A grandmother from London has left her family stunned after adopting an Italian accent as a result of recovering from a severe stroke. Althia Bryden, 58, says the sudden change in her speech has made her feel like she’s “performing as someone else.”
The stroke, which occurred in May, initially left Bryden unable to move one side of her body or speak at all. After months of rehabilitation, her voice returned, but with a surprising Italian inflection, leading to her use of phrases like “Mamma Mia.”
Medical professionals suspect Bryden is experiencing foreign accent syndrome, a neurological condition that can emerge following brain trauma. The syndrome is extremely rare and changes how speech is processed and delivered.
Bryden’s husband Winston described his shock at the transformation, while their son admitted he had to step away at one point to laugh at how unexpected it was. However, Bryden finds little humor in the situation, expressing sadness about how it has changed her interactions with others.
Bryden was hospitalized again in July to address complications related to the stroke, which was caused by a blockage in her carotid artery. She continues to work with doctors who are monitoring her condition and exploring treatment options.
