For World FND Awareness Week, I am taking part in the
Rollerthon with family and friends in order to raise funds for FND Hope, and awareness about this terrible condition. We will roll (and walk) 5 miles on the 12th of May to contribute to the 25,000 mile target – roughly the distance around the earth.

I was diagnosed with FND in December 2014 after a series of terrifying episodes and multiple visits to A&E. FND stands for Functional Neurological Disorder. It is a neurological condition where the signals in the brain are not sent or received properly, resulting of a variety of scary and debilitating symptoms that mirror conditions such as MS and Parkinson’s, only there is no damage to the brain or nervous system. Because of my symptoms, I had to leave my jobs, give up my passion which is Ballet, and now use crutches and a wheelchair to get around.

My symptoms include: functional leg weakness, functional dystonia (cramping), Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD), migraines, headaches, Chronic Fatigue (CFS/ME), chronic pain, fibromyalgia, twitches and tremors, speech problems and dissociation. Over the last few years, I have been learning to manage my symptoms. It’s taken a lot of time and help from medial professionals, and I’ve still got a long way to go.

FND Hope are an amazing charity who not only raise awareness about the condition, but help to support those suffering with FND and their families, and advance research into FND.

It would mean a lot to me if you could sponsor my family,
friends and I to take part in the Rollerthon, and if you can’t contribute
money, then please share this post, my story and FND Hopes’ mission to make the world #FNDaware.

(FND Hope UK is a recognised charity #1173607. We promote awareness of FND through education and raising public understanding. We are dedicated to supporting those individuals affected with functional symptoms by advancing research into practical applications for the prevention, treatment and recovery of FND. We are a force for change, uniting patients and their families with leading researchers and advocates to pioneer a new standard of care for FND. Our mission is to promote awareness, support affected individuals and advance research.)