A mum's life changed forever after her body began to rebel against her.
Laura Hinde contracted a chest infection which she thought her body would quickly recover from.
But in September 2018, the 28-year-old's body began to rebel against her and she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.
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Laura's immune system began attacking her spinal cord causing tremors and a loss of feeling down both her arms, CheshireLive reports.
She said: "You could have put a needle in me and I probably wouldn't have felt it."
Those initial symptoms cleared up when Laura had an MRI scan and it was hoped her experience was a "one-off".
But when the mum-of-two, from Ellesmere Port, completely lost the sight in her left eye she was referred to The Walton Centre.
Laura, who works part-time at Lloyds Banking Group, was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder - also known as Devic’s disease.
Devic’s disease is a rare neurological disorder that attacks the optic nerves, brain, and spinal cord, sometimes leading to long-term disabilities and in some cases even paralysis.
There is currently no cure.
Back in March 2020, Laura was forced to shield during the national lockdown and so began running support sessions for fellow sufferers via Zoom.
She has since become an ambassador for The Sumaira Foundation - a dedicated charity funding vital research.
Laura said: "I'd put the tremors down to anxiety because I'd been diagnosed with post-natal depression.
"When I lost my sight that really changed things for me. I could see nothing but darkness. You're used to having sight in both eyes and you take it a little bit for granted.
"Luckily after a high dose of steroids my sight returned over a period of about six months but I do still get blurred vision at times.
"When I was diagnosed I thought right, I've got this condition forever, and searched for help but realised there was nothing available in this country."
Laura said her condition is currently under control with medication and that she has recovered quite well compared to others.
She added: "Initially with it being lockdown I thought why now? Dealing with this in the middle of everything else going on, knowing that I could be put at risk.
"But we managed. I look back now and I enjoyed that time. I put my efforts into spending time with the kids and raising awareness."
Sadly, Laura lost her mum last year at the age of 51 after a long battle with MS.
She had been a huge support mechanism for Laura during her diagnosis, but despite her loss, Laura remains positive about the future.
She continued: "Yes, the last few years have been difficult, but I wouldn’t change any of it.
"It's given me a greater appreciation of life and a passion for helping others, most importantly it’s made me who I am today.
"My hopes for the future are to make sure that nobody else goes through this journey alone, and that patients and caregivers have access to the most up to date and relevant information, support, guidance as well as access to all treatments available."
For more information about the disorder visit sumairafoundation.org
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