PROSOPAGNOSIA

When I got into a car accident, I was told that I was lucky to be alive. I had to spend some time in the hospital to get well. I was additionally diagnosed with prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness. Something you can never get used to. All these familiar faces that you once recognized so well now blend together to create unknown people. Everyone looks the same. So familiar, yet so unknown.

It's something I've never been able to properly get used to. I wish to see the faces of my loved ones again, but when I look at them, it's all a blur. My memory of their appearance has faded. I can't recognize them. I've been told to work around it, to try identifying people based on their clothing, height, hairstyle, and things like that. Using others' vocal mannerisms has so far helped me the most, but it's still difficult without being able to recognize their face.

Ever since I was diagnosed with prosopagnosia, I've become more anxious. I feel like I'm constantly surrounded by strangers. I'm not, of course, but it's so much harder to tell who's a stranger and who isn't now. The person in front of me now simply becomes a random arrangement of facial features. If they don't give me enough time to see who they are, I freak out.

You'd think that after everything I've told you, the scariest aspect of this whole situation would be the fact that I can't identify faces. If it weren't for my current situation, I'd agree with you.

I was preparing dinner when I heard the keys jingle. My sister must be home, I thought to myself, not thinking much of the noise. I welcomed her home but got no response. The house was quiet. Usually, she'd say something back at this point. Gripping the kitchen knife tightly, I swiftly turned around. My sister was standing behind me.

But something was wrong.

For the first time in what felt like years, I could see her face very clearly. However, everything felt wrong. Her eyes were large and unblinking, and her mouth formed a large, uncanny smile. She had long, pointed teeth. She looked wrong in all possible ways.
 

Whatever was standing in front of me, it sure as hell wasn't my sister.