This isn’t easy for me to write.

I’m fiercely private. Asking for help does not come naturally. But this condition has very nearly broken me and right now, I need help to keep going.

I used to be athletic and strong. You’d find me climbing mountains, hiking deep into the forest, swimming in the sea. Movement was my medicine. It made me feel alive.

Then the trauma caught up with me.

Years of emotional, spiritual, and physical abuse left scars I couldn’t put into words - so my body spoke for me.

It shut down. Literally.

My right side particularly, refused to co - operate, mirroring a stroke.

I was diagnosed with a neurological condition, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) –

a condition where the nervous system stops sending proper signals to the body. My brain couldn’t tell my body what to do anymore. I began falling - over and over again. No warning. No control.

My balance went.

My coordination went.

My strength disappeared.

My body said no.

The progression of this condition over the last 2 years has been relentless, almost completely eroding my ability to function independently, things got so bad I couldn’t get out of a chair without help.

I couldn’t walk unassisted.

I couldn’t dress or care for myself independently and was falling repeatedly as my loss of coordination and stability worsened.

Chronic pain in my joints was making life almost unbearable.

I had very nearly lost all hope.

FND is a complex condition where the nervous system fails to send and receive signals properly, disabling functional motor movement. In short the normal pathways our brain uses to communicate with our body to move, feel, speak, walk, and/or think, are disrupted.

Without treatment, few patients recover. It is a condition that is poorly understood, and even more poorly supported. Very few recover without specialist help, and few have the funds to access.

A few months ago, I found a video of someone who had recovered with the help of Petr Mach, Alejandra's Journey at Functional Therapy in Bournemouth.

I reached out to Petr, and everything changed.

Petr got it. As one of the few Functional Patterns specialists in the UK he understood what was happening in my body.

He has been treating me for the last 5 months - completely free of charge. His approach integrates biomechanical correction, osteopathic techniques, to restore the body’s natural movement patterns and function.

Alongside this Petr uses myofascial release which can support the body to release the physical imprint of trauma and re calibrate the nervous system.

The work is intense. It’s hard. But it’s working.

My body is waking up and I’m starting to move again. There’s a long way to go, but I finally have hope that I can get my life back.

Why I Need Your Help

To have a real shot at regaining my independence and walking again, I need to keep going with this therapy. But we can’t do it alone.

We’re aiming to raise £40,000 to fund an 18-month programme that includes:

I'm covering my own travel and accommodation - over £1,000 a month - just to make it to treatment. But we need help to fund the therapy itself.

This is about more than just walking. It’s about reclaiming a life that trauma stole.

If you can help - in any way - I’d be so deeply grateful. Every donation, every share, every bit of support gets me closer to literally standing on my own two feet again.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.

More details on Functional Therapy at: Functional Therapy

Huge thanks to Rav at Be Inspired Films for his beautiful insight, patience and generosity in making this film.