"My Beautiful Broken Brain"

Retrieved from: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/first-look-at-netflix-original-documentary-my-beautiful-broken-brain/

        

I watched the documentary “My Beautiful Broken Brain” that is on Netflix. It is about a 34 year old woman, by the name of Lotje, who woke up one night due to having a bad headache. However, it wasn’t just an oncoming migraine, it actually wound up being a intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke. Lotje was a social person who loved to read, write, and film things. For the next year, she was going to have to spend her time relearning words and phrases.

            For Lotje, just hours after her stroke happened, she was not able to speak. After a few days’ things started coming back. However, she still struggled with finding the right words or phrases when trying to speak to someone. For example, she could look at something and know what it is, but it was very hard for her to say the correct word. She would point to a record for a record player and really wrestle with trying to say the actual word “record.” She would have to ask her friend to repeat the word and once she heard it, she was able to actually repeat it back. Although, if just a few seconds went by and she was asked what that object was, she wouldn’t be able to repeat it back. This was something Lotje dealt with on a regular basis and made it frustrating for her. Along with that, her vision in her right eye was starting to change. Lotje stated that since her stroke, she experienced louder noises and brighter colors. She also battled unlocking doors and had dreams that would make her confused on if they were a dream or reality. Halfway into her recovery, she had a seizure and was sent to the hospital. There Lotje found out that she had an epileptic episode. These seizures can become common after having a stroke.

            I chose to watch this documentary, because the brain is so complex and amazes me. Some things I still find hard to wrap my mind around, when it comes to those who have had a stroke. With how it affects them, I find it to be really interesting. That word may sound odd in that context, but I find it interesting in a learning way. Overall, I gained more knowledge on the process of recovery. The footage showed raw emotions and frustration, but also some positivity. What I also found to be unique, is while watching the story, the screen was designed for the watchers to experience what Lotje may be seeing. It showed blurred, bright colors on the right side of the screen, since her vision on that side was changing.

            I liked how towards the end of the documentary, Lotje references to her having a new brain and that is just takes a very long time to get use to that new brain. Which is very true, recovery is a long process after having a hemorrhagic stroke and takes a lot out of the individual, but like Lotje states, you learn to focus on only what matters.

Reference

Robinson, S., Sodderland, L. (Directors). (2014). My Beautiful Broken Brain. [Film] Robinson, S.