A mum knew something was wrong when half of her body went numb as she put her shopping away.
Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd, a model, had just got back to her home in Southport after collecting her children from school and going food shopping when she noticed something was wrong. The mum said she was "terrified" as half her body became paralysed when she started putting away her weekly shop in the summer of 2022.
Debbie-Lyn, who owns Debbie-Lyn Apparel on Lord Street in Southport, said: “Suddenly the bottom half of my body became paralysed. I was terrified, but I tried to play it cool to my children who finished putting the shopping away whilst I called 111 the NHS medical advice line to see what I should do.
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“They immediately identified that this was a serious situation and sent an ambulance to rush me into A&E at Southport Hospital. I had to be admitted for extensive tests and two MRI scans.
"The tests kept coming back normal, which was reassuring but very confusing too. Eventually I saw a neurologist and was diagnosed with a neurological condition called FND (Functional Neurological Disorder).
"I needed assistance with absolutely everything at the beginning, I had carers coming three times a day, and I was fitted for a wheelchair. I tried hard to stay positive, which wasn’t always easy, but I had four little people watching me, so I decided to learn everything I could about this devastating diagnosis to try and get better."
Debbie-Lyn's confidence and ability grew following regular physiotherapy and psychotherapy sessions. The mum said she kept pushing herself to "make her children proud" and added that she wanted to get back to plus size modelling.
Debbie-Lyn said: "I had entered a national competition, with Ms Curvaceous UK and had been chosen from thousands of applicants to be in the semi final in London in February 2023. I decided that I was going to attend, wheelchair or no wheelchair.
“I took part in the photoshoot for the Ms Curvaceous Semi Finals at the famous Leake Street Tunnels in London, I used my wheelchair to get around and even have some shots in, I used my walking stick to stand for a few, and even managed a short walk with my stick.
“I felt so proud of myself for pushing through and entering, but I never in a million years expected to be chosen as a finalist. I cannot believe that my dream to represent diversity in the mainstream fashion industry has come true."
Following on from the success of the competition Debbie-Lyn won the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the inaugural Pride of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport. She will now be hosting an Inclusive Fashion Show in Southport on Sunday, October 1.
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