Lillie Thorne had felt well before going to bed. But when the 22-year-old woke up on October 2, the left side of her face was drooping. Within days, she had also lost the ability to walk and speak, her family said.
Her aunt, Ashleigh Thorne, said the sudden change came without warning. Lillie was initially diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and given medication. When her condition worsened, she returned to the hospital for further assessment.
Further tests led to an FND diagnosis
Lillie was admitted to Furness General Hospital, where she underwent investigations and was assessed by a neurologist. Her family says doctors diagnosed Functional Neurological Disorder, or FND. During her hospital stay, she experienced repeated seizures, some of which left her unresponsive.
FND affects how the brain and nervous system function. Symptoms can affect movement, speech and other abilities. They are real, even when tests do not show structural damage to the nervous system.
Lillie was discharged on October 22. By early November, her family said she had regained some ability to speak, though she continued to have speech difficulties and seizures. She remained unable to walk and had been referred for physiotherapy.
Her family is seeking specialist support
The sudden illness has changed daily life for Lillie and her relatives. Her family says she needs round-the-clock care, requiring loved ones to take time away from work to support her.
They hope to arrange specialist FND assessment and rehabilitation in Leeds. According to the family, Lillie does not meet the criteria for a specialist service in Liverpool, so they are exploring private care. Fundraising is intended to help cover consultations, rehabilitation, travel and related expenses.
Her family hopes the support will help Lillie work toward rebuilding her mobility, speech and independence. For now, they are focused on caring for her through a difficult and unexpected recovery.