The capabilities of the human brain fascinate me, more specifically, neuroplasticity. The ability of one area of the brain to regain functions of a separate, damaged region is remarkable. The brain is capable of reorganizing itself. Simultaneously as we were exploring this concept in psychology, my freshman writing class was reading an excerpt from the book "The Brain that Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge. The text offered three case studies to explore the workings of brain plasticity, including the story of Cheryl Schiltz (see related video), whose vestibular apparatus wasn't functioning until she sought treatment from scientist Paul Bach-y-Rita. Another focused on Pedro Bach-y-Rita, who was 'permanently' paralyzed and unable to speak. After intense therapy, Pedro regained his normal functions. It was after his death that doctors discovered a large lesion in his brain resulting from his stroke that had hardly healed; his brain restructured around it.
Neuroplasticity is an ever-changing area in the psychological, scientific, and medicinal world, and I suspect that numerous breakthroughs will be made in the future. Not only will I remember learning about such aptitudes of the brain throughout my life because new experiments and advances will be shared by way of the media, but I'm sure at some point in my life I'll have the pleasure of meeting an individual who has experienced trauma, and in adapting, has rewired their own brain to cope.
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