Hi, I'm Tommy.

On 5 January 2026, I had a skateboarding accident in the snow. I was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken neck. A CT scan thankfully showed my neck was fine, but what followed was one of the hardest 6 months of my life.

I developed severe whiplash and was in agony. I was admitted to the neurosurgical ward at Birmingham Children's Hospital, where I had MRI scans of my neck, spine and head. All of them came back clear. Nobody could explain why I was in so much pain.

While I was in hospital, the pain spread all over my body. I developed full body tremors and became unable to stand or walk. I was eventually diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which we believe was brought on by the trauma of the accident, the intense pain, and everything that followed.

Despite all of that, I tried to keep smiling. I hosted the hospital radio station, met Nitro from the Gladiators, and had a brilliant time with the Giggle Doctor. The staff and volunteers at Birmingham Children's Hospital were absolutely incredible, and I will never forget their kindness.

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What is FND?

Functional Neurological Disorder is a condition where the brain struggles to send and receive signals correctly. It is not caused by structural damage to the brain or nerves, but the symptoms are very real and can be completely disabling. They can include pain, tremors, weakness, paralysis, and difficulty walking or speaking. FND is more common than many people realise, but it is still widely misunderstood and underfunded.

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What happened next was really tough.

When I was discharged, I was told I would walk again once I got home and that things would be fine. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I did not stand or walk for over three months. I was in a wheelchair and slept on a mattress in the lounge.

Getting help on the NHS has been really difficult. My monthly physio sessions were at the hospital, which I could not go to do to full body tremors when I went near a hospital. Community physio had long waiting lists, and I was discharged without any proper follow-up plan.

Thankfully, I have started to recover. I am walking again. But this has come through months of hard work, intensive home physio and specialist neuro physio sessions.

I still have a long way to go. I'm still in lots of pain and feel tired all the time but I'm determined to get better.

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Before all of this, I was a different Tommy.

I loved school. I played for two football teams. I never sat still. I was always outside, always active, always happy. FND took all of that away from me for a long time, including going to school and playing football.

My football team, Boldmere Falcons, did a collection for me, and I want to use that money to help fund this abseil so I can give something back and raise awareness for others going through the same thing.

I am also writing about my experience and my condition, because I want people to understand what FND really is and help others that go through it.

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Why I am doing this abseil.

On 17 October 2026, I will be abseiling at Birmingham Airport to raise money for two organisations that have meant the world to me and my family.

Birmingham Children's Hospital, for the care, the kindness, and the smiles when I needed them most.

FND Hope, who have supported us throughout this journey and continue to do so. They provide vital information, community, and hope to people and families affected by FND across the UK and beyond.

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Please donate, whatever you can.

Every single pound helps, no matter how small. Your donation will go directly to FND Hope and Birmingham Children's Hospital, two organisations doing genuinely life-changing work.

I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of my recovery. My family, friends, my physio team, my football team, teachers, the hospital staff and volunteers, and everyone who has checked in on me along the way. You have all made a difference, and I am so grateful.

Thank you so much for reading my story.

Tommy