After months of not knowing what was wrong with me, I was eventually diagnosed with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder). I was on a children’s neurological ward for four months. I was also seen by a team from Great Ormond Street. Once I was discharged from hospital my condition deteriorated and I couldn’t sit up. I was bedridden for three years. I felt trapped inside my own body.
I wasn’t well enough to return to school, FND took all of my abilities away from me. I was non verbal for one year until I slowly started to learn how to talk again. In 2019 my FND started to improve and I was learning to sit up again after three years of being bedridden.
When I was poorly I formed a special bond with two things London and ITV’S Loose Women. It was my dream to visit London and to meet the Loose Women but because of my illness I wasn’t well enough to go. The Loose Women heard about my story and sent me a video message. Then when I was well enough I met some of the panelist’s and visited London.
In recent years I’ve met 15 of the Loose Women and I’ve been to my favourite place London many times, they were the things that helped to motivate me when I was poorly.
Nine years on from my life changing illness I’m slowly starting to recover and learning to walk again.
To share my own story in my own words is something I never thought I’d be able to do. I want to raise awareness about FND and show the impact it has. There has been times my FND has been misunderstood due to lack of understanding of the condition. Despite everything I have remained positive and never given up hope on achieving my dreams.
