A woman from Nottinghamshire has spoken about how problems with her balance and an involuntary leg movement resulted in what she described as a devastating medical finding.
The condition Laura Fitt experienced started with several tumbles while travelling abroad, which then quickly developed into more pronounced involuntary movement in her leg.
As the woman’s symptoms intensified, she received a diagnosis of a type of motor neurone disease and is now attempting to restructure her life following the heartbreaking news.
Laura, a resident of Sutton in Ashfield, has spent her career working in the health sector since her late teens, most recently serving as a senior staff nurse for Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust before her diagnosis.
She initially observed her symptoms during a trip to New York with her spouse John the previous year, when she repeatedly tripped and fell, attributing this to the extensive amounts of walking involved in their sightseeing.
However, after arriving back from New York, Laura’s symptoms persisted and deteriorated, with the mother of four experiencing muscle spasms in her left leg alongside additional incidents of falling.
Her condition continued to deteriorate, and she decided to seek medical advice after noticing she required support to maintain her equilibrium.
Following an extended diagnostic process involving numerous MRI scans, an electromyography examination and a nerve conduction assessment, Laura was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a form of motor neurone disease.
ALS is a progressive neurological condition that damages nerve cells within the brain and spinal cord, resulting in diminished control over muscles.
Laura’s primary concerns revolve around her four children: Ellis, Gabriella, Alex and Harmony.
She and John hold a special guardianship arrangement for Ellis and Harmony, while Laura adopted Alex prior to meeting her husband in 2012.
Alex, who is 15 years old, has various additional needs, including septo-optic dysplasia, autism and developmental delay, and Laura is especially concerned about his comprehension of her illness and what lies ahead.
She explained that with Alex, his level of cognitive understanding presents particular challenges, as she does not want him to believe that when she passes away, she has simply left him. She noted that no one will ever care for her children as well as she does.
Laura, who describes herself as the person responsible for organising all aspects of family life, now fears how the household will manage without her input.
She stated that the situation is utterly devastating because she has always been the one handling appointments, professional meetings and ensuring everything runs smoothly, essentially functioning as the central mechanism keeping the family operational.
John, Laura’s husband, remains at home to care for the children and has been looking after all four on a full-time basis since 2024 to enable Laura to continue her academic pursuits.
John expressed that he had hoped for any alternative outcome and that learning it was this particular condition proved quite devastating. He described his wife as a mother to everyone who would help anyone at any time and stated she is an exceptional parent whose children want for nothing.
To obtain her diagnosis, Laura required a private consultation, which cost £250.
ALS produces muscle weakness, involuntary movements, cramping and difficulties with speech and swallowing, all of which Laura either currently experiences or is starting to notice.
She described her mobility as significantly compromised, requiring the installation of a stairlift in their property. She explained that she shuffles along in short bursts before needing to rest and experiences constant fatigue, with standing and moving leaving her feeling particularly frail and prone to falling. She added that her ability to swallow during meals has become increasingly problematic.
Outside the home, Laura must use an electric wheelchair, which she had to purchase herself at a cost of £1,015.
The stairlift installation cost the family £999.
She is currently taking medication aimed at slowing the progression of the condition, but as a qualified nurse, she understands the illness will only worsen.
Laura’s current priority involves spending meaningful time with her husband and children while she remains capable of doing so. To maximise this remaining time, the family has established a GoFundMe page, seeking contributions to help create memories, cover care costs and provide financial stability for her relatives after her death.
She emphasised that she does not wish people to believe she is simply attempting to profit from her diagnosis and expressed deep gratitude to everyone assisting and supporting her.
The fundraising effort has thus far accumulated £2,000.