A SINGLE mum from Winchester has set up a GoFundMe page after having her life turned upside down due to a rare neurological disorder.

Zoe Onslow, 29, was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) in December 2021 and on a daily basis can experience anything varying from seizures and chronic pain to speech problems and blackouts, all whilst trying to look after her daughter Bella, who is seven years old.

On top of this, Zoe uses a wheelchair to get around outdoors and has adapted to using her hands to grab onto things to balance her way around her home.

READ MORE: Litter-pickers in Winchester helping raise money for air ambulance charity

After Zoe’s diagnosis in December, she was eventually referred to a specialist in London in June 2022 where she then found out the current NHS waiting list for her required treatment was two and a half years long.

Due to the single mum’s worsening condition, she and her family realised that they had no choice but to search for private treatment, which is where they found the facility Hobbs in Winchester.

Zoe said: “Hobbs have helped other people with FND achieve their goals and after my initial assessment have offered me treatment programme starting in September, that would cost £10,000, dependent on my recovery rate.

“Every day I feel so guilty because not only has my daughter had to change and adapt to consider my condition, but my dad has also had to give up work to be my full-time career.

SEE ALSO: Winchester woman under nighttime curfew after being caught drink driving

"I just want to be able to me a mum again and that is why I set up the GoFundMe page – to not just receive donations towards my treatment, but also to raise awareness of FND.

“Just throughout this past week I have suffered from 12 seizures, and I would say the one of the worst parts of this condition is the memory loss.

"Recently when I was out with close friends and family at a café, which we had been many times before, I managed to stop two seizures from happening, but not the third.

"It made me flop back and fall asleep, but when I woke up, I couldn’t remember who anyone was, including my daughter and I was in that state - my mum tells me - for half an hour or so. It just makes you think, what if that happens again, will I get my memory back?”

Zoe said she believes a part of the problem is that not enough people, including doctors, know what FND is, so there aren’t enough people to help all those are suffering from the condition.

This is why she joined the Facebook support group called FND action, which has provided a “nice support system”.

To people who are also suffering from FND or any type of restricting disorder, Zoe advises that on your worst days “know you’re not alone, to hold onto one positive thing that happened that day to keep you going and to never give up.”

To donate to Zoe’s GoFundMe page and find out more about her story, go to gofundme.com/f/help-zoe-with-her-treatment

 

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.

Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.

Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.

Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.

Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.