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In our discussion of the periodic table, she taught us to consider why the elements were placed where they were. She encouraged us to look for and understand trends across row and down groups. This provided me with the a good strategy for figuring out where helium belonged in the periodic table. Independent of rote memorization.

I guess my real question is how did I acess the information my teacher taught me. I should have been able to acess my mother's name more easily. Is there something about brain processes, that it is easier to think analytically after suffering brain damage than to recall simple facts?  Or do I have a deeper emotional connection to chemistry than my mother?  (not impossible)