When it started
I was 15 years old and woke up with a headache. Later that day I went to get out of bed but couldn’t move. My left leg was completely paralysed. My parents took me to a&e and I had test after test done until a long time later I was finally diagnosed with FND.
What it’s like
My day to day life is a struggle. Now at 18 years old I am still adjusting and making new adaptations to my life. On my good days I can make my own food and wash my hair which made me cry at first because all of that is “normal things” but now I think of it as a gift. I work part time and have learned to pace myself and rest when I need and if I have to take a sick day, it’s not the end of the world. My bad days can be heartbreaking, especially when I can’t use the toilet by myself and have to have help with cutting my food. I have a few symptoms that flare up such as tremors, pain, severe headaches and weakness in my whole body.
What helps
RESTING. I have now learned that resting isn’t me being lazy or taking the easy way out. It’s me giving my body the time it needs to recover.
A message for others
Please don’t be hard on yourself. Take each day as it comes and pace yourself. Life is not a race and everything will be there tomorrow or a weeks time. Talking to people helps with the frustration and it doesn’t mean your a burden it means your a human who needs help from time to time.
Thank you for reading
Mia
