“Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FND) is thought to occur in 14-22 cases per 100,000 people.” – National Organisation for Rare Disorders
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Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FND) Awareness Day is a day in which people come together to raise awareness and share information about the condition and provide support for others.
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FND and the Access Card
The impact of FND varies from person to person but we often add symbols such as distances, standing and queuing and for those that need it the ‘+1’ symbol on their Access Cards.
Everyone is different and experiences their needs in different ways, but here are some examples based on our experience.
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Standing & Queuing
Whether you have difficulty with physically being in a queue for a significant period of time, difficulty with the concept of queuing, or have difficulty with being in a queue/ crowded spaces, the ‘standing & queuing’ symbol can be added to your Access Card to help communicate this access requirement.
Different providers have their own ways of accommodating this access requirement.
For example, Access Card Holders with the ‘standing & queuing‘ symbol on their cards can apply for a Ride Access Pass with Legoland Windsor Resort.
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Distances
For people who would perhaps have difficulty with walking/ self-propelling a wheelchair for longer distances, we have the ‘distances’ symbol to communicate this access requirement with different providers.
Different providers have their own ways of accommodating this access requirement.
For example, For example, the Port Eliot Festival has a designated accessibility buggy to help you around the site & The Royal Yacht Britannia has seating along its tour route so that people can take breaks. Wheelchairs are also available to borrow.
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Essential Companions
For those that require a substantial amount of support from another person (e.g. pushing a wheelchair, assisting with medication or understanding visual or audible information), we have the ‘+1’ symbol, which indicates to providers that you require a substantial amount of support from another person in order to access a venue’s facilities.
This symbol is widely-acknowledged by our providers as an automatic entitlement to free tickets/entry for people providing you with support during your visit.
For example, Chessington World of Adventures Resort accepts Access Cards with the ‘+1‘ symbol as proof for a free essential companion ticket.
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Thinking of applying for a Card?
If you think the above would be useful for you and would like to apply for your Access Card you can do so quickly and easily by completing our short online application form and uploading some supporting information confirming your needs.
All applications received from people with FND during FND Awareness Day 2021 can use the discount code ‘fndday’ to get £5 off a three-year Access Card.
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Further Sources of Information, Advice and Support
Check out our full directory for how these symbols apply at over 1,000 venues in the UK and beyond.
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FND Action
“In October 2016, FND Action became the first charity to be registered in the UK to support those diagnosed with a Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), including Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD). The charity was founded by a group of people who had been diagnosed themselves, and who wanted to come together to provide help and support to others.”
FND Action
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Web: https://www.fndaction.org.uk/
Email: contact@fndaction.org.uk
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FND Hope
“FND Hope UK is part of the first and only global patient-led charity for people with Functional Neurological Disorder. Originating as a grassroots campaign, it uncovers the hidden world of FND and empowers those affected to live their best possible life.”
FND Hope
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Web: https://fndhope.org/about-fnd-hope/fnd-hope-uk/
Email: fndhopeuk@fndhope.org
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