Migraine is the most common and disabling neurological disorder in the UK, which affects 1 in 7 people. The Migraine Trust is the only research and support charity for people affected by any type of migraine in the UK. The disorder I suffer from is called Hemiplegic Migraine. Hemiplegic migraine is a rare disorder in which affected individuals experience a migraine headache along with weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegia). 

On the 20th November 2020 I suffered my very first Hemiplegic Migraine and my life changed forever. Being taken into hospital at 3am with a suspected stroke at the age of 19 was the scariest thing I’ve yet experienced. They weren’t aware at the time it was what’s called a “Hemiplegic migraine” as it is an extremely rare condition. It wasn’t until my second attack at the beginning of January that one paramedic, after seeing 4 different doctors, suspected this diagnosis. I cannot thank that ONE paramedic enough for telling me about this because it has given every doctor I’ve seen since a little more knowledge of this condition. 

It has been made clear that Hemiplegic migraines aren’t well known at all and if it hadn’t have been for The Migraine Trust, I would have no idea what this diagnosis meant for me. With this being the ONE charity available for people in the UK to learn about migraines and they relay on donations to fund their research, I would love nothing more than to make a difference.