For Amelia Guest, a 14-year-old from Palmerston North, life has become a series of recurring, disorienting cycles. For nearly two years, she has experienced frequent episodes of unconsciousness, often occurring every three days. Each time she regains consciousness, she faces a profound loss of identity, unable to recognize her parents or understand her surroundings.
Amelia’s mother, Lizi Guest, describes the ordeal as a “horror story.” The teenager’s medical journey began when she was 12 years old and collapsed while playing netball. Initially, she was treated for hemiplegic migraines, but her condition persisted, leading to a general diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This condition, which doctors describe as a misfiring of brain network signals, remains challenging to treat, as it does not respond to standard medication or surgical intervention.
The impact on Amelia’s life has been severe. Once an active, thriving student, she has faced significant hurdles, including temporary losses of sight, hearing, and the ability to read, write, or speak. Her mother notes that after each episode, Amelia requires at least 18 hours to begin piecing her memory back together, a process that must repeat frequently—sometimes up to 11 times in a single day.
The family has faced immense pressure navigating the medical system. Lizi Guest recalled that early in the process, some medical staff questioned whether the symptoms were related to anxiety or if the child was faking the condition. The family was even directed toward adult mental health services, an option her parents deemed unsuitable for a 13-year-old with no history of mental health struggles. Health New Zealand has declined to comment on the specifics of the case.
Support has arrived in the form of a service dog named Sammy, provided by the charitable trust Pawsible Service Dogs. Sammy is trained to recognize the physical cues that precede an episode, such as fidgeting or clenching hands, and can alert Amelia or provide a focal point for her to reset. This partnership aims to restore some of the independence Amelia lost, potentially allowing her to navigate her community more safely.
Carletta Macdonald, a team leader at the Central Regional Health School for Manawatu, has worked with Amelia for 18 months and emphasizes that the reality of the condition is difficult to comprehend without witnessing it. “You have to see it to believe it,” Macdonald said, noting the stark contrast between the days Amelia is alert and the days she struggles to remember basic functions.
As Amelia continues her education and fundraising efforts, her path forward remains uncertain. With no clear medical solution currently available, her daily life is likely to continue to be defined by these cycles of memory loss and recovery. Analysts and medical observers may monitor such cases to better understand the long-term support needs for adolescents living with FND, as the family continues to search for ways to help Amelia reach the milestones typical of her age.
