Georgina Ann, a 28-year-old office manager from Bolton, lost much of her memory after being diagnosed with encephalitis in August 2024. The condition, which causes the brain to swell, left her unable to recognise her family members' faces or remember their names.
Georgina first began to feel light-headed in August 2024, followed by symptoms including a loss of appetite and difficulty walking. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors diagnosed encephalitis, a serious condition requiring urgent treatment.
Life after memory loss
When Georgina woke up, she had lost much of her memory. 'When I first came out of hospital, I wouldn't have even remembered where the bedroom or the bathroom was,' she says. Two years on, she still struggles with her memory. '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.
The condition has also affected her ability to work, drive, and complete everyday tasks such as getting dressed or making food. For support, Georgina has moved back in with her dad. She recalls one incident: '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. I left the oven on and nearly burnt the house down.'
A silver lining in film
Despite the challenges, Georgina finds a 'positive' in rewatching her favourite movies with fresh eyes. 'The Grinch was always my favourite film when I was a little girl. 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,' she says. She now also enjoys Harry Potter films, which she previously hated, watching them 'like it was the first time.'
Georgina will start cognitive rehabilitation therapy in October, which she hopes will bring back some of her memories. In the meantime, she wants to raise awareness of encephalitis and urges others with similar 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,' she advises.
