Publish date: 11 September 2024
Ian McNally, Social Prescriber and Wellbeing Link Worker for Anfield and Everton Primary Care Network is running a half marathon to raise awareness and money for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Hope and Alder Key. Ian has chosen this charity as his colleague, Fiona Kay’s daughter, Amelie was diagnosed with FND in 2023 (aged 11). If you would like to donate, please visit his JustGiving page.
Amelie's story
Hello, my name is Amelie. Last November I fell playing netball. I thought I only had a few grazes and cuts but 12 nights later in Alder Hey, on the amazing Neuro rehab unit 4B, I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and non-epileptic seizures. This has changed my world. I experience a lot of difficulties day to day. One main challenge I need help with is my mobility. Some days I'm walking around, some days I'm on crutches and some days I can't get out at all because I can't walk. This makes me sad and I miss out on a lot when this happens. Another challenge is at night time. My body can become ridged, and I experience non-epileptic seizures. This stops me from having a good night's sleep and then the next day I'm very tired. Most days I can't get to school, on Thursdays, I am homeschooled but my goal is to get back to school. I am working very hard each day to do my best to get to school. I have been getting support from CAMHs to help retrain my brain. Things are getting better with time and this is through understanding FND more and my triggers. Me and my family have done research to help our understanding and looking at FND hope. They have lots of information on their website. I just want to say a massive thank you to Ian for showing his support by doing a big run and raising money for people and families with FND. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far.
FND is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system and how the brain and body send and receive signals. Physical and/or psychological risk factors can cause functional symptoms which include a variety of physical, sensory and cognitive symptoms that have yet to be explained by a recognised disease. Functional Neurological Disorders are considered to be multifactorial, which means many different risk factors can contribute to the development of the disorder. The symptoms are real and can cause impairment in quality of life that is similar to and in some aspects worse than other neurological conditions.
FND is considered as a rare disease, However, the exact prevalence is unknown, and the mechanisms which cause FND continues to be poorly understood. Half the donation made will be going to FND Hope (FND Hope - FND Hope International) FND Hope International is the first and only global charity for people with Functional Neurological Disorder.