FND Hope
Research Board
Rachel was recently diagnosed in 2019 with FND following as the result of a stroke after traveling for science competitions around Europe. Since then, she has lost function of her legs, and various functional symptoms pop up from time to time. Despite Rachel’s exposure to illness at a young age battling POTS, Scheurmann’s Disease, JIA and now FND, Rachel has worked multiple jobs including working with English professors in university, restaurants, and coaching football teams. Rachels has lived in both England and America making her familiar with both cultures and healthcare systems. Rachel runs a chronic illness blog on Instagram! In her free time, Rachel loves to read and write and states “music is a massive part of my life.” Currently, she is focused on school in between various volunteer work opportunities. She is studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Plymouth and hopes to move on to continue neuroscience research and genetic counselling in England.
Bridget Mildon, is President and Founder of FND Hope . FND Hope is the first non-profit organization specifically for those diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder and related illnesses. A proponent of FND patient rights, Bridget is an active voice for FND patients. Her diverse experience and knowledge have cultivated into a unique perspective for those facing medical uncertainty and battling the challenges of living with Functional Neurological Disorder.
Dawn Golder is a Trustee for FND Hope UK and the UK Executive Director. Dawn works as a Process Design Analyst and is an accredited Six Sigma Green Belt; she also has her PRINCE 2 Practitioner qualification making her an effective communicator for all levels of personnel. These designations enable her to be a proficient project manager, ensuring challenging deadlines are met and processes are improved to reduce non-value add activities.