The plot of the rom-com “50 First Dates” is actually much less romantic.
Life is similar in some ways to the 2004 Drew Barrymore film for British TikTok influencer Megan Jackson, whose functional neurological disorder causes a variety of symptoms, including memory loss.
The 21-year-old was diagnosed with debilitating brain disease at the age of 17, resulting in temporary paralysis, memory problems and seizures. She has documented her experiences with it on TikTok, where she has more than 332,000 followers.
Her friend, 22-year-old Tara Sorkin, has developed an assortment of sweet methods to refresh Jackson’s memory, including keeping a diary for her, taking her to places she’s been before, and having recently celebrated Valentine’s Day multiple times.
“We’ve only been together for a few months and we’ve been through way too much. We shouldn’t have experienced that much trauma and I have forgotten her at least four times, ”Jackson told the Mirror. “It’s like ’50 First Dates.” Everyone refers to it like that. “
Sometimes, after a seizure and the resulting amnesia, Jackson will be told “this is your girlfriend, Tara” and will respond with confusion.
“I’ll be 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 luck.
‘It’s so depressing. I have seizures almost every day, ”she said. “I just have to laugh, then I have a fit. It affects every part of my life. “
Very funny or sad TV shows can trigger her FND, as can stress. Trying to quell an attack, she said, only makes it worse – “You have to ride it out.”
Her condition made it difficult to maintain traditional work.
‘I can’t work. I’ve been fired from so many jobs, ”she said
This month, Jackson launched a GoFundMe so she can afford private healthcare instead of the care provided through the UK’s public health service.