Teen girl walks into hospital expecting 4-day stay; walks out 2 years later after complete paralysis scare
By the age of 16, things had worsened so severely that she lost the ability to speak and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors suspected she may have suffered a stroke. She was only meant to stay for four days of testing—but ended up leaving two years later, completely paralysed.
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Unable to walk, talk, or even open her eyes, Megan was told she might never move again. Eventually, she was diagnosed with
Functional Neurological Disorder
(FND), a condition where the brain struggles to send and receive signals properly, leading to a wide range of
neurological symptoms
.
Now 20, Megan is preparing to move into her own home and hopes to become a nail technician—an inspiring turnaround after years of medical challenges, according to a BBC report.
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She spent time in the Eagle Wood Neurological Care Centre in Peterborough, far from her family in Bath. 'At 18, I was still just a baby,' she told the BBC. 'I'd never been on my own before. It was tough for me, but even harder for my parents to leave me there. I was paralysed from the neck down. I couldn't see, talk, or do anything for myself.'
After 18 months of intensive therapy, Megan can now move her body, speak, and see again. Although she is unable to walk due to painful knee contractions, she is awaiting surgery and remains hopeful.
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'I never thought I'd be planning a future when I moved into the care home. Doctors told my parents to prepare for the worst. They didn't think I'd make it to 18—and here I am at 20.'
She's now saving up to enrol in an online nail technician course and looks forward to moving in with her boyfriend. 'I really can't wait. I'm so excited,' she said.
FND Action, a support organisation, explains that the disorder affects how the brain functions rather than its structure. Symptoms can include
paralysis
, seizures, limb weakness, spasms, and walking difficulties.
Though once thought to stem solely from emotional trauma, modern understanding recognises trauma as just one risk factor rather than the root cause. Unfortunately, stigma and misunderstanding still surround the condition.
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