The Man Without a Memory
Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for Spotlight. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Deborah Wearing opens the door. Her husband Clive quickly stands up. He is very happy. He laughs and opens his arms to hold her. He says that she is the first person he has seen in years. He tells her that it is as if he has just awoken from a deep sleep. But this is not true. Clive has not been sleeping for years. And it has not been a long time since he saw his wife. His wife visited him yesterday. But Clive cannot remember yesterday. In fact he cannot remember what happened 3 minutes ago.
What might a life like that be like? Today’s Spotlight is about Clive Wearing, the man without a memory.
Voice 2
It was the morning of March 27, 1985. Clive Wearing woke from sleep. His wife Deborah began talking to him. But Clive did not know what was happening. He could not remember his wife’s name. Deborah called the doctor. She was very worried. The doctor said that Clive was sick with influenza. He just needed more sleep.
Voice 1
So Clive stayed at home that day. He went to sleep and Deborah left for work. But when Deborah returned home, Clive was gone. Deborah was afraid. She knew that something was very wrong. Where had he gone? Finally, a police officer called. Clive had left their home. He was out walking the city streets. He did not know where he was, or who he was. No one knew what was wrong.
Voice 2
Clive and Deborah went to the hospital. After many tests, the doctor told them what was wrong. A common virus had damaged Clive’s brain. Clive was suffering from encephalitis. Encephalitis happens when a virus infects the brain. The brain grows larger. But it does not have room to expand in the head. It crushes against the bones of the skull. Clive’s encephalitis was caused by a common kind of herpes virus. This virus usually causes wounds on the mouth. But in Clive, the virus spread to his brain.
Voice 1
By the time doctors understood the problem, it was too late. The virus had permanently damaged the areas of Clive’s brain that control memory. Clive could no longer form new memories. He could not remember many things from his past. But he could remember his wife. He knew who Deborah was and he knew that he loved her.
Voice 2
Memory is an important part of living a normal life. Memory is important for more than just remembering past events. Memory helps us understand the things around us. Healthy people create new memories every second. Our brains store information about what we see, feel, taste, smell, and experience. By remembering these things, we know where we are, who we are and what we are doing. But Clive’s brain cannot store memories in this way.
Voice 1
Clive cannot remember anything for longer than a few seconds. He always believes that he has just woken from being unconscious. It is as if he thinks he has been sleeping for years. He always says the same things. He tells his wife:
Voice 3
“I have not heard anything, seen anything, smelled anything, felt anything, touched anything. It is like being dead. I have not been awake the whole time.”
Voice 2
It can be difficult to talk with Clive. Clive’s memory is so short that he forgets questions as he is giving the answer. But although Clive cannot remember most things, Deborah says that he does remember some things. Before becoming sick, Clive was a skilled musician and music director. He played music and also directed singers in groups. One day Deborah took Clive to the hospital church. Deborah remembers that day.
Voice 4
“I picked up some music and held it open for Clive to see. I started to sing one of the lines. He started singing the other part with me. I suddenly recognized what was happening. He could still read music. He was singing. His brain was still able to understand music. Singing was in many ways easier than talking.”
Voice 1
Clive was able to follow music and play the piano. The music moved his mind through the song. When he plays music, he seems normal again.
Voice 2
Each experience for Clive is a new one. Each face is new, even if the person has been with Clive for years. In Clive’s mind, he is always surrounded by people he does now know. He does not know where he is or how he got there. But whenever he sees his wife, he feels happy. He feels safe. Deborah is the only person he knows.
Voice 1
Clive’s memory loss has also changed Deborah. Especially at first, Clive depended completely on Deborah. She would have to answer the same questions again and again. When she was gone, he was very afraid. And she missed the relationship that they had before. In 1992, a new home opened for people with brain injuries. At the home, Clive received special care and treatment for his memory problem. He began to feel more comfortable and less afraid.
Voice 2
Clive was trying to understand his new life. But Deborah was also trying to understand her new life, without Clive. She felt lost, and alone. But she did find peace. One night, she called a friend who was a Christian. She asked for prayer.
Voice 4
“I didn’t even think I liked Christians. Yet there I was, alone in my flat and wondering why am I here? What am I doing? I love this man but I can’t live with him and I can’t live with anybody else. During the call I felt like this force was with me. I was drained and it was like life pouring into me.”
Voice 1
After that night, things improved for Deborah. She became a Christian too. Three years later, Deborah and Clive shared their marriage vows again. They promised again to love and care for each other.
Voice 2
Clive has improved a little. He does not have any memory, but he can learn some new things. He recognizes his home. He talks more with the people around him. He still plays music. But the thing that Clive understands best is his love for Deborah. And although Clive has a serious illness, Deborah still loves Clive too.
Voice 1
The writer and producer of this program was Joshua Leo. The voices you heard were from the United States. Computer users can hear our programs, read our scripts, and see our word list on our website at www.radio.english.net. This program is called “The man without a memory”.
Comments
Giovanni said on January 16, 2012
This is a true love’s story. They love each other.
Giovanni
evanhenry said on January 17, 2012
True. A real love story. Both the husband and wife love each other alot. Love makes you dependent on each other. pop art
Narath said on January 18, 2012
I love this couple because even what happened they do not give up each other so the true love is found in that time . Mr. Clive is very lucky that he has Ms. Deborah is his wife . Cambodia .
moustafa abdelmegeed said on January 18, 2012
This very beautiful story i love it ,this the real love
moustafa abdelmegeed said on January 18, 2012
This is very beautiful story i love it ,this is the real love
spoth said on January 19, 2012
Clive sometimes loses his memory but always finds love
Skender said on January 22, 2012
Deborah at first didn’t keep the promise given at church. As we know, the christian people on the marriage day make a oath to respect and love each other forever in good and bad days. So she gave up of taking care of her husband, and sent him to a new home, breaking her promise given before priest on their marriage day. Maybe she thoughts to start a new life without Clive, and it wasn’t fair. After that she changed her decision. Better late than never. Anyway this is an interesting story. Thank you very much Spotlight team and especialle thank you Liz Waid.
Skender from Albania.
georgino said on January 22, 2012
I like this story this couple gives us an example to live hard days in the marriage.
thank you spotlight team to present excellent topics
SinabrO said on April 23, 2012
This is a true love.
If I am a Deborah, I think I can’t live with him.
But they love each other. This is the most important thing in their relationship
I hope they love each other forever
Thank you spotlight for presenting this excellent topic.
SinabrO said on April 23, 2012
This is a true love.
If I am a Deborah, I think I can’t live with him, but they love each other. This is the most important thing in their relationships
I hope they love each other forever.
Thank you spotlight for presenting this excellent topic.
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