Kent woman with Functional Neurological Disorder shares fight for suitable home after a year "trapped"
A woman from Strood who's been left in a wheelchair by a neurological condition is telling us about her battle to get basic support.
Last updated 13th May 2026
Chloe Higgins is fighting to have basic mobility necessities installed at her house in Strood, after being left waiting by social services.
Her Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) has led to reliance on aids such as wheelchairs, and a sense of "being trapped", both within her own body and environment:
"The more symptoms I began to have the harder I found things.
"So I've gone from: at first I could walk up the stairs, just about, but I could do it.
"Then it went to crawling up the stairs. And now I can't do steps full stop.
"There's no step I can do."
She told us the situation was forcing her to exist instead of live, with little support in sight, and that being unable to support herself was costing her dignity.
"It's been the better part of a year now, and for that whole period of time I've had to get used to the fact there's no shower access. There's no toilet access.
"I miss going on miss using the toilet. It sounds really silly but it's dignified.
"I have lost all my dignity...And it's a horrible feeling to lose your dignity.
"I never thought I'd lose my dignity at this age.
"I just sometimes think well, you know, why me? But if I just give into it, it's not going to change it.
"And I don't want to give into it. I'm not going to give into it.
"I just need that little bit of support now to make it so that I can get back to doing things and having a bit more normality, not being trapped in a house all the time."
For Chloe, it can take half an hour just to leave the house on a good day, leaving her feeling caged and worried about what could happen in an emergency. She also struggles with being able to access shelves, and recalling memories.
It's a condition frequently exacerbated by negative emotions, creating what Chloe refers to as a "vicious cycle".
Functional Neurological Disorder
FND, which can manifest as seizures, paralysis, and other physical impairments, was identified after Chloe experienced worsening symptoms following a fall and car accident.
The disorder, commonly triggered by physical trauma, leaves her dealing with fluctuating symptoms, such as hearing loss and mobility issues.
Explaining how it impacts day-to-day life, Chloe said: "Everybody will have it differently. Nobody's gonna be the same with it.
"For me it is so draining and tiring. Because I'm constantly battling pain 24/7.
"There is no point in a day where I've not got pain somewhere, or when my joints don't randomly click.
"That sudden pain can leave me stuck in one position for 15/20 minutes, and you just can't move.
"To be stuck like that. It's a very misunderstood thing and it needs to be understood more. And more people need to be aware of it.
"I'm hoping in doing this more people will become aware.
"Because it doesn't matter what your age is, you could get it."
Chloe is currently fundraising to afford mobility aids that will make her home more accessible.