At just 24, J’s life changed dramatically when he experienced a sudden and severe onset of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Within two weeks, he had lost his speech, was experiencing functional seizures and could no longer walk. He needed a wheelchair and struggled to eat safely because of the risk of choking. Over three months, his weight fell from 90kg to 72kg.
“I felt like I was out of the world for two months,” J remembers.
Feeling misunderstood and disconnected
When J first came to Resilience Neuro Specialists, he was highly sensitive to light and could manage only limited interaction. He relied on a communication board to express himself.
J and his family had received little practical guidance and faced long waits for specialist support. They were also trying to understand a condition that is often misunderstood.
“I felt like people were saying it was ‘all in my head’. No one understood the illness, and some people thought it was fake. My family didn’t know what to do.”
From his first visit to Resilience, J felt welcomed and listened to.
“As soon as I came here, everyone was really nice. I could use my word board, and they understood how to communicate with me.”
A rehabilitation programme built around J
J’s personalised rehabilitation brought together physiotherapy, neuropsychology, and speech and language therapy. His team worked closely with him and his family, adapting the programme as his abilities and needs changed. Physiotherapy helped J retrain movement, maintain his walking and rebuild the strength he had lost.
“My muscle memory is coming back. Physio is helping me keep the walking going and rebuild my strength to a level where I feel content.”
Neuropsychology helped J and his girlfriend understand FND and begin processing what had happened. It gave him a safe space to explore the relationship between trauma, stress and his symptoms without feeling dismissed.
“The psychologist has been brilliant in helping me and my girlfriend understand and process what has happened to me. I feel like I’m moving beyond the trauma, dealing with it and sharing it.”
Speech and language therapy was especially important during the early stages of J’s rehabilitation. His voice was one of the first functions to return. After four sessions, he had progressed enough to complete this part of his programme.
Turning determination into meaningful progress
J’s recovery has involved clinical milestones, and also significant changes to his relationships, routines and sense of identity. His progress includes:
- Regaining his speech and no longer needing a communication board
- Progressing from using a wheelchair to walking independently
- Returning to eating safely
- Rebuilding his strength and physical confidence
- Developing a clearer understanding of FND and his symptoms
- Learning how to recognise and work within his limits
- Returning to work and benefiting from a regular routine
- Beginning to plan a gradual return to football
“I’m going to get better. As soon as I could concentrate, I did the best I could. I know I’m getting better every day.”
J understands that FND has affected the people closest to him as well as his own life.
“When a younger person has this, everyone needs to be supported. I’m going through it, but so are my family. It’s a big mental game. You have to carry on and keep moving forward.”
Supporting J’s girlfriend and family to understand his condition has therefore been an important part of his rehabilitation.
The next goal: returning to football
Returning to work has been another major step forward. The structure and routine are helping J reconnect with the life he had before becoming unwell. Before developing FND, J played five-a-side football around the country and coached others. Football remains an important part of who he is, and returning to it is now a powerful goal.
“My next goal is to get back to football. I was coaching and playing five-a-side around the country. I really want to try it again, but slowly.”
J and his rehabilitation team agree that progress must continue at a steady and manageable pace. The aim is to build safe and sustainable improvements.
Moving forward with confidence
J has progressed from being unable to walk, speak or eat safely to walking independently, returning to work and preparing for a gradual return to the sport he loves. Just as importantly, he now understands more about his condition, his abilities and how to respond when things feel difficult.
“I feel more positive. I understand my limits and abilities, and I know how to work through them. This is the sort of place you need.”
J continues to move forward with courage, patience and the support of his interdisciplinary team. His journey shows what can become possible when specialist rehabilitation, personalised care and individual determination come together.
Every person’s experience of FND and rehabilitation is different. Progress, timescales and support needs will vary.
The Resilience approach: our specialist FND pathway
Every person’s experience of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is different. Our specialist FND pathway provides personalised rehabilitation shaped around each person’s symptoms, circumstances and goals.
Following a detailed assessment, our interdisciplinary team works together to provide coordinated support. Depending on the person’s needs, this may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and neuropsychology.
The pathway can support people to better understand their condition, retrain movement and communication, manage their energy and symptoms, rebuild confidence, and work towards meaningful goals such as greater independence, returning to work or taking part in valued activities.
We also recognise the impact FND can have on families and relationships. Where appropriate, we help relatives and others close to the individual understand the condition and learn how they can support rehabilitation.
Support is delivered at the Resilience Therapy Centre or within the community, with the pathway reviewed and adapted as the person’s needs and abilities change.
To discuss a referral or find out whether our FND pathway may be suitable, contact Resilience Neuro Specialists.
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