The rom-like plot of “50 First Dates” is much less romantic actually.
Life is somehow comparable to Drew Barrymore’s 2004 film for UK-based influencer TanTok Megan Jackson, whose Functional Neurological Disorder causes several symptoms, including memory loss.
The 21-year-old was diagnosed with a debilitating brain condition when she was 17 and, as a result, is experiencing temporary paralysis, memory problems and seizures. He has dedicated himself to documenting his experience with TikTok, where he has more than 332,000 followers.
His girlfriend, Tara Sorkin, 22, has developed a variety of sweet methods to help jog Jackson’s memory, including keeping a diary, taking her to places she’s been before, and recently celebrating the day. of Valentine several times.
“We have only been together for a few months and we have spent too much time. We shouldn’t have gone through that amount of trauma and I’ve forgotten it at least four times, “Jackson told the Mirror. “It’s like ‘first 50 dates.’
Sometimes, after a convulsion and a clearing of the resulting memory, 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,'” he told the publication, “because of his chronic illness, he thinks it’s impossible to really know his sexuality” because I forgot. ”
Perhaps the cruelest part of FND is that it is triggered by extreme emotions, including happiness.
“It simply came to our notice then. I have seizures almost every day, ”he said. “I just need to laugh and then I have an attack. It affects every part of my life. “
Particularly funny or sad TV shows can trigger it, as well as stress. He tried to suppress a seizure, which made it worse: “You have to do it.”
Its state has made it difficult to maintain traditional employment.
“I can’t work. I have been given so many jobs, ”he said
This month, Jackson launched a GoFundMe so he can pay for private healthcare instead of the care provided by the UK’s National Public Health Service.