DCH STROKE WARD AND FND HOPE UK

Hi, My name is Juliet. As many of you will know I was diagnosed with a very disabling (at times) Neurological Disorder called FND(Functional Neurological Disorder) a few years ago. Since my diagnosis I have managed pretty well with my condition. It is a very complex disease. Explanation below.

In December 2022 I was struck with an additional blow in relation to my FND (NEAD seizures) Non Epileptic Attack Disorder). I spent a considerable amount of time rehabilitating in the Stoke Unit at Dorchester Community Hospital and then a further 2 weeks of ACUTE HOSPITAL AT HOME CARE.

Every member of this care team were truly wonderful and could not have done more. I will always have FND but with medication and other forms of therapy I can live a good quality of life.

During my stay in DCH there were NHS strikes for better pay (rightly so!) but you would never have known from the love, care  and time I received from every member of staff.  Nothing was too much for them. When I heard what nurses and HCA’s get paid I was truly shocked and disgusted !!!! The government should hang their heads in shame!!! 

But here’s the thing the staff don’t do it for the money but for the love of their work and the people they care for.

I was only home a couple of weeks, when I must have had a seizure and fell face down onto hard flooring. I was taken to hospital where I had 14 further seizures. After 24 hours I was allowed home.

As it’s FND awareness month I would like to raise some money for the Stroke Unit. I am a keen runner but obviously I cannot do this for safety reasons presently.

Instead, I am going to do as many miles as I possibly can on my exercise bike at home and when not doing this some walking with my crutches beginning today til the end of the month. This will be a challenge as my body is out of condition. 

If you can find a pound or two to donate as I rack up the miles it would be amazing and so well appreciated by the Stroke ward team and myself. 

Words from the Stroke Association

‘Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK. It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. Stroke is a medical emergency. It changes lives in an instant, and the impact can be devastating. It can cost people their ability to move, communicate and lead their everyday lives. Two thirds of people who survive a stroke find themselves living with a disability. And 40% of stroke survivors experience anxiety and depression. The effects of a stroke mean many people have to give up jobs they love. Often relatives have to give up work as well, to take on a caring role’

I was one of the lucky ones on the Stroke/Neurological Unit. Physiotherapy and Psychological Therapies will help with my condition but will always be a part of me. BUT, I WILL NOT LET IT DEFINE ME. 

We all know someone who has been touched by a Stroke or a Neurological condition so let’s all dig deep and raise as much as we can. I know this is a tough time financially for all but every pound helps. I will keep you updated on my miles ❤️

FND THE BASICS

In 2019, I was diagnosed with a very common but very little heard of illness called FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) How do you explain FND? Functional neurological disorder (FND) describes a problem with how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body. It's often helpful to think of your brain as a computer. In someone who has FND, there's no damage to the hardware, or structure, of the brain. Symptoms * Weakness or paralysis. * Abnormal movement, such as tremors or difficulty walking. * Loss of balance. * Difficulty swallowing or feeling "a lump in the throat" * Seizures or episodes of shaking and apparent loss of consciousness (nonepileptic seizures) * Episodes of unresponsiveness.

The 25th March marks FND Awareness Day in the UK, and Australia, where we partner up with other FND charities to facilitate activities to raise much needed awareness of Functional Neurological Disorder.

Functional Neurological Disorder can affect anyone of any age, and leads to neurological symptoms that can for many be severe and disabling, and life changing for all. Access to any care, or lack of appropriate care, continues to be a serious issue in most parts of the UK. Awareness day allows us all to come together to be the #Voices4FND for change.

Prevalence is currently unknown due to the lack of regional reporting, however Neurologists will see cases in their clinics frequently, and symptoms are believed to be the second most common reason for referrals to Neurology after migraine/headache. Sadly though, receiving the diagnosis proceeds no further for many as there is still little knowledge or awareness of FND. This leads to many being left struggling on their own, desperately trying to find any care and support that may help. FND Action advocate for accessible collaborative care for ALL those who have been diagnosed, to ensure they are given the best opportunity to a quality of life that is maintainable.

Thank you in advance.

Love Juliet xx