Posted by Simus on July 17, 2004, at 0:59:01
In reply to Re: Supplements for brain fog?, posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 15:56:32
> "Flowers for Algernon" is a book. Here's part of Amazon.com's blurb about it: "a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In poignant diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance-until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration." (Of course Charlie's deterioration begins shortly thereafter. It was made into a movie many years ago with Cliff Robertson called "Charlie".)
>
> It's heartbreaking to see him watch himself go downhill and lose his life.Kara,
Sorry to intrude... I read that book over and over as a child. It was such a moving book. I couldn't imagine anything worse than to watch oneself degrade mentally.
Odd how life has it's little twists and turns. At the time, I never dreamed I would live out the experience, so to speak. I went from testing at genius IQ level and always being top of the class, all the way down to struggling to remember my middle name. Although I have improved since that point, I don't know if I will ever again be able to work in the profession I was trained in.
I have often though about Charlie and little Algernon over these past several years...
Simus
poster:Simus
thread:359642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040613/msgs/367052.html