FND Matters NI is a Northern Ireland based charity whose aim is to raise awareness of Functional Neurological Disorder and provide vital support to those diagnosed. In FND patients, there is a problem with sending messages from the brain to the nervous system. Symptoms are varied and and can include seizures, blackouts, chronic fatigue and pain, limb weakness and paralysis.

There is currently no pathway of care in Northern Ireland for FND patients and in many cases very little medical support is offered. FND Matters NI is helping to bridge the gap by working to raise awareness of this cruel illness and offer desperately needed support to patients and their families.

After experiencing symptoms since primary school, I was finally diagnosed nearly 4 years ago. The neurologist gave me a very basic leaflet with a website address to go to for more information and told me the condition would just fizzle out. Neurologists who specialise in FND agree this simply does not happen and specialist treatment is required. FND affects me in different ways. I experience a range of symptoms including seizures, blackouts and chronic fatigue. This has a significant impact on my life and my ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

FND Matters NI offer support through peer group meetings, a befriending service and FND trained counselling services. I have had the opportunity to meet other young people with FND in N. Ireland through the young persons support group. It was a relief to realise there were other young people who understood what I was going through and were experiencing similar challenges to myself.

The amazing support FND Matters NI offer FND patients in N. Ireland is provided at no cost to the patient but funds are needed urgently to enable them to continue these invaluable services

I would be so grateful for any donation.

Thank you

Erin