FND stands for Functional Neurological Disorder. A disorder which affects the way my brain functions and processes information/signals. I was diagnosed with FND the summer of 2016, but my symptoms started in 2013. 

It initially began with the sudden loss of feeling in my legs and the inability to walk properly. I was admitted to hospital summer of 2013, but the doctors could not find anything physically wrong with me. I started physio and was on crutches until early 2014. My symptoms faded for a few months, but returned with a vengeance very quickly. This time I had loss of feeling in my arms too, and by the end of 2014 it had turned into non epileptic seizures. The symptoms again faded for a while and in the summer of 2015 I got married, and walked down the aisle crutch free. But again, by the end of the year, the symptoms had returned- the seizures getting more frequent (over 1 a day) and were lasting longer too. Also, a new symptom presented itself- loss of speech. 

I was back and forth to the hospital, seeing different specialists and having lots of tests but because they couldn’t find anything physically wrong, no one knew what to do. I was referred to psychology but at the time was told I didn’t need their help. In 2016, we were finally getting somewhere with a diagnosis, but depression and anxiety kicked in due to the physical and mental effect this was all having on me. Summer of 2016 I was told I have FND and was referred to psychology again for CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) 

In May 2017 I finished my therapy and whilst I still have the occasional symptom, I can manage them a lot better and they are becoming more and more infrequent. In October ‘17, I gave birth to my daughter, and whilst the pregnancy was a little tough, I feel like my perspective of my condition has completely changed for the better. 

Due to the overlap between neurology and psychology, there is a lack of understanding of the disorder. There’s also no medicinal cure, just therapy, and this doesn’t always work for patients. FND ACTION aim to help raise awareness and support for people dealing with this condition, and now that I am starting to feel physically better, and mentally clearer about it, I would like to raise awareness- and money- too.