Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

I started this summer off as any 18 year old would. I was excited for college and eagerly exploring new dance opportunities. But on the flip of a dime, my whole life, and what felt like my entire future, came crashing down around me. One night I was jolted awake by pain like I had never felt before in my legs. The next morning, I couldn't walk. Over the next 3 weeks, I went from doctor to doctor, desperate for an answer as to how I could go from a ballerina to being unable to walk literally overnight. After several misdiagnoses and multiple ER visits, I was finally admitted to Johns Hopkin's Hospital where I was diagnosed with FND. Since the diagnosis, my entire life has changed. I cannot dance due to extreme pain, fatigue, and tremors in my entire body. I had to defer from college in order to get the extensive treatment I need to get better. Every day is a struggle, but I am slowly adapting to my new "normal." I was one of the lucky cases, some go years without a diagnosis, others have symptoms much worse than mine. Every donation is a chance for me and so many others to get back to things we love doing. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donation, thank you for giving me hope.