Built from the Brain

In February, my health changed literally overnight. I suddenly experienced my first seizure at work one afternoon at the time not knowing what it was or what had caused it. I then began experiencing neurological symptoms including seizures, severe dizziness, loss of balance, loss of feeling in my legs, numbness, weakness, body tremors, extreme fatigue, difficulty walking, and I eventually lost the ability to communicate where I lost the ability to speak completely. I had been in & out of a&e over the months but was never admitted & told to wait for my neurologist appointment until my condition became so serious that I was admitted to hospital for almost 2 weeks where I received extensive urgent neurological investigations.

I spent weeks in hospital fearing that I might never speak again, not knowing what was happening to me. I couldn’t talk & I was trapped in my own body and having up to 10 seizures a day alongside other neurological difficulties.

After undergoing brain MRI, CT and full spinal MRI scans, neurological testing, blood work, muscle and specialist assessments & EGG testing.

I was diagnosed with a rare brain condition called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with functional seizures.

A Neurological condition that affects the way the brain and nervous system communicate with the body. The diagnosis has had a devastating impact on my daily life and that of my family and three children.

My condition is deteriorating rapidly simple everyday tasks we all take for granted like talking, walking, cooking & cleaning have become impossible to manage, and the condition has affected my mobility, confidence and independence as I also can no longer drive. For someone who has always been full of life, positive, very active and dedicated life to my three children & my full time job that I love, where I work with little children. Having a busy fast paced life is all that I know, you can imagine that this has been incredibly difficult to process and accept as a family.

The treatment that offers me the best chance of recovery is specialist rehabilitation with a neurological physiotherapist experienced in treating FND. Unfortunately, the waiting times for this specific treatment is so long and the costs are more than we can manage on our own to go privately.

I have been referred on the NHS to St. George’s hospital as a priority on the FND pathway to see a neuropsychologist but the waiting list is still 10-12 months, that is before I then get referred for treatment.

My symptoms are worsening I had a prolonged seizure (24th July 26) that my young children supported me with.

For 5.5 hours I was in & out of consciousness an ambulance was called & I was rushed to the hospital where doctors were waiting to take me straight into RESUS. I was immediately put on oxygen, canula in & bloods taken, given strong medication, IV fluids and supported by Doctors. I had a CT Scan & Xray. This all happened minutes of my arrival as I was in a state of Fit.

I have little to no memory of the events. Once stabilised I was able to come home, the hospital will chase my referrals and we can too. But It’s a waiting game.

I never imagined asking for your support, I feel it really is something out my comfort zone. We work hard for everything we have but feel this is something I need to do & I know so many people close to us want to do something to help.

One of my friends has signed up to The River Thames Half Marathon 2026 on October 25th. She is also in the process of organising a family fun day where the proceeds will go to my cause. This sounds really fun & Information about the event will follow.

All the funding raised will go directly towards private care for myself (Natasha Rainbow) & to support my family.

These to include:

appointments for a neuropsychologist, transport to appointments, an individual intense rehabilitation programme specialised in FND and any other treatments that will help me.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will go directly towards this cause.

If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me & my family.

This is extremely difficult for me to share but I feel it is my only hope. From our family to yours, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your kindness, encouragement, and support mean more than words can ever say and donating or sharing will really help to give me the access to the treatment I so desperately need. I will be forever grateful for the love, care and support we have around us.

Natasha & my family xxx