How to remember names, how to remember faces makes…”It’s a Wonderful Life”
2ND DAY OF XMAS: REMEMBERING FACES
I remember riding my bike home from school past Jimmy Stewart’s house. At the time I he was building a park on the vacant lot next to his house. I befriended him early in the park’s development because I told him what a fan of “It’s a Wonderful Life” I was. I also bragged a little bit and told him my Dad worked for his neighbors, Lucy and Desi Arnaz. I came to watch the park grow over the course of a couple of years but something also started to grow. Mr. Stewart’s memory loss. After a time he didn’t recognize me anymore and so our chats weren’t as fruitful. I guess you could say that was the beginning of my love for teaching memory tactics. I wish I knew him as an adult because I’m sure I could’ve helped slow down the process. I told him just remember Donna Reed (co-star in the movie) has red hair (at the time) and so does “Jenny with a Penny” and then I flashed the penny and handed it to him. From then on he called me “Jenny with the Penny.” Alas a name memory mnemonic.
Memory loss with faces is called Prosopagnosia and it is such an emotional moment when a parent ages and doesn’t recognize family members. This holiday season if you have an aging relative, when you visit, give a little premeditated rhyme with your name and try to attach it with something about you e.g, red hair, etc. Some other mnemonics:
“Howie Maui with the Stash” (mustache–see my gray mustache and gotee.)
“Lynn with the Bin” (show up with a prop and goodies in it!)
“Lou the Piano Jew” (as he refers to himself and has piano fingers <my son>)
“Mad who’s Glad” (glad to see you and I wear glasses!)
And the beat goes on…
Remember me until next time,
Jenn Bulka, SLP Memory Specialist
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