A resident at Woolston House care home, run by complex needs provider Exemplar Health Care, is sharing her powerful story of living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) to mark FND Awareness Day today.
Jess Prentice has experienced first-hand the life-changing and often unpredictable impact of the condition, which can cause a wide range of symptoms, including paralysis and seizures.
FND is a fluctuating condition, with symptoms that can ease and return unpredictably. For Jess, this has included paralysis in both legs, with mobility gained through physiotherapy and then lost again during flare-ups. Stress, both physical and psychological, can also play a significant role in triggering symptoms.
Discussing the symptoms she experiences on a day-to-day basis, Jess said: “I’ve experienced paralysis in both of my legs in the past. Through physiotherapy, I was able to regain movement, but it has since happened again. That’s how the condition can work. It can be triggered by stress, whether that’s emotional stress or physical strain on the body, such as being unwell.”
Jess’s journey with FND has been complex. After experiencing a severe flare-up, she spent eight months in hospital – despite being well enough to leave after five months, she remained there due to a lack of suitable accommodation that could meet her individual needs.
Woolston House provides expert care, rehabilitation and support for adults living with complex needs, including neurological conditions like FND. The home delivers person-centred care tailored to each person, including physiotherapy, support with daily living, and meaningful activities designed to promote independence and wellbeing.
When Jess arrived at Woolston House, she used a wheelchair. With regular, adaptive physiotherapy sessions, she is now able to walk short distances. The care team supports her through the unpredictability of her condition, adapting day-to-day care to meet her needs and ensuring she feels supported during flare-ups.
“At Woolston House, they understand that every day is different,” Jess said. “They support me through flare-ups and help me with everyday things, which makes a huge difference.”
This approach reflects Exemplar Health Care’s model of care, with support spanning clinical care, emotional wellbeing, and opportunities to build confidence and independence.
Since moving to Woolston House, Jess has developed a strong sense of purpose. She is a Service User Ambassador, working with team members and management to represent residents’ voices and help shape how care services are developed.
She has contributed to making activities more personalised to meet the diverse needs of people living at the home and has also taken part in recruitment interviews, building her skills and confidence.
Creative activities have played an important role in her wellbeing. With support from the team, she has explored arts and crafts, taken part in pottery sessions, and learned to knit.
Reflecting on the activities she enjoys at Woolston House, Jess said: “My favourite thing to do here is arts and crafts. I enjoy diamond art, knitting, crochet and painting. I’m very creative, and the activities team does so much to support that. They’ve even looked into arranging pottery lessons for me, which has been a great opportunity to try something new and learn new skills.
What really stands out is how supportive the staff are. They even taught me how to knit. It’s not something they have to do, but they always go above and beyond. It really makes me feel seen.”
Jess has clear ambitions for the future. She hopes to return to college, live independently, and one day become a special educational needs teacher. Before moving to Woolston House, she struggled to see a path forward, having previously been turned away from multiple other care services.
To mark FND Awareness Day, Jess hopes her story will help raise awareness of the condition and highlight the importance of specialist, person-centred care that supports people to live fulfilling lives, and that care placements don’t have to be permanent, but can play an important role in someone’s journey.
Jess said: “Having someone who truly believes in you is incredibly rare. With this condition, there’s often a lack of understanding and some people don’t always recognise what you’re going through. That’s why having someone who takes the time to listen and acknowledge my experiences makes such a huge difference.”
Celebrating the progress that Jess has made, Kylie Radcliffe, Home Manager at Woolston House said: “We’re incredibly proud of the progress Jess has made. Living with Functional Neurological Disorder can be challenging and unpredictable, but Jess has shown real determination in building her independence, confidence and looking ahead to her future.”
