FND
– What Now? founded by Audrey Bart, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to
raising awareness and providing support for those living with Functional
Neurological Disorder (FND), offering online support groups and education to
help reduce stigma and promote early diagnosis.
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) affects 6% of neurological patients, yet it remains largely misunderstood.
In Cape Town , FND – What Now?, a non-profit organisation (NPO), is working hard to raise awareness and support those living with this debilitating condition.
Founded by Audrey Bart, who also has FND, the organisation provides crucial support and education for individuals struggling with FND.
“FND can be life-changing. It affects how the brain communicates with the body, causing symptoms like difficulty walking, paralysis, seizures, and chronic pain,” said Bart. “What makes it even harder is that there is no known cause, and many people are misdiagnosed or left without treatment.”
According to Bart, the lack of awareness often leads to delayed diagnoses and ineffective treatment.
“It’s incredibly frustrating. People living with FND feel isolated, misunderstood, and unheard,” she explained.
FND –What Now? offers a free weekly online support group, in partnership with The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
This platform helps people living with FND connect with others who understand their struggles and share valuable advice.
“By sharing stories and raising awareness, we can help people feel less alone and encourage earlier diagnoses,” Bart said. “We want to reduce the stigma surrounding FND and help medical professionals identify the condition faster.”
In addition to its work , the organisation is affiliated with international organisations like FND Action in the UK and The FND Society in the US.
“We’re not in this alone. International collaboration is key to raising awareness worldwide,” Bart added.
FND – What Now? plans to hold more events and campaigns to spread the message. “We want to ensure that FND becomes more visible and understood, around the world,” Bart concluded.
For more information about FND or to join the support group, visit https://www.fndwhatnow.com/ or email audrey at fndwhatnow@gmail.com.
