Tommy McHugh--a former English criminal--experienced an exceptionally unusual consequence to brain hemorrhaging: a personality shift. Likely for the better.
McHugh suffered from a stroke that affected areas of his frontal and temporal lobe; however, his post-stroke complaints did not include problems with cognition, communication, depression, or vision. After awakening from his coma, McHugh reported an uncontrollable urge to paint, write, and sculpt--supposedly for up to 18 hours a day.
This is unusual, however, explainable. The frontal and temporal lobes of the human brain are responsible for understanding meaning; those in artistic professions are often thought to have enlarged frontal and/or temporal lobes. When McHugh suffered from his stroke, a sudden flow of blood altered the chemistry in his temporal lobes--making his personality transform from heroin addict to artist.
Unfortunately, McHugh passed away at 51 in 2012. However, his legacy remains. He worked with his city's council to create a place where people attempting to cope with illness--physical, emotional, or otherwise--could safely express themselves.
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