Michelle Fumagalli is one of the many that has found facebook to be a place to find support and give encouragement to others with conversion disorder. I love how she has taken a trial and made something out of it. Many struggle to find the words to express how they feel, and Michelle seems to put the words together in just a way that others can say “Thats it! That is how I feel too.” Thank you Michelle for sharing with us a little part of you.
FINDING MY CONVERSION STORY
Michelle
A Life Around Conversion Disorder
Pre CD/FND – Carer for disabled children, loving my job. I was happy and bubbly. Had a brilliant social life and loved life. I was engaged and due to move out into a flat with my fiance.
Living with CD/FND – I can’t walk or even stand unaided and have not been able to since the 1st of November 2010 when I woke up with no movement or feeling in my legs. I can now walk with two walking sticks on good days (although I tumble often), a walking frame on not so good days and a wheelchair on bad days. I can’t get any great distance on my own, or even with someones support and I struggle daily, but I am a fighter. I had a suprapubic catheter fitted in May 2011 after my bladder stopped working. I struggle some days more than others, but with the support of my friends and family I get through.
I enjoy writing as it helps get my feelings into words and stops them getting so muddled when I speak them, I can also help others by showing them their not alone with my poetry as they can show it to others helping them to explain how they too feel.
‘I’m Michelle, 22 years young, a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, a girlfriend, and I have Conversion Disorder.