I woke up with no memory — now I watch movies like it’s the first time

The 28-year-old couldn’t even remember people’s names (Picture: Kennedy News & Media) When Georgina Ann, 28, began to feel light-headed in August 2024, it sparked a terrifying health journey that would leave her unable to remember her family’s names. The office manager, from Bolton, experienced a list of symptoms, including a loss of appetite and difficulty walking. Eventually, she was rushed to hospital, where she was diagnosed with encephalitis, a serious condition that causes the brain to swell. When Georgina woke up, she’d lost much of her memory — she couldn’t recognise her family members’ faces and had to be reminded of their names. ‘When I first came out of hospital, I wouldn’t have even remembered where the bedroom or the bathroom was,’ she says. And two years on from her diagnosis, Georgina still struggles with her memory. Georgina had to move back home for her safety (Picture: Kennedy News & Media) ‘I don’t know who people are until they smile at me or say hello, and that’s when things come back to me,’ she explains. ‘It’s like when your friends ask you if you’ve seen a movie, but until you see a picture of the movie or a picture of the actor, you don’t know who they are. ‘That’s like me, but every single day of the week. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘I’ll nip into the supermarket, and I’ll see someone’s had a child, but I didn’t even know that they were pregnant.’ As well as her short term memory, the condition has affected Georgina in other ways too. She’s unable to work or drive, and she has difficulty completing everyday tasks such as getting dressed or making food. For extra support, Georgina has moved back in with her dad. Georgina plans to have cognitive therapy to get her memories back (Picture: Kennedy News & Media) ‘One night I put dinner in for my partner, who had come over, and within half an hour I’d forgotten that I’d done that and ordered a takeaway instead,’ she explains. ‘I left the oven on and nearly burnt the house down. ‘I can’t shut the fridge properly, I can’t turn the dryer on, my clothes are always on inside-out or back to front. ‘One time I’d gone to make myself a brew, and instead of putting milk in my coffee I’d put cordial in.’ However, Georgina says she looks for the silver lining where she can, and one ‘positive’ is that she’s been re-watching her favourite movies with fresh eyes. She explains: ‘The Grinch was always my favourite film when I was a little girl. Georgina describes her experience as ‘hitting rock bottom.’ (Picture: Kennedy News & Media) ‘Before my mother passed away, she bought me the pyjamas so I could enjoy it, so being able to watch that, as if I was a little girl, was magical. ‘It brought back a lot of memories from being young. ‘It’s like being a seven-year-old girl again, which is quite a nice thing. ‘Harry Potter wasn’t my cup of tea before this; I hated it, yet being able to start from scratch has been amazing. ‘I’ve been able to watch those films back like it was the first time.’ Georgina will start cognitive rehabilitation therapy in October, which she hopes will bring some of her memories back. In the meantime, she wants to raise awareness of encephalitis and is encouraging other people who experience symptoms to seek medical advice immediately. ‘Make sure that no matter what, you have an emergency contact with a red star in your mobile phone. ‘If you experience similar symptoms to the ones that I did, then just ring 999. ‘It doesn’t matter even if you think you’ve got a cough or a tickly throat, just call.’ What is encephalitis? Encephalitis is a serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed. It can be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment in hospital. It usually begins with flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature and headache. More serious symptoms, such as seizures, difficulty speaking, and loss of consciousness, usually develop over hours, days or weeks. Treatment includes antiviral medications and steroid injections. Many people never make a full recovery and are left with long-term problems caused by damage to their brain. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Deals of the Day I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale Arrow MORE: I spent years struggling with my identity as a Queer Palestinian Arrow MORE: I’m considering freezing my 5-year-old’s eggs after she started puberty at 10 months Arrow MORE: I told my date I had feelings for him – his response left me devastated The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.