Heather’s Story | FND Awareness Day UK 2026

FND has been my constant passenger for over 12 years.

I’m fortunate as my FND still allows me to stay employed. It has been both a privilege and brutal experience working with FND as the modern workplace have needed to accept my frequent ‘quirks’. I tell them my particular FND symptoms look odd but yes, I can work, and no, I don’t need to go home (just ignore my slurred speech and non working arm for this afternoon please Boss!!)

Before I was ill I studied hard, got a degree, worked fiercely then got FND and overnight it killed my chosen career dead. But with absolute determination, kindness, stubbornness and good people I have thrived in my career down a slightly different path.

FND I’ve learned doesn’t need to be burden, embrace what you can do, enjoy the little things and smile. My normal is not most people’s normal but I still feel extremely blessed. FND is just part of me but I’ve long ago given up feeling that it will hold me back.

My advice : pick good people to surround you (it helps if you find a partner/friend who is strong enough to occasionally drag you out of a car, upstairs, off the toilet seat or out of a shop because the lights are too damn bright so your legs switch off!!!) , avoid stress and negativity, laugh, keep your humour and when you are having a ‘good day’ don’t go crazy and do a million tonne of things as the next week you will regret it!!

~ By Heather, Age 46