Lillie Thorne, 22, was healthy and physically fit, with no reason to believe anything was wrong when she woke up on October 2 with the left side of her face paralyzed. Within a short period, she had also lost the ability to walk or speak.
The frightening experience began when Lillie woke up one morning and noticed that the left side of her face had suddenly drooped.
“What is so heartbreaking is that it is completely random, it came out of nowhere,” her aunt, Ashleigh Thorne, said, according to UNILAD. “She was fit and healthy before.”
The 22-year-old had reportedly felt perfectly fine before going to bed, with no warning signs that something was wrong.
After being taken to hospital, Lillie was initially diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Suffered Multiple Seizures a Day
Just days later, however, Lillie experienced another devastating development. She lost the ability to walk and talk, according to a GoFundMe page established 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 fundraising page explained.
According to Cleveland Clinic, Functional Neurological Disorder is a neuropsychiatric condition that affects how the brain sends, receives and processes messages.
Lillie has since been discharged from hospital, but she remains unable to walk.
She has been referred for physiotherapy in the hope that she can gradually regain her mobility and independence. However, it is still unclear how much progress she will be able to make during her recovery.
She Now Needs Specialist Care
The GoFundMe page also described the emotional and physical challenges Lillie and her family are facing.
“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.”
Her relatives are now hoping to arrange specialist treatment for her in Leeds and have appealed to the public for financial support.
The fundraising page explained that Lillie does not meet the eligibility requirements for the specialist service in Liverpool, leaving private consultations and rehabilitation as possible alternatives.
“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.”
Her family is hoping the specialist treatment and rehabilitation will give Lillie an opportunity to regain her independence and rebuild her life after the sudden and unexpected health crisis.
