Brad Cahoon has a remarkable mind. The Brisbane man can recall significant moments in time at the drop of a hat, even down to the day and weather conditions.
“I’ve worked in porterage at the PA Hospital’s emergency department since August 24, 1995 but I’ve been here since July 19, 1993 on an overcast Monday,” he said.
The way he associates history with dates and birthdays is so impressive, it almost has to be seen to be believed.
“So I might see a colleague who has the same birthday as Stan Laurel on 16th of June. Or it might be 19th of April which is the same as Ole Evinrude, the man who invented the outboard motor.
“If someone’s birthday is 6th of May I’ll tell them the Hindenburg exploded in 1937, then I’ll say by the way George Clooney was born on the same day in 1961.”
The PA porter has now become a celebrity in his own right, effortlessly educating and entertaining those around him ever since that overcast Monday 30 years ago.
“I think about historical people’s birthdays or events and then I see someone, and it mixes together. That’s how I remember their birthday, it just comes into my head naturally.”
As Brad described the way his brain works, a colleague passed him in the hallway and without skipping a beat he said, “February 26. The same as Johnny Cash.”
It’s not only staff who are enthralled by Brad’s brain, but patients too. Tapping into his seemingly never-ending memory is almost guaranteed to spark joy.
“For example there’s no one significant born on April 12 but then I’ll tell them Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space on April 12 1961. So I try and educate patients on a major historical event of world history.”
Brad’s mega memory is also being put to good use outside the wards of the PA, blitzing his competitors in trivia. And to no one’s surprise – history is his favourite topic.
“I go to trivia nights and then I bring the questions in to work and challenge staff just to test their knowledge. Working in healthcare most people know science questions, so people enjoy when I quiz them on movies or geography.”
But just like every good superhero – he admits to having an Achilles heel.
“It’s celebrity trivia. I’m not very good at keeping up with them,” Brad laughed.
Outside of work and trivia, he’s also a stadium usher, volunteer, and enjoys travelling to historical landmarks.
Brad humbly acknowledges his special gift and said he has never been neurologically tested, with no desire to.
“It’s just the way I am I guess.”
We appreciate you exactly the way you are Brad, and believe uniqueness is worth celebrating!