Hi, I'm Inés. I'm a 26-year-old physiotherapist from Dublin. I was diagnosed last year with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a rare neurological condition affecting communication between the brain and the body. It can manifest in many ways, but the most disabling features in my case are severe difficulty with walking and balance, and uncontrollable, involuntary movements. I also have issues with vision, swallowing, insomnia and sensation.

Although just recently named, FND has been part of my life since I was 14. This then-unexplained condition was manageable until a sudden decline in late 2024. I was a few months into my first hospital job as a qualified physiotherapist when one day I lost the ability to walk. Over the last year or so, my abilities have fluctuated, but I have been unable to work and largely housebound for months now. I am unemployed and will be so for the foreseeable future until I can rely on my legs to walk again. Three consultants with expertise in FND have identified a need for intensive neurological rehabilitation in my case. The level of care I need is unfortunately not available anywhere in Ireland at present. I have looked into applying for treatment through the British NHS, but the centres themselves have told me waiting lists there are 18 months to two years. Genuinely, things have gotten so unbearable that I can't wait that long anymore.

A highly experienced neurology team at the Wellington Hospital's Acute Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, based in London, have assessed me and agreed to admit me to their care for a minimum of six weeks intensive day hospital rehabilitation, which they believe I could benefit greatly from. For six weeks, there is a cost of €60,000 for the treatment itself, not including the accommodation, food and transport I would need to source separately - this is the additional €4000. My health insurance has refused to provide any cover - they only cover surgeries abroad - and having been unwaged for a year with significant medical expenses, I don't have the means to fund this myself. The hospital will take me on ASAP, once I submit payment in advance.

(The current fundraising target is set at €34,000. There's a good chance that I can secure a loan for the rest if I reach this point. That loan will need to be paid back so I'll keep the fundraiser going up to €64,000 if possible, but even if we reach €34k, that could be enough to make this happen.)

Those who know me know that this is the latest chapter in a long story. Without going into too much detail, I have been fighting a lifelong battle with a number of severe mental health conditions and have endured complex traumas. I love physiotherapy, and my education/career was always my ticket to independence, security and a stable life. Those dreams which kept me going through many dark years, including ten months in hospital over the last decade, were dashed when I suddenly became too unwell to work. I continue to face significant environmental challenges and the stress has a massive impact on my FND, so it's a vicious cycle. The only way forward I can see at this point is to get the rehab I need so I can have a chance to get back to the workforce, break free and start living my own life.

It's really difficult to take this step and appeal to strangers on the internet for help, but after over a year of trying unsuccessfully to push through it, cut corners with my health and find a solution by myself, I'm accepting that I can't do this on my own anymore. I'm conscious that this is a huge amount of money and a big ask, but please don't be discouraged from making a contribution if you can. Every small donation adds up. I don't know if I'll achieve this fundraising goal fully, but every cent donated will go towards treatment and I'll do whatever I can to make ends meet. If the treatment never comes to fruition in the end, I will absolutely refund all donations through GoFundMe.

I promise I will keep you up to date and I pray to God that this will be a turning point in my life.

Thank you SO much for your generosity, whether that is in sharing, praying, donating or whatever else.

With love and prayers,

Inés