The plot of the rom-com “50 First Dates” is much less romantic in reality.
Life is somewhat comparable to Drew Barrymore’s 2004 film for UK influencer TikTok Megan Jackson, whose functional neurological disorder causes a variety of symptoms, including memory loss.
The 21-year-old was diagnosed with a debilitating brain disease when she was 17 and experienced temporary paralysis, memory problems and seizures as a result. She documented her experience with him on TikTok, where she has more than 332,000 followers.
His girlfriend, Tara Sorkin, 22, has developed a variety of sweet methods to help refresh Jackson’s memory, including keeping a diary for her, taking her to places she has been before and recently celebrating Valentine’s Day several times. times.
“We’ve only been together for a few months and have been through a lot. We shouldn’t have gone through so much trauma and I forgot it at least four times, ”Jackson told Mirror. “It’s like ’50 First Dates. ‘Everyone refers to it like that. “
Sometimes, after a seizure and the resulting memory clearing, Jackson will hear “this is his girlfriend, Tara” and will respond in confusion.
“I’m going to be like, ‘What the hell – I’m not even gay,'” she told the publication. Due to her chronic condition, she believes that it is impossible to truly know her sexuality, “because I forgot”.
Perhaps the most cruel part of the FND is that it is triggered by extreme emotions, including happiness.
“It is so depressing. I have seizures practically every day, ”she said. “I just need to laugh so I have a fit. It affects all parts of my life. “
Particularly funny or sad TV shows can trigger your FND, as well as stress. Trying to suppress a seizure, she said, only makes it worse – “You have to put up with it.”
His condition made it difficult to maintain traditional employment.
“I cannot work. I got fired for so many jobs, “she said
This month, Jackson launched a GoFundMe so she could pay for private health care instead of the care offered by the UK’s National Public Health Service.