A woman who suffered a brain injury was left seeing her teenage self in the 1970s.
Back in 2012, when Alison Winterburn was 51-years-old, she became confused after seeing a teenage girl staring back at her in the mirror.
The mum-of-two was so shocked by the reflection she was applying make-up or checking behind the mirror when nothing changed.
But sadly, there was no time-altering magic going on but instead the effects of a brain injury which had left the Wimslow woman confused about who and where she was, the MEN reports.
She was also left struggling with the cost of of items and the inflated prices compared to the 1970s.
She said: “I was genuinely shocked to see a middle-aged lady looking back at me and not the youngster I expected.
“For a long time I wouldn't allow my husband to buy the newspaper because I was horrified by the inflated prices. I couldn't quite comprehend the time jump between the era I thought I was living in and my twenty-first century reality. My catchphrase became: 'It's how much?!'"
It was October 2012 when Alison, now 61, fell ill unexpectedly and her family noticed she was saying words in the wrong order and not making eye contact.
After being taking to A&E by her husband Ray, Alison's symptoms were recognised as viral encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.
“I felt groggy and dizzy for weeks,” she added.
“When I returned home after spending three weeks in Manchester Royal Infirmary, the scariest thing was that my brain injury had caused extreme short and long-term memory loss.
“I truly believed it was still the 1970s. This unnerving bout of confusion lasted for several weeks. Gradually, my short-term memory improved and, with the continued support of my family, I slowly came to terms with the real middle-aged and married-with-children 'me'. I effectively had to relearn who I was.
“I had no idea where I was, even in my own home. For a long time, I didn’t recognise anywhere. I was stuck in the 1970s and I have a vague idea that it wasn’t right. Being a teacher of psychology, I was almost able to treat myself as if I was a case study. It encouraged me to get better.”
Alison was unable to drive for ten months after being discharged from hospital and her severe memory loss meant she would regularly become lost and frightened.
In a bid to overcome her health struggles, she attempted to return to the classroom and begin teaching again.
She said: “Failing to go back to work was a disappointment because you lose all your independence,” Alison continued. “I was devastated, but I eventually resigned myself to my new limitations and retired from my teaching post.
"The major problem I face even today is not knowing where I am. It’s like you’re not the same person you were before. Me and my husband went on holiday a few years ago before lockdown and I don’t remember much about it.
"However, my two now-adult sons have been encouraging and resolutely positive ever since my brain injury and I am determined to rebuild my sense of self-worth.”
