Amnesia victim re-unites with family

A Russian pensioner, who lost her memory and was found hundreds of kilometres away from home, has finally re-united with her family. The woman – a former teacher – was missing for three weeks and it was thanks to a local media campai

Valentina Vashchenko found herself at a bus station in the southern Russian city of Stavropol all alone. The woman turned to the police as she had no documents with her and could recall neither her name nor address.

“She was at a loss and couldn't say anything about herself. We offered her some tea and food,” said Andrey Sablin, Stavropol police officer.

The police then called the doctors and they diagnosed a possible stroke which could have led to a memory loss.

“I do not remember anything about myself – neither my name, nor where I am from,” claimed Valentina Vashchenko.

The local media started a campaign hoping relatives might see her on TV. Fortunately, Valentine’s daughter Anna was watching it.

“We have been searching for her everywhere. People say they saw her at a bus station. Most likely she bought a ticket and came to Stavropol,” commented Anna Vashchenko.

It took Anna several hours to get to Stavropol and re-unite with her mother.

Specialists are not sure that the former school teacher will regain her memory. Psychologists say hypnosis may help but it’s too early to say.