Leanne Rowe, a born and bred Tasmanian, used to speak like most other Australians.<br/> <br />But eight years ago a bus crash forever changed her life - leaving her with a French accent.<br/> <br />The rare condition is known as Foreign Accent Syndrome - and Rowe says that it has made her feel anxious, depressed and reclusive.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) FOREIGN ACCENT SYNDROME SUFFERER, LEANNE ROWE SAYING:<br/> <br />"I prefer night time because its very peaceful. Not many people about."<br/> <br />University of Sydney psychologist, Dr Karen Croot, says the syndrome is caused by tissue damage to area of the brain responsible for speech.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) PSYCHOLOGIST, DR KAREN CROOT SAYING:<br/> <br />"It's just an accident, an accident of chance that happens to that person. That what happens to their speech, happens to overlap with the features of a known accent."<br/> <br />Dr Robert Newton has been the Rowe family doctor for decades and was shocked by her condition.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) LEANNE ROW
