My nephew, once fit, healthy and full of ambition, is now a non-verbal shadow of his former self, requiring almost round-the-clock care and placing overwhelming emotional and financial strain on his family. A fit, healthy, sport-crazy, energetic young man just 6 months ago, a severe case of Functional Neurological Disorder has now debilitated him; he cannot talk or open his eyes, needs constant care and suffers multiple seizures and falls every day. NHS resources are very limited for FND and with Cameron’s symptoms being severe and life-changing, he needs more help – and quicker – than that which is available. My family and I are therefore reaching out to ask for your support for this incredible young man and his parents and sister, who face the most difficult time of their lives.

Cameron is just 23 - a bright, popular, adventurous, kind young man with an enthusiasm for life. In December 2024, Cameron (Cam to his friends) set out on the trip of a lifetime with his best friend, travelling across Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia. It was a journey filled with excitement, personal growth and dreams of what his future would hold. Sadly, halfway through their travels, they became unwell after picking up a parasite. Cam’s best friend was hospitalised for a week in Bali but Cam, who’s symptoms were not at the time as bad, was not. Despite suffering on-going gut issues, with his ‘can do’ attitude, Cam completed his trip and returned home to the UK with plans to complete a course he was part-way through and then begin a career in a field in which he holds so much passion: health, fitness and wellness. In early July however, things quickly took a terrifying turn.

Not long after his return to the UK, Cam began experiencing strange chest pains. Days later, he was rushed to hospital where he began having multiple seizures a day. After weeks of tests, scans, EEGs and hospital visits with multiple specialists and Doctors consulting, Cameron was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This is a complex and poorly understood condition that affects how the brain and body send and receive signals. As some medical professionals have explained it: it’s a messaging problem – and Cameron’s central nervous system software isn’t working as it should. Though for some people FND is ‘triggered’ by a psychological trauma, for others it is triggered by an accident, an operation or an illness. Over the past few months Cameron has been seen by many, many Neurologists, Psychiatrists and Psychologists. As no psychological trauma can be identified (nor does Cameron’s history and current case and symptoms ‘fit the bill’ for psychological trauma) and he has been diagnosed with ‘post-parasitic IBS’ and continues to suffer ‘gut issues,’ it can only be assumed that the parasitic infection he picked up while travelling – and its’ ongoing symptoms – possibly triggered the FND.

Within a week of his initial hospital visit in July, Cameron was having up to 80 seizures a day and a month later, sometimes close to 150 a day. So frequent and severe were his seizures that he was not ‘present’ long enough to receive the treatment he so badly needs to help him get well. There were days when he was in seizure so long and so often that he was unable to eat and unable to attend appointments; there were multiple falls (Cam has no warning of an oncoming seizure) resulting in many injuries.

The first few weeks were spent in shock. “How could this healthy, happy, positive young man – with no history of any illness – suddenly be almost disabled with inexplicable seizures?” Indeed, the weekend before Cam’s first seizure ever, he had been on the golf course with his Dad and some friends! His parents then kicked into action researching, calling on friends of friends of friends who have experienced something similar for advice, emailing Doctors, Neurologists, Neuropsychiatrists, Psychologists, alternative medicine practitioners, etc - trying to find help. In November, when Cameron’s daily seizures became self-injurious, dangerous and impossible to manage at home, he was hospitalised for a month. Thankfully things were stabilised long enough for him to return home for Christmas, but Cam is far from being able to live anything close to a ‘normal life.’

Over the past 6 months, the family has faced a relentless, heartbreaking battle - from repeated A&E visits and hospital admissions with no solutions, to exhausting every possible avenue for help, only to be told there are limited resources within the NHS system and waiting lists are very long – and all the while watching their once cheerful, bright, busy son be reduced to someone unable to do anything at all. The emotional, physical, and financial toll has been overwhelming.

But there is hope.

Cameron’s family has received support privately from a Neurologist with expertise in FND and now understand that help is available - and recovery is possible. The ‘gold standard’ treatment for people with FND involves a multi-disciplinary team; in Cam’s case he will need therapy with a Neuropsychologist with expertise in FND, CBT and possibly EMDR to ‘retrain the neurons,’ many sessions with a Neuro-Physiotherapist and treatment from a Speech Therapist. (In addition to the multiple seizures, Cam has lost the ability to speak and open his eyes and he suffers multiple falls.) It is not an easy road – but many people with FND have reduced their symptoms significantly through this multi-disciplinary approach, with some going into complete remission. Cam’s Neurologist is of the opinion that there is no reason why Cam – a fit, healthy, positive young man just a few months ago with no underlying mental or long-term physical illness – cannot make a full recovery and go on to ‘live a normal life’ – provided he gets the multi-disciplinary treatment he needs. Research shows that the sooner someone with FND starts treatment, the better the results, but the cost of this treatment will be high, running into tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds.

That is why we are here, asking for your help. We are trying to raise funds to finance this essential multi-disciplinary treatment to give Cameron the chance to get his life back: to laugh, to dream, to plan for the future, to live again. Every donation, no matter how small, will go towards his treatment and recovery - which will be long and on-going.

Since July, Cameron’s family have fought every day for him, with strength and courage – and they continue to fight. But they cannot do this alone. No parent should have to watch their child suffer the way Cam is - especially when there’s a real chance of recovery.

Through all this, Cameron has remained calm and positive; there is no doubt in his mind he will recover – this is a good sign and, indeed, aids recovery. He is young and so has high neuroplasticity – a very good sign! And he is healthy, both physically and mentally. It’s just his body’s messaging system that’s ‘gone wrong’ and he needs to start an intensive treatment plan.

Please, if you are able, donate and share this page far and wide, your kindness and generosity could change a young man’s life.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with Cameron and his family.

With heartfelt gratitude.

Cameron before this all started

Cameron in seizure at home late-2025

Cameron in seizure in hospital late-2025

Cameron in seizure at home late-2025