Bristol nail tech: how I navigate functional neurological disorder (FND)

By Rebecca Hitchon | 25 March 2025 | Feature, Health & wellbeing, Tech Talk

To mark FND Awareness Day (25 March), Shara Taylor, owner of Bare Beauty Aesthetics, Bristol, opens up about her experiences with the condition…

Charity, FND Action, details: “Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a brain network disorder that can encompass a diverse range of neurological symptoms, including limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, twitching and sensory issues.”

Shara Taylor battled cancer during the pandemic and presented stroke symptoms, which turned out to be FND triggered by the disease. She has suffered with two types of seizures ever since. During one, she is non-responsive and unable to speak or move, but can hear everything around her. The other type occurs in clusters and causes full body movements. It mainly occurs before Shara goes to bed and when she wakes up. “If I’m going to have a seizure, I usually get a warning, such as feeling sick or experiencing pain in my face,” Shara explains.

Due to FND, the nail pro works from her home. “I can’t build my business as I would like, as I have to rest in between clients,” she shares. “Stress and tiredness can trigger seizures and if I have had one, I must cancel any clients that day, due to the aftereffects. Sometimes I lose my speech for hours, and most of the time I struggle to walk. Luckily, I haven’t had a seizure while working and many of my clients have been loyal since before I had cancer, so are understanding. I also ensure the treatments I carry out are relaxed, and my daughter is home-based so can assist me if needed.”

When asked what she wants readers to take away from her story, Shara says the importance of being kind. “It is true that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, as you don’t know what other people may be experiencing,” she comments. “For example, I know a woman whose 13-year-old daughter with FND suddenly lost the use of her limbs as a result of the condition, and had to learn to walk again. There was no reasoning behind it, and that can be hard for people to understand. There’s also a lack of research about FND, so there is limited information and support available.”

Shara’s tips for techs with FND:

• “Don’t be embarrassed about the condition. Openly talking about it has helped me.

• “Have a good support network: whether in-person or online, as with little medical knowledge
and help, the condition can feel isolating.” Click here for a list of FND support groups.

Follow Shara on Facebook and Instagram.