Welcome inside cupped hands

Welcome!
This page was created for people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) by people with FND

We hope you will find the information and resources here to be independent, continue the activities you enjoy and find new ones to try, access ideas on adjustments to help you continue with work, volunteering or study, and meet new people who have a small understanding of your journey.

FND Support Groups

FND support groups provides an opportunity for people to share their experiences and feelings with others who are going through similar experiences.

The group facilitators may lead a discussion about particular topics or experiences. Meetings could involve laughter, tears, empathy, acceptance and learning something new. Groups can also help participants become more informed about FND-related topics, such as treatments, exercise and mobility, relationships and life with FND.

From time to time, we invite speakers to present topics of interest at meetings. Guest speakers may include occupational therapists, psychologists, dietitians, naturopaths and physiotherapists.

Our meetings are usually held every four to six weeks and we hold them in quiet, accessible spaces such as local council libraries.

Please check out the Events Calendar and/or join us in our Facebook group “FND Living – for People with FND” for updates.

A group of people sittting together laughing and smiling

Recent Posts

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Our Next Events

15 June 2022 - 9:30 am

The Brisbane North group has been running since February 2021 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.  The group meets for two hours and when there is a guest speaker, they are usually scheduled for the second hour.

About the venue:

The meeting rooms at the Chermside Library are mobility accessible and sensory-friendly.  There are tea and coffee making facilities in the meeting room or you can grab yourself something from Cafe 641.5 inside the main library.  If you are catching public transport, the Library is two blocks from the Chermside Interchange.

16 July 2022 - 9:30 am

The Brisbane North group has been running since February 2021 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.  The group meets for two hours and when there is a guest speaker, they are usually scheduled for the second hour.

About the venue:

The meeting rooms at the Chermside Library are mobility accessible and sensory-friendly.  There are tea and coffee making facilities in the meeting room or you can grab yourself something from Cafe 641.5 inside the main library.  If you are catching public transport, the Library is two blocks from the Chermside Interchange.

27 October 2022 - 9:30 am

This month, our guest speaker is Carolyn Fitzgibbon, a Mental Health Occupational Therapist with particular expertise in cognitive and sensory strategies.  Carolyn has co-written the book, "Sensory Modulation Resource Manual", which brings together the neuroscience and occupational therapy strategies to provide practical assistance for people to increase their knowledge and skills concerning sensory modulation.  Her facebook page, blog and free resources are also worth checking out.

The Brisbane North group has been running since February 2021 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.  The group meets for two hours and when there is a guest speaker, they are usually scheduled for the second hour.

About the venue:

The meeting rooms at the Chermside Library are mobility accessible and sensory-friendly.  There are tea and coffee making facilities in the meeting room or you can grab yourself something from Cafe 641.5 inside the main library.  If you are catching public transport, the Library is two blocks from the Chermside Interchange.

8 December 2022 - 9:30 am

This month, our guest speaker is Patrice Hedlefs, a Local Area Coordinator, from Carer's QLD.  Patrice will be focussing on accessing the NDIS for people with Functional Neurological Disorder.

The Brisbane North group has been running since February 2021 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.  The group meets for two hours and when there is a guest speaker, they are usually scheduled for the second hour.

People with FND, their family members and friends are always welcome, as are any people supporting them to attend.

If you do not have FND but would like to connect with our group, please contact [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.

About the venue:

The meeting rooms at the Chermside Library are mobility accessible and sensory-friendly.  There are tea and coffee making facilities in the meeting room or you can grab yourself something from Cafe 641.5 inside the main library.  If you are catching public transport, the Library is two blocks from the Chermside Interchange.

 

19 January 2023 - 9:30 am

The Brisbane North group has been running since February 2021 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.  The group meets for two hours and when there is a guest speaker, they are usually scheduled for the second hour.

About the venue:

The meeting rooms at the Chermside Library are mobility accessible and sensory-friendly.  There are tea and coffee making facilities in the meeting room or you can grab yourself something from Cafe 641.5 inside the main library.  If you are catching public transport, the Library is two blocks from the Chermside Interchange.

 

19 January 2023 - 9:30 am

The Toowoomba group has been running since August 2022 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.  The group meets for two hours and when there is a guest speaker, they are usually scheduled for the second hour.

People with FND, their family members and friends are always welcome, as are any people supporting them to attend.

If you do not have FND but would like to connect with our group, please contact [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.

16 February 2023 - 9:30 am

This month, Sandi Jeffreys and Sharon Sharland from Thermo Virtuoso will be demonstrating how a Thermomix can help specifically with FND symptoms such as dystonia, tremors and memory issues.  We will then resume our usual chat and catch-up at 10:30am.

The Brisbane North group has been running since February 2021 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.

About the venue:

The meeting rooms at the Chermside Library are mobility accessible and sensory-friendly.  There are tea and coffee making facilities in the meeting room or you can grab yourself something from Cafe 641.5 inside the main library.  If you are catching public transport, the Library is two blocks from the Chermside Interchange.


If you do not have FND but would like to connect with our group, please contact [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.

Please be mindful that all QLD support groups are run by volunteers who have FND and may have limited capacity for telephone calls.  Sending a text message instead of calling is greatly appreciated.

16 February 2023 - 9:30 am

The Toowoomba group has been running since August 2022 and is a safe space to connect with other people with FND.  The group meets for two hours and when there is a guest speaker, they are usually scheduled for the second hour.

People with FND, their family members and friends are always welcome, as are any people supporting them to attend.

If you do not have FND but would like to connect with our group, please contact [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.

Please be mindful that all QLD support groups are run by volunteers who have FND and may have limited capacity for telephone calls.  Sending a text message instead of calling is greatly appreciated.

    3 March 2023 - 10:00 am

    Don't miss the biggest Disability and NDIS event Australia has ever seen!

    Navigating NDIS and the search for service providers can be a big task and it never stops for participants, carers, family members and Guardians. Find hundreds of search provider options under one roof, with space to spend time, connect with multiple options, get support and your questions answered at our free ‘Ask a NDIS Expert, Support Hub’ sponsored by Support Care Angels from a range of professionals. Book in and use our meeting rooms also, check out the entertainment zone running all day, grab some food and if you need to do something and take a break, try the jumping castle, hair braiders, face painters, balloon artists or get a picture with cos players. All visitors get a free magazine to help them find some of the best service provider options on offer.

    It is more than booths and pamphlets, it’s two days at the biggest Disability and NDIS related event ever and it’s FREE!

    Get more information here: https://www.developingauscommunities.com.au/brisbane-expo-2023/visitor

    Register here: https://au.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=100217405&categoryid=101579778

    Organised by Developing Australian Communities

    Developing Australian Communities

      4 March 2023 - 10:00 am

      Don't miss the biggest Disability and NDIS event Australia has ever seen!

      Navigating NDIS and the search for service providers can be a big task and it never stops for participants, carers, family members and Guardians. Find hundreds of search provider options under one roof, with space to spend time, connect with multiple options, get support and your questions answered at our free ‘Ask a NDIS Expert, Support Hub’ sponsored by Support Care Angels from a range of professionals. Book in and use our meeting rooms also, check out the entertainment zone running all day, grab some food and if you need to do something and take a break, try the jumping castle, hair braiders, face painters, balloon artists or get a picture with cos players. All visitors get a free magazine to help them find some of the best service provider options on offer.

      It is more than booths and pamphlets, it’s two days at the biggest Disability and NDIS related event ever and it’s FREE!

      Get more information here: https://www.developingauscommunities.com.au/brisbane-expo-2023/visitor

      Register here: https://au.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=100217405&categoryid=101579778

      Organised by Developing Australian Communities

      Developing Australian Communities