Ellia wanted to walk 8 miles during our World FND Month to help raise awareness for our #FNDAware Campaign.
Ellia explains below why she wanted to set herself a challenge and raise awareness of FND
“I wanted to raise money for FND Hope UK as I was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder in November last year (2020) after countless blackout episodes and seizures. FND has caused me to lose some of my independence as I am currently unable to work, learn how to drive and I cannot even go out with my friends without being scared of having a seizure. Before being diagnosed, I had never heard of functional neurological disorder despite it being more prevalent than Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. After being diagnosed, I was sent some information about FND and was told to try cognitive behavioural therapy which I have read that it only yields a 13% success rate. Other than this, I have been left in the dark and I am sure that I am not the only FND patient to say that. This is why I wanted to fundraise for FND Hope UK; I want more research to go into this misunderstood disorder so that patients can get the help they need without being left in the dark”.
Ellia, thank you for all of us here at FND Hope UK
