The Story

Real Hope Inspires is a source to help motivate and provide hope through learning about real life stories.

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I started this company to help others and offer some light when the world seems to becoming darker. Having navigated life for the past 15 years with a neurological disorder, I wanted to create a safe space for others to share their stories, be motivated and inspired by others.

 

So, here we are.. 

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My story:

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When I was 19 I woke up fully paralysed down the left side of my body, including my face. It was terrifying, no one knew what was going on and I was admitted to hospital. 

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At the time medical staff didn’t really know what was going on even though they had run multiple tests. It took a year and a half to fully recover.

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As an active person this had always been a dream to live a life in the mountains So, when I was fully recovered and back to “normal” after about a year and a half of physiotherapy and my own rehabilitation that's exactly what I did. 

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Little episodes were  still happening, but I panned them off as they weren’t lasting too long – a couple of days or minutes here and there.

When I returned, episodes were coming in thick, lots of issues were happening, drop attacks, spasms, pain…lots of pain, visionary, extreme fatigue – you name it, it was happening. Physical challenges always affected my left side.

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Then, in 2021, I woke up completely paralysed in both legs, unable to feel or move them. This was the first time it had affected both left and right legs.

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Again, taken into hospital, where I was admitted to a ward (just after covid) with limited access to see my children. This was possibly my worst experience to date.

It took almost 6 months to recover fully from this episode of paralysis.

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As a "stubborn" person, when these episodes do occur – I tackle them head on.​

Now, I can recognise that episodes are starting to occur. I pause everything, and reflect, think what is going on, what needs to change. And try to change it.​

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I manage my episodes myself, how I know best. By looking after my body and mind (CrossFit has a lot to do with this). There are so many little tactics, used daily to try and prevent things from happening. I refuse to take medication unless absolutely essential. Instead, I use hot and cold therapy for pain management. 

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There is no such thing as a fully healthy person – everyone has some form of something.  I am now more than used to what happens to me and I truly believe how we manage issues is what is important.

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Don't get me wrong, things are unbelievable difficult, variable and beyond disheartening. But should I let that stop me.. No.

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Without my FND, I would never have travelled the world, had my children, lived in a dream landscape, met some of the most inspirational people, or started this new venture – It has taken away a lot of my life, but the positives by far outweigh the negatives – and that is something I will always hold onto and share.

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Previously I would have never spoke out about what was happening – If I was having an episode, I would hide away and make sure no one knew about it. But now I believe, if I can help at least one person by speaking about my experience, then hopefully this will all be worth it.

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Now, is our opportunity to share our stories, help others to learn and grow through shared experiences. 

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