Reclaiming My World: Navigating FND, Six Wheelchairs, and 120 Towns

Guest post by Liam Virgo

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In 2016 at 13 years old, my life completely changed within a few days. A severe onset of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) caused a total physical shutdown. I went from being an active teenager to being bedridden, non verbal and completely paralysed for years. FND is often described as a "brain software crash" - the hardware (the brain structure) is fine, but the software (the signalling system) completely fails to send messages to the body. I was left suddenly severely disabled, having all my abilities taken away from me.

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For years I was locked inside my own body, housebound and isolated. It took massive amounts of emotional and physical rehabilitation to get to where I am today. Just sitting up in a wheelchair was a monumental achievement because, for a long time, no standard chair could accommodate my complex needs. Over the years, my neuro-rehabilitation journey has progressed through six different wheelchairs. Today, I can stand independently and am relearning to walk. Although I have made huge progress with my condition recently, I’ve had many setbacks over the years with my rehab, including periods where I’ve been unable to walk again. But I’m determined never to give up hope.

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What truly unlocked my physical and mental recovery was a dream: I wanted to visit London.

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I decided to use travel as a vital rehabilitation tool. It started with small, local goals, but it grew into something massive. To date, I have successfully toured over 120 UK towns and cities, and I regularly explore my favourite place: London.

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After spending years housebound I felt so much freedom when I was eventually well enough to sit in a wheelchair. It felt amazing to be back in the outside world again.

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If you are a National Disability Card holder who feels anxious about stepping back out into public spaces, I want to share three practical lessons I learned while conquering busy UK transport networks and reclaiming my independence.

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1. Start with "Micro-Travel" Goals

Don’t feel pressured to book a massive trip right away. Build your confidence using local micro-goals. Your first trip might just be sitting at a local bus stop for ten minutes, or visiting a cafe one town over. Treat every small outing as a victory. These micro-milestones accumulate, rewiring your confidence and preparing you for bigger networks. I found goal setting really helpful and it motivated me on days when I needed the motivation.

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2. Treat Transit as Part of Your Rehab

Navigating trains, platforms, and busy streets with a mobility aid can feel daunting. However, I learned to view the transport system as an extension of therapy.

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Figuring out step-free routes, booking passenger assistance, and communicating my needs to station staff helped to engage me with the world. It shifts your mindset from surviving the journey to mastering the environment.

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3. Focus on What You can Achieve

Developing a disability as a teenager felt like losing my freedom. But getting back into the outside world taught me that independence isn't about being fully able-bodied; it’s about having the right tools and the confidence to use them.

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If you are struggling to find your feet - or your wheels - know that there is life beyond a diagnosis. Your world doesn't have to shrink. Start small, set your sights on a destination that excites you, and take it one micro-milestone at a time.

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At 13 I lost all my independence to FND, but 10 years on I’m now more determined than ever to not let my disability hold me back.

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If you have FND or any other disability, and you want to avoid repeatedly explaining your disability while travelling, consider applying for the National Disability Card.

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About the National Disability Card

The National Disability & Carers Card scheme was set up in 2019 by carers to make everyday life and access easier for people with disabilities and those who care for them. The scheme supports 300,000 card holders and provides easy-to-carry visual identification that helps users avoid repeatedly explaining their disability or caring role. The National Disability Card is accepted as proof of disability at 600+ venues across the UK and abroad.