A young woman whose life ‘changed overnight’ after being struck down by a neurological condition says she is ‘overwhelmed’ by the support she has received.
Tia Murphy says she was a ‘happy, healthy, outgoing, and active young woman’ until she woke up one day in February this year unable to walk properly.
The 26-year-old from Douglas has since being diagnosed with complex condition Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and now says she is having to turn to private treatment in the UK as there is no permanent neurology department in the island.
She launched a fundraising bid and now says she has been able to start some of her private treatment.
Tia said: ‘The fundraising is going amazingly! I’m so overwhelmed with the amount of support I have received. I have nearly hit my target, with just over £2000 left to raise in order to start my private rehabilitation in the UK.
‘I have now started neurophysio and hydrotherapy with Manx Care and my first private UK appointment is coming up in November.
‘I’m starting to see small improvements and feeling much better about the future. There’s a long road ahead, but I finally feel like I’m on the right path.’
The former flight attendant’s condition came on quite suddenly which she admits was a scary experience.
She previously said: ‘Until February of this year, I was a happy, healthy, outgoing, and active young woman. But my life changed overnight when I woke up one morning unable to walk properly.
‘It was incredibly frightening. Losing control so suddenly, not knowing whether I would ever recover, whether I could walk again, if I would ever be me again.
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‘After months of uncertainty, I was recently diagnosed with FND which is a complex neurological condition where the brain struggles to send and receive the correct signals to the body. In my case, this has severely affected my ability to walk and carry out everyday activities.
‘Since then, my symptoms have continued to worsen. I am now reliant on a wheelchair and experience a range of debilitating symptoms.’
The symptoms Tia has suffered include seizures, tremors, chronic pain, nausea, speech difficulties, swallowing problems and severe fatigue.
Tia turned to crowdfunding to help ensure she gets the treatment she needs which she says cannot get on the island’s NHS within a reasonable timeframe.
‘Due to the lack of specialist services and long waiting lists,’ she said, ‘my best chance of recovery is to seek private treatment. After extensive research I have found a neuro clinic in Manchester with specialists experienced in treating FND.
Tia has set up a justgiving page to help raise funds with a target of £7,200 which will go towards private consultations with FND specialist neurologists, and other treatment. She has so far raised just over £5,000.
Manx Care says there is support in the island for those with neurological conditions with specialist care available in the UK.
A spokesperson said: ‘Manx Care provides neurological care and support for patients in the Isle of Man through on-island services and specialist input from visiting clinicians, alongside referrals to UK centres where clinically appropriate.’
You can visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helptiawalkagain to donate money for Tia’s treatment.
