As I come to the end of this blog series, I find myself reflecting on everything that has brought me to this moment. The path has been challenging, painful, and beautiful in ways I never could have imagined. Through Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), deep personal healing, and finding faith, I’ve discovered a strength within me that I never knew existed. Today, I want to wrap up this series by sharing the lessons I’ve learned, the relationships I’ve healed, and the faith that has transformed my life.

Lessons from FND and Beyond
Before FND stopped me in my tracks, I was always busy, constantly pushing forward, believing my worth was tied to my productivity. But FND forced me to stop, to accept and even ask for help, and to listen to my body. It allowed me to deeply reflect on the past almost forty years of my life and gave me the opportunity to think about who I wanted to be in the future. It taught me to appreciate my life, my home, my family, and my friends in a way I hadn’t before. It also taught me to appreciate the amazing things I’ve been fortunate to have done in my life such as, attending concerts and festivals, and traveling with friends and family both within Australia and overseas. I took part in fitness events and learned to dance hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary in my late twenties. I’ve written and published many books and read many, many more. I carried my beautiful children and am now once again able to be a stay-at-home mum to them as teenagers. It’s easy to look back and focus on all of the negative events in my life, but I promise there have been just as many incredible ones that shaped my life in their own ways. Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned from FND are how to set boundaries for both my mental and physical health, and that even when life strips away the things you think define you, you can still find peace and purpose.

I’ve spent so much of my life afraid to let others in and trying to do everything on my own, but now I know how much richer life is when you have a community around you and people who care for you, I plan to spend the years ahead doing the opposite, even when it terrifies me at times. I could’ve let my diagnosis define me, but I’m not my FND, it’s simply a part of my story. And through sharing it, I hope I can help others who are navigating their own battles.

Healing Relationships
One of the hardest but most rewarding aspects of this journey has been healing relationships. For years, I held onto past hurt, struggling to let my parents in. But time, perspective, and forgiveness have allowed us to reconnect. My dad has mellowed since retiring, and our relationship has improved. My mum and I have had open, honest conversations, validating each other’s feelings in ways we never did before. We’ve healed wounds that once felt impossible to mend.

My relationship with Tim, my husband, has also evolved. Growth in a marriage isn’t always linear, and sometimes, one of us would mature in a way that forced the other to catch up. But by giving each other space to become our own people, we’ve built a strong, loving partnership grounded in friendship. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth it.

Rebuilding trust—with myself and others—has been another challenge. I’ve learned to ask myself whether my reactions are based on reality or past wounds. It’s not a perfect process, but I keep trying, keep learning, and keep moving forward.

Forgiveness has been a key part of this. The dictionary defines forgiveness as ‘ceasing to feel resentment against someone for an offense.’ It is freeing in ways I never expected. It has dissolved the anger I carried for years, an anger that felt like it was rotting me from the inside out.

Finding Faith
Finding my faith was not something I ever expected. I used to have so many misconceptions about the Bible. But as I read it, learned about its history, and started understanding the words, I began to believe that Jesus truly was the Son of God. From the outside Christianity seemed to be about judgment, but I learned, Jesus embraced those whom society rejected. His love was for everyone.

One night, I lay in bed after visiting my doctor who had shared she wasn’t sure what else to do with me. I’d maxed out all the medications she was able to give me and all of them had stopped working after a few months. She’d referred me to a pain specialist, but he had replied to let her know that he wasn’t able to do anything to help me. Unable to find comfort in my bed, tears filled my eyes from the unbearable pain throughout my body. I wondered, ‘Is this going to be the rest of my life?’ Unable to sleep and feeling desperate I took a chance and called out to Jesus. ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ I said. ‘Please, if you are the loving healer I’ve been hearing and reading about, please take away this pain. I can deal with my other symptoms; all I need is for this pain to go away.’  Eventually, exhaustion won out and I fell asleep in the early hours of the morning.

When I woke the following day, I was fatigued, but to my surprise, the pain was gone. The entire day I waited in anticipation for the pain to return. But, it didn’t. My other symptoms continued, ticks and spasms, restless legs, and fatigue, but as days turned into one week and two, the pain stayed away. I didn’t tell anyone at first. I didn’t want to put my hope in something I couldn’t fully understand or look insane for believing I’d been healed in some way only for the pain to return. It’s been just over two months, and that constant underlying pain has not returned. I tear up thinking about it. My life has been so much easier, and I’ve been able to engage with my friends, family, and other things I enjoy all because that constant pain has been taken away. I’m not ‘cured’ but that night I called out to Jesus, and I believe he answered my prayer. For that, I am eternally grateful, and it is why last weekend I took the next step in my faith, and I was baptized in front of my husband, kids, two of my nieces, good friends, and my church. I’m excited for what is to come.

Where I Am Today
I still have good days and bad days, but overall, I have many more good days. I understand my body and my triggers better. I’ve let go of the guilt I used to feel around resting, knowing that rest is what allows my body to restore so I can be the best version of myself for my family and friends.

My daily practices keep me grounded: gratitude, connection with my family and friends, creativity, prayer, and reading the Bible.

As for my sense of purpose? That’s still evolving. My children, now 15 and 13, still need me, and I pour much of my energy into being present for them and my husband. Writing this blog series has also been an important part of my journey—reflecting on where I’ve been, how far I’ve come, and finally letting go of the past.

What’s Next?
I don’t know exactly what’s next, and for the first time in my life, I’m okay with that. I trust that God will reveal the right path to me when the time is right. I will continue writing, sharing stories, and connecting with others. I’m in the process of writing my next blog series which will focus on conversations with everyday women who have inspiring stories to share. I believe we all have something to learn from one another. When we are authentic and honest with others, we give them permission and encouragement to be real and speak their truth as well.

For now, I want to say thank you. Thank you for reading my stories, for allowing me to be vulnerable, and for the messages of encouragement, love, and support I’ve received from so many women. My hope is that my story has brought you comfort, inspiration, or even just the knowledge that you are not alone and that where there is light, darkness can’t prevail.

I may not have all the answers, but I know that I am loved, I am not alone, and I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Be kind to yourself,

Linda x

Ask for Help

If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support. Here are some Australian helplines that can help:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (Support for depression and anxiety)
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (For young people aged 5–25)
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (Support for domestic and family violence)
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation: 1300 858 584

You are not alone, and help is available.