The plot of the rom-com “50 First Dates” is in fact much less romantic.
Life is in some ways similar to the 2004 Drew Barrymore film for British TikTok influencer Megan Jackson, whose functional neurological disorder causes various symptoms, including memory loss.
The 21-year-old was diagnosed with the debilitating brain condition when she was 17 and experienced temporary paralysis, memory problems and seizures as a result. She documented her experience with it on TikTok, where she has more than 332,000 followers.
Her friend, 22-year-old Tara Sorkin, has developed a variety of sweet methods to jog Jackson’s memory, including keeping a diary for her, taking her to places she’s been to and celebrating Valentine’s Day several times recently.
‘We’ve only been together a few months and have been through too much. “We should not have been through so much trauma and I forgot her at least four times,” Jackson told the Mirror. ‘It’s like ’50 first dates’. Everyone refers to it that way. ”
Sometimes, after attack and consequent memory erasure, Jackson is told “this is your girlfriend, Tara” and he will react confused.
“I would like ‘What the hell – I’m not even gay,'” she told the publication. Because of her chronic condition, she believes it is impossible to really know her sexuality because I forgot.
Perhaps the cruelest part of FND is that it is caused by extreme emotions, including happiness.
“It’s so depressing. “I have seizures almost every day,” she said. ‘I just have to laugh, then I can fit. It affects every part of my life. ”
Particularly funny or sad TV shows can cause her FND, just like stress. She tried to suppress an attack, and it only made it worse: “You have to eradicate it.”
Her condition has made it difficult to maintain traditional employment.
“I can not work. I let so much work go, ”she said
This month, Jackson launched a GoFundMe so that it can afford private health care instead of the care offered by the UK National Health Service.