Flic’s Story: Life After a Covid Vaccine Reaction Ending With An FND Diagnosis
When we first connected with Flic, we were instantly moved by her honesty, strength, and incredible attitude toward life after chronic illness. Diagnosed with multiple conditions after a severe adverse reaction to the Covid19 vaccine, her journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s one that’s shaped her resilience, creativity, and compassion for others.
From navigating fluctuating symptoms to rediscovering confidence through mobility aids, Flic’s story is one of adaptation, self-acceptance, and hope. We have absolutely loved getting to know Flic, and we are honoured to share her story. We hope it connects as deeply with you, as it did with us.
My Story
Hi, I’m Flic, a 33-year-old from Manchester. I became chronically ill and disabled in 2021, after suffering a severe adverse reaction to the CV19 vaccine. Since then, I’ve been diagnosed with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), POTS, MCAS, Chronic Migraine, CFS, and Fibromyalgia, and I also spent a year being treated for Vascular Disease & Endothelial Dysfunction.
I’ve been admitted to hospital with suspected strokes, heart attacks, and aneurysms, but no one ever really got to the bottom of it. It’s been an incredibly difficult few years, filled with dismissal, uncertainty, and ongoing investigations across multiple specialist departments.
Day to day, I’m still primarily housebound, and my partner is my full-time carer. I’m endlessly grateful to have his support - I couldn’t do this without him!
My symptoms change hour by hour. I experience joint pain, numbness, tremors, and severe coordination and balance issues. My migraines bring extreme vertigo, visual disturbances, head pain, cognitive fog, and dizziness. On bad days, I can sleep up to 16 hours and struggle even to drink water because of sheer exhaustion. Light sensitivity can make it impossible to be anywhere but a dark, silent room.
While I’ve tried countless treatments and therapies, I’ve learned to find beauty in small moments. Life now is slower, but it’s taught me to truly appreciate peace and simplicity.
Finding Confidence With Mobility Aids
My experience with mobility aids didn’t start well. Coming to terms with becoming disabled is already hard, but the stares, comments, and judgement from others made it even harder.
When I first used a walking stick, a girl laughed in my face in the street. My confidence plummeted. I pushed through pain just to avoid being seen with it. Even my neurologist questioned my need for a cane, saying, “Well, you’re not using one now.” That kind of dismissal stays with you.
Eventually, I tried to make the best of it by wrapping my plain walking stick in leopard print vinyl to make it feel a little more “me.” Soon after, a physio told me I needed to be on crutches, but the NHS crutches I was given were so uncomfortable they caused pain, blisters, and peeling skin on my hands.
I began to associate mobility aids with discomfort and shame… until I found Cool Crutches!
My Carbon Fibre Crutches were the first time I felt seen. I realised mobility aids could be comfortable, stylish, and empowering. Instead of hiding them, I started to embrace them. It completely changed my relationship with my disability... and with myself.
Navigating Mental Health
Becoming suddenly disabled and losing independence overnight is life-changing. Spending most of your time within the same four walls takes a toll on your mental health.
I’ve had to relearn how to live, celebrating the small wins and showing myself patience. Finding community has been a lifeline. Connecting with others online who understand what I’m going through has made this isolating journey feel less lonely.
I’m grateful to platforms like Cool Crutches, which help create safe, understanding spaces for disabled people. It’s comforting to know we’re not alone.
To anyone newly navigating chronic illness or disability:
Be gentle with yourself. Allow time to grieve what’s changed, but also stay open to what’s still possible.
You can rebuild. You can find joy. You can feel proud of who you are, walking stick and all!
Living With an Invisible Disability
There’s still so much stigma around invisible conditions. People question how someone can need a mobility aid one day and not the next, as if they’re trying to “catch you out.”
We need more compassion and understanding. Symptoms fluctuate. Pain changes. Some days are better than others, and that doesn’t make anyone a fraud.
Just because you can’t see someone’s illness doesn’t mean it isn’t real. Be kind, always. You never know what someone is going through.
My Disability Hacks & Go-To Tools
My biggest game-changer has been the National Disability Card. It’s a must-have if you’ve ever been told “you don’t look sick.” I always carry it along with my Sunflower Lanyard.
Sometimes, you don’t have the energy to explain why you need help, and you shouldn’t have to. The card makes it easier to access support like disabled loos or priority seating and even comes with perks like discounts and carer tickets. It’s been invaluable to me.
What’s Next
Last year, something incredible happened. I was approached by someone who spotted me out and about with my cane. They asked if it was real or an accessory (which, at first, made me roll my eyes!) but it turned out they were from Zebedee Talent, an inclusive model agency.
Earlier this year, I signed with them! 🎉
I’m so excited to see where this journey leads and to play my part in making the world more inclusive and accessible. Representation matters! And if my story helps even one person feel seen or accepted, that means everything.
Thank you so much Flic for sharing your story with us, it really is a tough, but inspiring read.
If you'd like to follow Flic, she's on Instagram here HERE.
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