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Conscious But Paralyzed: Rural Mum Battles Rare FND
14 Feb
Summary
- Farmer's hands turned blue, leading to paralysis and speech loss.
- Diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a brain signal disruption.
- Limited support on remote farm due to condition's non-disability status.
A rural mother's life was dramatically altered when her hands suddenly turned blue, followed by an inability to speak, open her eyes, or lift her arms, despite remaining fully conscious. This 37-year-old farmer has since been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that disrupts the brain's signal processing, causing real physical symptoms without structural brain damage.
Her episodes, which can mimic seizures but leave her aware, began in September 2025. Doctors, initially baffled, confirmed the FND diagnosis. This disorder can manifest as tremors, speech difficulties, and fatigue. For Kaitie, the lack of formal disability recognition severely limits her access to essential therapies like physiotherapy and psychological support, especially given her remote location in Coonabarabran, NSW.
Navigating daily tasks such as grocery shopping and taking children to school is arduous without driving privileges for three months. The isolation of farm life, potentially exacerbated by past stresses like drought, may have contributed to her condition. She is now advocating for greater awareness of FND, sharing her story to help others and seeking community support for mounting medical costs.
