My story is about a young man called James who was fit and healthy and enjoyed life. He is married and has 1 son and 2 daughters. One day last last year he woke up one morning unable to speak, and had had weakness down one side. At first the doctors thought he had suffered a stroke, after completing MRI scans and blood tests they came back normal. After seeing a nerologist they told him he had FND- functional neutological disorder, meaning he has a brain deficit leaving his brain unable to communicate with his body. At the moment he suffers from:

Limb weakness or paralysis

non-epileptic seizures/attacks) currently James can have 1-3 seizures a week

Movement disorders including tremors.

Visual symptoms of double vision

Speech symptoms including dysphonia, slurred or stuttering speech

Sensory disturbance including hemisensory syndrome (altered sensation down one side of the body)

He also suffers from dizzyness and headaches constantly and when he has an episode he struggles with his speech. He is determined that this wont get the better of him and continues to go to work, somedays he struggles and he comes home exhausted but he doesnt want to give up working. Please never take life for granted or the people you have in your life as it can all change at a moments notice and the life you once had will be gone and exchanged for a different one. I know this because my husband has FND so this is something very close to my heart and i know how much it can affect the lives of all those involved.

A functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which patients experience neurological symptoms such as weakness, movement disorders, sensory symptoms and blackouts. The brain of a patient with functional neurological symptom disorder is structurally normal, but functions incorrectly.

I am raising funds to support him by making it so he can have a bathroom on the same floor as his bedroom as currently he has to go downstairs. This makes him very tired and when he has a difficult day the stairs can seem like he is trying to climb a mountain. The funds raised will make his life easier and safer. I am trying to raise £2500 so that he can have a bathroom put in upstairs which will make his life so much easier. Thank you for reading and for your support x