A woman who attributed her migraines to the pressures of being a busy working mother was left unable to walk or speak after being diagnosed with a debilitating brain condition. Sarah Lewis, 46, from Solihull, began experiencing severe headaches, difficulty swallowing, and heart palpitations. She claims doctors repeatedly told her she was likely suffering from anxiety or stress.
Ignored Symptoms
The mother of two had also blamed her symptoms on the demands of her high-pressure role as an assistant management accountant while sitting accountancy exams and juggling family life. Her migraines became increasingly frequent. The day after her son's eighth birthday, she found herself unable to walk in a straight line, describing it as feeling 'like being drunk,' along with speech difficulties.
She was rushed to Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital with a suspected stroke or brain tumour. After a week of tests, doctors told her she was fine and 'probably overdoing it' at work. Months later, she was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition where the brain's software malfunctions, disrupting signals between the brain and body.
Life-Changing Diagnosis
The diagnosis has left Sarah dependent on a wheelchair and relying on her mother as a carer. Despite these challenges, she has rebuilt her life by running a cake business, Cakey Blinders, with her 17-year-old son Henry. She also has an 11-year-old daughter, Lily.
Sarah said: 'It was a case of my body intervening and saying, right, I think you need to stop now, when I just thought I was tired and overworked. I put myself under so much pressure, feeling like I had to do everything. The first issues were problems swallowing, then tiredness, palpitations, and migraines. Doctors said it was probably anxiety or stress.'
From Burnout to Business
After a referral to neurology, Sarah received her FND diagnosis in September 2023. The condition causes involuntary physical symptoms, including loss of motor control, speech, and cognitive difficulties. She said: 'It's like a computer where the hardware is fine but the software isn't. I basically worked until I broke.'
Sarah now uses crutches and a wheelchair. She added: 'Baking became a therapy for me. My mum helps with the oven, my husband with logistics, Henry with everything, and Lily with ideas. It has brought us closer together. Now I feel I have a purpose, and my family comes first.'
