rebecca Sharrock.
Th e 25-year-old has HSAM, or
highly superior autobiographical
memory – a brain condition that
means her memories of what
happened decades ago are as
acute as yesterday’s events.
If you give Becky a date, she
can tell you exactly what she
did on that day, including what
she ate and how she felt.
“Th e earliest memory I knowthe date of was 23 December
1989, when I was 12 days old,”
she says. “I can remember my
mum putting me in the driver’s
seat of the car and then taking
a photograph of me.”Surprise diagnosis
Becky’s mum Janet, 52, says she
didn’t realise how remarkable
her daughter’s memory was
until she saw a60 Minutes
story about a
University of
California study
on HSAM.
She contacted
the university’s
research team,
and after
testing Becky was found to
be one of only 80 people in
the world with HSAM.
“She’s really blossomed
since fi nding out,” Janet
says. “It’s given her self-Pictures: DavidHahn/bauersyndication.com.au.‘Birthdays are
exciting because
I relive every one
I’ve ever had!’
She lovesHarry
Potterbooks and
can recite every
word by heart.esteem a big boost
because before she
always felt like there
was something
wrong with her.”
While Becky’s memory can
be helpful, it’s also a burden.
Every time she remembers an
event all her emotions flood
back as vividly as the first time.
“Itcouldbeascent,aleafon
the ground, or even the colour
of the sky that
triggers it,” Becky
explains. “I could
go from being
excited to feeling
down because
I’m reliving a
memory.”
If she remembers a childhood
injury she can still feel the pain.
She avoids watching the news
because distressing images stay
with her for life. And she recalls
every dream she’s ever had.“It makes me drowsy because
I’ve got a jumble of memories in
my mind every day,” Becky says.
“And it causes insomnia because
of memories rushing through
my mind in the darkness.”A beautiful mind
Becky also has Asperger’s and
autism, and is prone to anxiety
attacks. But while she used to be
upset by it, she has learnt to live
with her amazing mind.
On the first of every month
she remembers the good things
that happened that month in
previous years,while special
occasions help her stay positive.
“Birthdays and Christmases are
exciting because I relive every
one I’ve ever had!” she says....literally!’
everything
Becky has
memories
from just
12 days old!