Leanne just wants to be able to walk her dog again
16:14, 24 Jun 2026Updated 16:45, 24 Jun 2026
Leanne with her dog Bear on her graduation day last year
Last year, Glanmire woman Leanne Walsh had just graduated from UCC with a degree in social work when she noticed some worrying symptoms.
It started with muscle spasms – and a year on, with impaired speech and unable to get about without a walking aid, Leanne just wants to be able to walk her beloved dog Bear again. The former soldier was diagnosed with what is described as Functional Neurological Disorder, and it has affected every aspect of Leanne’s life.
As an active fan of keeping fit and going to the gym, it has meant an extreme and limiting change of pace for the Cork woman – but friends say that she is as determined, fun and forward-looking as ever. Now those friends and loved ones have pulled together to donate to a fundraiser for Leanne, to help her get treatment overseas.
Laura Garvey, who met Leanne on that social work course at UCC, told CorkBeo that they’ve been “blown away” by the response to the fundraiser. In just a week, it has raised more than half of its goal of €24,000.
Laura said: “Leanne is such a determined person with a really good attitude around her condition. She’s outgoing and super caring. She got her dog Bear just before graduation – and now just wants to get back to being able to enjoy the simple things in life.”
For Leanne, that means seeking treatment in Manchester, England. Laura explained: “Leanne has sought help from both the public and private health sectors, but unfortunately, treatments for this condition are limited in Ireland. Leanne had to reach out to a service in Manchester, which offers intensive treatment for FND.
“However, this treatment is extremely costly, and professionals have advised Leanne that she will need several rounds of treatment before she can regain her mobility.”
Laura added that she’d never heard of the condition before Leanne presented with it – but then Irish country singer Lisa McHugh appeared on The Late Late Show last November to talk about her own diagnosis of FND, bringing the details of the illness to a much wider audience.
Last year, the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill addressed the lack of treatment in Ireland: “Functional neurologic disorder (FND) is a brain network disorder. It can present with a wide range of neurological symptoms that are sometimes like symptoms in other neurological conditions.
“There is growing evidence for the efficacy of FND-specific multidisciplinary treatment services. Currently there is no dedicated clinical service for FND in Ireland.”
However, Laura says Leanne has seen some success already with limited treatment in Manchester – but that she needs funding to pay for a substantial round of treatment, as well as travel and accommodation.
Launching the fundraiser last week, Laura wrote: “We are asking for support so Leanne can continue these treatments and take steps toward walking again. She is incredibly determined and refuses to give up, and I truly believe she will overcome this. She is hoping for the day when she can take her little bundle of joy, Bear, for a walk without having to ask for help or use an aid.”
You can donate to the fundraiser here.