Hi! My name is Sam, and I am a college student. In my free time, I enjoy creating short-form videos, editing, writing slam poetry, doing photography, and going to the gym.

I was diagnosed with FND at age 13, and like many others, I had no clue about the journey that was in store for me. My first symptoms were seizures and tics, but by the time I was 15 I had over 20 FND symptoms. I was often using a wheelchair, and I was reliant on a feeding tube due to a functional swallowing problem. Thankfully, I found FNDcourage. The FNDcourage online course helped me tremendously in understanding my condition, as well as taking the first steps to live my life according to my nervous system.

I was also fortunate enough to attend the 2024 FNDcourage teen retreat, which completely changed the course of my life. I was quickly surrounded by support I had never felt before, and felt hope for the first time in years that I could one day become symptom free. Soon, my dreams had become reality, as I began to integrate skills that I learned through FNDcourage into my daily life.

To show my gratitude, I began to create content about FNDcourage, which I share on my Instagram. I am forever grateful for the chance to create the life I want to live, and to spread awareness and resources to those in need.