On May 4th, Althia Bryden experienced a life-altering event that would change her identity forever. The 58-year-old resident of Highbury, located in north London, was found unresponsive in her bed, her face visibly drooping on the right side. This alarming discovery led to her immediate hospitalization, where doctors diagnosed her with a stroke that had incapacitated her speech and impaired feeling on the upper right side of her body. Such a shocking diagnosis brought about a cascade of medical evaluations, leading to the identification of a rare and dangerous carotid web in her neck, which disrupts blood flow to the brain.
In August, Althia underwent surgery to remedy this condition. Although she was in a state of recovery the day following her surgery, something unexpected occurred. During a routine check for her blood pressure, Althia experienced an unanticipated revival of her speech. “Completely out of the blue, I just started speaking,” she recounted, casting astonishment not only upon herself but also upon the nursing staff. They quickly gathered around her bedside, bewildered by her sudden ability to talk after a prolonged period of silence. However, much to their surprise, they observed that Althia’s voice bore a distinct Italian accent.
The abrupt switch in her speech left both her and the medical professionals mystified. “They asked me if I had an Italian accent before my stroke and were telling me I had a strong accent,” Althia stated, highlighting her own confusion amidst the maelstrom of unfamiliar recovery. Despite having lived her whole life in Britain, with roots tracing back to Jamaica, she found herself grappling with a voice that she had never identified with. This newly acquired accent was so pronounced that Althia began using Italian phrases and expressions like “mamma mia”, “bambino,” and “si” without any cognizance of their adoption.
As the months progressed, Althia’s speech and language therapist suggested that she may be dealing with a condition termed “foreign accent syndrome.” According to the NHS, this rare condition occurs when a person’s speech suddenly takes on an accent that appears different from their original one – often as a direct result of brain damage. This diagnosis was an eye-opener for Althia, as she realized the rarity of her condition when even her healthcare providers had not encountered anyone with foreign accent syndrome throughout their careers.
Despite the miraculous aspect of surviving a stroke, Althia reported a profound sense of loss regarding her identity post-stroke. “Even my laugh is not the same… I’m not me,” she lamented, expressing discontent with how her newly articulated voice altered her self-perception. In her view, she resembled “a clown with an upside-down smile,” desiring to reclaim the person she was before her stroke. Each day, she woke up hoping to hear her original voice again, unsure if it would return.
The emotional and psychological ramifications of her condition made her feel isolated. Although she receives supportive services from the Stroke Association, including group sessions and home visits, Althia longs to connect with others who share similar experiences of foreign accent syndrome. This connection could offer solace, helping her feel less alone in her unique experience.
As she continues to navigate her new reality, Althia acknowledges the importance of reframing her perspective about foreign accent syndrome. “It made me realize having foreign accent syndrome is part of my story, and I shouldn’t be ashamed,” she concluded, embracing the chapters of her life that brought both turbulence and unexpected insights. She remains committed to finding her identity amid the ongoing struggle to understand her new self.
