Charities Come Together for FND Awareness Day UK

The 3^rd FND Awareness Day UK takes place on 25^th March 2019. Charities and organisations from across the UK are joining together to raise awareness for the little-known conditions Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Non Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD). This year, the focus will be on the carers who do so much to help and support those diagnosed with the theme #WeCare4FND

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) encompasses a diverse range of symptoms including functional limb weakness and movement disorders, functional and dissociative attacks (non-epileptic), sensory problems, cognitive problems, visual and speech symptoms amongst others.

Whilst the symptoms may appear similar to neurological diseases including those of Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Epilepsy, and are associated with similar levels of disability and distress, they are not caused by structural disease of the nervous system. Instead, it is a problem with how the nervous system is functioning. The condition affects men, women and children of all ages and is commonly seen in neurology clinics.

However, there is very little awareness amongst the medical profession and even less amongst the general public. The hope is that with the concerted effort of all the participants, this awareness day will reach out to an even greater audience than before.

Taking part will be charities FND Action, FND Dimensions and FND FrieNDs and organisations Friends in NEAD, Younger FND Fighters, Functional Neurological Disorder, Functional Movement Disorder and FND Matters Northern Ireland.

The #WeCare4FND theme will include the opportunity for people with FND to post thank you messages to their carers on a virtual ‘Share to Care’ wall, for carers to share their stories, for young carers to have a chance of winning a FiNDlay bear, and lots of events such as meetups and a first ever event around FND in Northern Ireland. New events are being added all the time.

This year FND Awareness Day UK will be bigger and better, shining a spotlight on a little known and poorly understood condition that affects thousands of people across the UK.

To find out how you can get involved and to learn more about the charities taking part, visit https://www.fndaction.org.uk/fnd-awareness-day-uk/