Living with FND: One Man’s Journey of Resilience, Awareness, and Hope

Written By: Liam Virgo

Raising Awareness About Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a complex and often misunderstood condition, affecting the way the brain sends and receives signals, without any structural damage showing on scans. For many, this invisibility leads to judgment, misdiagnosis, and years of silent suffering. But awareness is growing, thanks to people brave enough to share their stories.

Here we highlight the experience of one man who has chosen to use his voice to bring understanding, hope, and empowerment to others living with FND.

A Life Changed Overnight

A Sudden Onset No One Could Explain

2016 was the year my life changed. My cognitive and physical skills rapidly deteriorated to the point where I had all my abilities taken away from me. I had to leave school as it wasn’t safe for me due to my sudden deterioration. Within a few days, I lost my ability to walk and talk. I was rushed to the hospital for testing, where I then came out four months later with a diagnosis of severe Functional Neurological Disorder.

I don’t remember the early days of FND, and life before it is a blur. For six months, my mind went blank, and I didn’t know who or what anything was. Eventually, my brain functioning improved, and I could understand what was happening. FND struck again when it caused me to lose the ability to sit up. I was given different types of wheelchairs, but nothing was suitable due to my deteriorating posture. It got to the stage where my body couldn’t tolerate being on any form of equipment apart from my hospital bed. I was then bed-bound due to my FND. I was bedridden for three years. I felt trapped inside my own body. It was like being awake inside a body that had stopped working. I was very poorly and needed 24-hour care.

I was non-verbal for a year, but then with support, hope, and determination, my life began to change. I slowly started to learn how to talk again. When I was poorly, I found comfort in a few things, and one of them was London. I formed a special bond with the capital, and it was my dream to visit the city, but due to my FND, I wasn’t well enough to go.

It’s been a long, hard battle with my FND, painful and very isolating. After three long years, my FND started to improve. My arms were beginning to move again, and my body didn’t feel so locked/stiff anymore. My body then began the process of learning to sit up again. It took a while until my body was ready to sit in a wheelchair, but it eventually happened after months of overcoming my severe FND. I was basically recovering from being bed-bound for years.

One of my first trips after being bedridden was to London. I was off to the capital, and it was everything I had seen, heard, and imagined. I’ve been back many times since to my favourite place and visiting the city is part of my rehabilitation.

When I was 13 years old, I acquired a life-changing disability that would have a major impact on my life for years to come. FND placed me in a wheelchair, then caused me to become bedridden and locked inside my own body. The impact of having severe FND is still felt in my body to this day. I still have very difficult days with my illness, but I’m determined to never give up hope for the future. In recent years, I’ve made huge progress in regaining my mobility and speech. I’m rebuilding my lif,e and the future is hopefully looking brighter for me because I know if I can get through all of that, I can get through anything.

My message I want to get across is that just because FND doesn’t show up on a scan, it doesn’t mean it’s not real. FND is a very real and debilitating condition that needs more awareness and understanding. There have been times my FND symptoms haven’t been understood due to a lack of understanding, and this is what I’m trying to change. By sharing my story, I hope that by doing it will raise awareness about the condition. I’ve had a very long and emotional journey with my FND. My next wish is to go abroad to Cyprus. I have lots of new and exciting plans. At 13, I lost my voice, freedom, and mobility to FND, but I’m now more determined than ever not to let my FND hold me back from doing anything.

Understanding FND: What It Is and What It Isn’t

When the Brain’s Wiring Misfires

FND is a disorder of the nervous system where signals between the brain and body become disrupted. Unlike diseases that cause physical damage to the brain, FND affects function, how the brain processes information, and controls movement, sensation, and perception.

Symptoms may include:

Limb weakness or paralysis
Tremors or involuntary movements
Seizure-like episodes (non-epileptic attacks)
Difficulty walking
Speech problems
Memory or concentration issues
Chronic pain
Fatigue

FND is real, serious, and life-altering, yet often dismissed or misunderstood.

The Struggles Behind the Smile

Invisible Symptoms, Visible Consequences

Liam, the man at the centre of this story, often says that one of the hardest parts of living with FND is that people cannot see what he is battling.

Liam has faced:

Misunderstanding by employers
Accusations of “exaggeration.”
Doubts from people who assume symptoms are psychological
The fear of an unpredictable body
The grief of losing old abilities
Social isolation due to mobility challenges and fatigue
Mental health struggles from uncertainty and chronic symptoms

FND can affect every aspect of life, identity, independence, employment, and relationships.

Yet through all of this, he continues to fight.

Innovations and Therapies: What Helps in Managing FND

A Holistic Approach to Recovery

While there is no single cure for FND, many people improve with a combination of therapies. Recent innovations and research focus on retraining the brain’s pathways.

Current Therapies and Approaches

Neurophysiotherapy: Retrains brain-body communication through targeted movement therapy
Specialist FND Physiotherapy: Teaches grounding techniques, movement control, and gait retraining
Occupational Therapy: Helps adjust daily activities and conserve energy
Psychotherapy (CBT or trauma-focused): Supports emotional regulation and identifies stress triggers
Somatic Therapy: Reconnects the mind and body to reduce functional symptoms
Education-Based Rehabilitation: Understanding FND reduces fear and improves outcomes
Speech and Language Therapy: For speech or swallowing difficulties

Emerging Innovations

Virtual reality therapy for movement retraining
Biofeedback devices help regulate breathing and muscle activity
Neuromodulation research studying how electrical stimulation may improve brain signalling
Specialised FND recovery programmes are now available in various hospitals

These approaches do not claim to cure FND, but they restore hope and function, giving people back parts of their lives they feared lost forever.

Daily Management Tips for People Living with FND

Small Adjustments, Big Differences

Pacing: Avoiding burnout by balancing activity with rest
Grounding techniques: Using sensory focus to stop episodes from escalating
Mobility aids when needed: Wheelchairs, canes, or walkers to conserve energy
Stress reduction: Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises
Sleep routines: Maintaining predictable sleep patterns
Education: Learning about FND reduces fear and increases control
Support networks: Connecting with FND communities online or in support groups

Managing FND is a lifelong journey, but there are tools that make the path easier.

Why Awareness Matters

Ending Misconceptions and Promoting Compassion

People with FND deserve understanding, dignity, and timely treatment. By sharing his story, this man hopes to build bridges between patients, healthcare providers, and society.

Awareness leads to:

Faster diagnosis
Better treatment access
Reduced stigma
More understanding from employers, family, and friends
A community of support

Liam’s courage in speaking up is an act of empowerment, not just for himself, but for everyone living with an invisible illness.

Conclusion: Hope, Courage, and the Power of Sharing

FND can transform a person’s life overnight, bringing uncertainty, fear, and physical challenges. But it also reveals incredible strength. This man’s story is a testament to the human ability to adapt, persevere, and rise beyond the limits illness tries to impose.

By sharing his journey, Liam shines a light for others walking the same path.

Awareness is healing. Storytelling is empowerment. And resilience is the quiet force that keeps hope alive.