Lives Less Ordinary

The man who woke up in the future

8 snips
Jun 8, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Pierdante Piccioni, an Italian doctor and chief of the emergency department, shares his extraordinary journey after a life-altering accident erased 12 years of memory. He talks about the disorienting experience of waking up to a new world and reconnecting with a family he did not recognize. Through his struggle with identity and the emotional challenges of memory loss, he explores themes of isolation, love, and the evolution of familial bonds, ultimately leading to his transformation and return to medicine with renewed empathy.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Waking Up 12 Years Later

  • After a 2013 car accident, Pierdante Piccioni woke up thinking it was 2001, unable to recognize his now-adult sons or aged wife.
  • He initially believed the people claiming to be his family were impostors and that he was in a fictional joke.
INSIGHT

Loss of Memories and Its Impact

  • The accident caused Pierdante to lose 12 years of life memories, including his mother's death.
  • He realized the traumatic impact of memory loss when he saw her grave photo and recognized his role as her doctor.
ANECDOTE

Identity Crisis and Isolation

  • Pierdante felt angry and disconnected, struggling with his changed appearance and identity.
  • He faced isolation as he could not reconcile his younger self with his current reality.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app