Lillie Thorne, 22, was healthy, fit and had no reason to suspect anything was wrong when she woke up on October 2 with the left side of her face paralyzed. Within a short time, she had lost the ability to walk or talk.
It all began when Lillie woke up one morning and the left side of her face had drooped.
“What is so heartbreaking is that it is completely random, it came out of nowhere,” her auntie, Ashleigh Thorne, said, according to UNILAD. “She was fit and healthy before.”
The 22-year-old had reportedly felt completely fine before going to bed, with no signs that anything was wrong.
At the hospital, Lillie was initially diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which is “a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face,” according to Mayo Clinic.
Suffered multiple seizures a day
Just a few days later, however, she lost the ability to talk and walk, according to a GoFundMe page launched by her aunt.
“Lillie was admitted to Furness General Hospital, where she underwent numerous investigations. Following assessment by a neurologist, she was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). During her admission, Lillie suffered multiple seizures a day, some leaving her unresponsive,” the page reads.
According to Cleveland Clinic, the condition “is a neuropsychiatric (or brain-based) disorder that affects the way your brain sends, receives and processes messages.”
Lillie has since been released from the hospital but is still unable to walk. She has been referred for physiotherapy in the hope of regaining her mobility and independence, although it remains unclear how much progress she will be able to make.
She now needs specialist care
The GoFundMe page continued: “Although Lillie is strong-minded and has an incredible support network around her, this has understandably had a huge impact on her mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as her physical health. At just 22, facing such a sudden and life-changing condition is frightening and overwhelming.
“This has also taken a significant toll on her family. Lillie currently requires 24-hour care, meaning her loved ones have had to take time off work to ensure she is safe and supported. This has placed additional emotional, practical and financial pressure on the family.”
Now, her family is hoping to get her specialist treatment in Leeds and is asking for financial help: “Unfortunately, she does not meet the threshold for the specialist service in Liverpool, meaning private consultation and rehabilitation are being explored as an alternative. This is where we need your help.
“With Lillie requiring round-the-clock care, fundraising will also help ease some of the financial strain on her family as they take time away from work to care for her and support her recovery.”
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