Volunteering at a crisis hotline...

[MineralMan]

6. I once contracted viral encephalitis.

Was in a coma for a few days. After I came out of it, I think everyone who saw me for the next two weeks gave me a mental status check. I got very good at counting backwards by 7s. I had more trouble remembering three things for a few minutes, but as soon as I realized that, I focused more on that short-term memory test.

Eventually, it came time for me to be released to go home to finish recovering. The doctor started in on the mental status check, so I told him the three things he'd asked me to remember for the past three days, and he gave up. His final test, though, was interesting. I was still pretty shaky. He tossed my my shirt, which I had removed so he could listen to my heart and lungs. As I caught it, I realized that this was yet another test, so I focused about 75% of my mind on smoothly putting it on and buttoning it. I got to go home.