Woman left with crippling spine damage after picking up balloon

A British woman developed a rare neurological condition after bending over to pick up a party balloon and must use a wheelchair when she leaves her home. Claire Brown, 27, of Salisbury, England, is now fundraising on GoFundMe to help cover the cost of multidisciplinary rehabilitation and has raised over $8,600 of her $72,000 goal.

Brown was cleaning up after a Halloween party at her home in 2014 when her back went out, The Sun reported. According to her GoFundMe page, she developed acute lower back pain. Subsequently, she suffered continuing pain that eventually led to leg tremors, myoclonic jerks and loss of bladder function, for which she had to have a catheter fitted in July 2015.

Brown was diagnosed with Functional Neurological syndrome with tremors. According to Functional Neurological Disorder Hope (FND Hope), a nonprofit that aims to promote awareness of the condition and provide support for affected individuals, the disorder is caused by a problem with nervous system function. The organization says the condition is thought to derive from the brain’s inability to send and receive signals properly. FND Hope notes that, for patients, getting the diagnosis can be a long and difficult journey.

According to her GoFundMe page, Brown relies on her family and friends for everyday support, and uses crutches around the house, but she must use a wheelchair outdoors.

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