Hello beloved community,

I’m Liz Díaz a Canadian-Peruvian somatic practitioner, dance facilitator, and community worker. For over a decade, I’ve supported women on their healing journeys through movement, mindfulness, and creative expression.

After living in Peru for the past seven years facilitating community healing spaces for local Peruvian women, I came to Toronto earlier this year to visit family not expecting to face a sudden and life-changing health crisis. I’m now navigating Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that impacts mobility and coordination, while working toward recovery with the same grace, resilience, and presence I’ve always brought to my healing work.

Your support will help me access the care I need to heal, regain strength, and eventually return to sharing my gifts of embodiment and compassion with others.

Here’s a little more about what’s unfolded over the past six months and why I’m reaching out for support now.

After six months of extreme pain, this past month has been one of the most intense and transformative periods of my life.

Three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder FND When my symptoms flare, I experience significant weakness in my arms and legs, tremors, and difficulty walking or using my hands making everyday tasks challenging. Thankfully, after starting treatment with a physiotherapist specializing in FND, I’ve already seen improvements in mobility. With continued, integrated care, I’m hopeful I can regain strength, reduce pain, and restore independence.

What is FND?

FND occurs when the brain’s “software” the communication between the brain and body is disrupted, even though the brain’s structure is healthy. This can interrupt pathways responsible for movement, sensation, speech, and thought.

My neurologists believe my condition likely developed after many months of intense chronic pain, linked to the reactivation of an old neck injury from last year. This injury traces back to a 2018 fall that caused a head injury, whiplash, and my first concussion. A recent MRI revealed a slipped disc between C4 and C5 in my cervical spine just 1mm out, but enough to cause significant pain, limit my mobility, and, along with my history of traumatic brain injury, likely acted as a trigger for FND.

Being self-employed, my ability to work directly impacts my livelihood. For over six months, I haven’t been able to work at full capacity. Due to my times in and out of hospital over the last few weeks I’ve had to cancel classes and retreats, which has been financially and emotionally challenging.

What makes this chapter even more unexpected is that what was supposed to be a short trip to visit my mom in Toronto in April has turned into a six-month odyssey. I’m deeply grateful to be a Canadian citizen with access to excellent care, yet after living in Peru for the past seven years, I’ve found myself navigating this health crisis with few community or emotional supports. Managing this journey largely on my own has been humbling.

During my time in and out of hospitals, I’ve had to lean deeply on the tools I teach mindfulness and self-compassion especially through moments of fear when walking, standing, or even holding objects became difficult. These experiences have led me to reflect on the meaning of care, community, and interdependence. I’ve realized how much our culture glorifies self-sufficiency and how isolating that belief can be when we need help. Though I’ve felt grief and shame around not being able to “do it all” myself, I’m learning to embrace the truth that healing is a collective process.

Prior to this diagnosis, I’ve already invested over $4,000 in out-of-pocket care, including:

* $1,440 on acupuncture

* $2,135 on chiropractic care

* $517.69 on supplements

The good news is that recovery from FND is possible. With specialized treatments including neuro-physiotherapy, therapeutic support, and nervous system regulation the brain can learn normal movement and control, allowing many me to regain strength, mobility, and independence.

How you can help

Your support whether financial or by sharing this campaign it will help cover ongoing treatments essential for my recovery

I’m seeking support to help cover approximately three months of continued care creating a buffer that allows me to focus on healing without the constant stress of financial strain. Your generosity will help cover the costs of the ongoing treatments that are essential for my recovery:

* **Specialized neuro-physiotherapy for FND – $175 per session (once a week)

* **Chiropractic care – $160 per session (once a week)

* **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – $150 per session (twice a month)

* **Acupuncture – $120 per session (weekly)

* **Supplements – $86 per month

This totals approximately $2,506 per month of care. Your generosity will allow me to focus fully on healing, rather than financial stress, and continue moving toward regaining my strength, independence, and the ability to return to the work I love.

Thank you for being part of this circle of community care.

Liz