Lost Every Day: Colorado Woman Has No Sense of Direction | Op-Docs | The New York Times

Meet a Colorado woman with a rare neurological disorder who has no sense of direction, even in her own home.
Read the story here: nyti.ms/12QGqqF
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Lost Every Day: Colorado Woman Has No Sense of Direction | Op-Docs | The New York Times
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[@MindFlowersDotNet]

What bravery to get over the hurdle of shame and fear by sharing her story! How many others may be living with this condition silently?

[@giulia7626]

I read an article about this woman while looking for a name to give to my condition. It's so weird to hear someone talk about something you've been used to your whole life.The only difference is that I can control my perception of the world and "switch" perspectives, most of the times.

[@coldcloakmusic6630]

Badfish228 I’m pretty sure I have a less severe version this, I learned my driving routes by memory, for whatever reason I have no mental map when I’m driving, I get lost all the time and it’s gotten to the point I use GPS all the time...I can even get lost inside of familiar buildings sometimes lol

[@giulia7626]

@@coldcloakmusic6630 I see, that's probably similar to my condition. I managed to find an online community of people who share it, it's called GettingLost in case you're interested, and thanks to it I was also able to learn the name of our condition, which is DTD

[@coldcloakmusic6630]

cuomeh thank you so much! I’ll check it out

[@giulia7626]

@@coldcloakmusic6630 no problem man! Have fun on the website ♡

[@giulia7626]

@Badfish228 Hey badfish, I know it's been a long time and I'm sorry if I'm answering so late; it feels good to share this with someone who understands! My condition allows me to 'change perspective' (I have 4 possible ones). I recently discovered that all of the mental maps I have and that I thought were stable are actually a giant mashup of different perspectives, but what I can tell you is that practice helps a lot if you have some issues with that sort of thing as well. If your condition is similar to mine there are no big problems when going for walks or driving, but there's always room for improvement

[@mikeyo1234]

Superb parenting skills.

[@mezzem3909]

I have that same feeling. But not as bad. Thanks for giving it a name!!

[@pesto5k]

she could be an amazing photographer... inspired everyday

[@memekodd]

Talking to yourself helps assembly of thoughts especially mental or neurological disorders.

[@Cstranger809]

Agreed.

[@zammmerjammer]

How terrible. I rely so much on my sense of direction. I remember going to see a show in a new city I'd never been to before. My friend and I crossed the bridge, stopped for dinner, and went to the casino for the show. On the way back, it was now nighttime and a heavy fog had rolled in. After about 10 minutes of walking my friend says, "Well, I guess we should ask someone for directions." I was surprised when he said that. "Why?" I said, "I know where we are." I just retraced my steps and got us back to the B&B where we were staying. If I ever lost my sense of direction, I'd be so... lost. No pun intended, I swear. I just rely on it so much, especially since I don't drive and have to walk or bus anytime I want to get anywhere. I couldn't do what this lady does.

[@falilia5619]

Your so lucky, I can’t retrace like that. Roads all look the same to me especially if I don’t force myself to memorize specific things but then I forget which of those is supposed to come first. It’s crazy. Mine is nowhere as serious as the woman in the video, but I have no sense of direction.

[@HobokenJack]

"You've reached the limit of 10 free Op-Docs a month."

[@stylejames]

I was very bad in directional sense but something worked for me! I was so organized person before .. keeping everything in order , accounts , good in remembering each tiny details of anything. But wasn’t able to exit from a building I entered. Then I become so unorganized person 😅 , I mean keeping nothin in head , not remembering anything , means stopped the excessive use of brain (overthinking) . Started living in Present (without worrying of any other tasks or thoughts ) whatever comes in head just focus on that and enjoy that. So less brain power used, but feel of living in the moment and enjoying increased. Then I noticed wherever I go , without any effort brain gives me location where I am and makes mental map from where I started my journey. (I do not make any effort to keep remembering but it works automatically)

[@movementsNYC]

Great work - Again by the NY Times

[@Gummo22]

i agree. bizzarre.

[@keithg2651]

So many basic questions... can she solve a maze on a piece of paper? Can she figure out where her home is on a map of her neighbourhood? As it is, I'm just left feeling that she'd get better a navigating if she practised doing it. (Like getting better pretty much everything is done by practice.)

[@sholmes101]

John- right??? LOL!!!!!

[@rainbird9204]

Oh my gosh ! That's me . I never realised it's a condition . I thought it was just me . I haven't had any brain damage in frontal lobe though.

[@jessicamcgregor82]

Me to! I have no know brain damage either. I also have dyslexia, wondering if it is a thing more often in those with dyslexia.

[@rainbird9204]

@@jessicamcgregor82 that's interesting that you should say that because have dyslexia too . My friend has the same problem with navigating her way around and also has dyslexia.

[@jessicamcgregor82]

@@rainbird9204 wow, yes! Very interesting! I would love to see a study done to see if it is something that is more prevalent in those with dyslexia.

[@adrianavegaz444]

I have this and it's hard to explain this to people they just assume you don't pay attention

[@JordanMorning]

Every time she has to go to the bathroom then.....?

[@pipperlue]

A GPS would help her in the car...instead of talking to herself and trying to remember

[@mdb2879]

Thought the same

[@juliusceasar6002]

radio lab

[@gobrandsocial4798]

Should she be driving?

[@harryhoward2000]

The closet.

[@88balloonsonthewall70]

She could be anyone of my ex's.

[@ricsussan]

DTD ? NUTS !

[@bernhardm.3118]

Richard Sussan Actually I came here because something very familiar is happening to me, its very difficult to explain

[@giulia7626]

DTD indeed, I actually share the same condition with the exception of being able to switch perspective at my own will

[@Hi_Im_Ms_Cjgfiowodjgth]

@@giulia7626 hi could you please explain to me what it is exactly?

[@heterosectional]

Looking at her home, she's not hurting for money. Can't say as I sympathize with her. I know people who are homeless and will never have the luxurious life of ease she has.

[@paulodourado7813]

Roger Regor hmmm that's not how empathy works. social class should not subtract from one's ability to feel compassion for others

[@EmmanuelTurner245225]

I hope you don't still feel this way six years later.