A UK nurse has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive neurological condition that gradually destroys brain cells controlling movement. The diagnosis came just weeks after her 40th birthday, and she has been given a prognosis of two to three years to live.

MND, which famously affected scientist Stephen Hawking, leads to muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately death. Laura Ann Fitt, from Nottinghamshire, first noticed muscle twitches in her left knee and foot last summer. Initially, she attributed the symptoms to excessive walking during a trip to New York and magnesium deficiency, a common cause of muscle spasms.

However, when supplements did not alleviate the issue, she consulted her GP, leading to a six-month period of investigations. Doctors considered various conditions, including multiple sclerosis and functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition where neurological symptoms occur despite normal brain scans. FND can manifest as weakness, tremors, or seizure-like episodes, and sometimes cognitive difficulties.

By early this year, Fitt's condition had worsened, requiring her to use a walking stick. During a neurology appointment in January, she raised concerns about the possibility of motor neurone disease, though it was initially dismissed. A nerve test, electromyography (EMG), could not confirm or rule out MND at that time.

Her symptoms continued to progress, and by May, she required a wheelchair for appointments. A lumbar puncture performed shortly before her 40th birthday ruled out autoimmune conditions. A repeat EMG on July 2 confirmed her fears, and she received the MND diagnosis two days later.

Fitt, a mother of four, expressed her heartbreak at the thought of leaving her children, particularly her 15-year-old son Alex, who is blind and autistic. "I thought, how are they going to cope without me? I don't want to leave them, but I don't have a choice," she stated. She worries about not witnessing her children's future milestones and supporting them.

Now, as both a nurse and a patient, Fitt hopes to raise awareness and encourage others experiencing persistent symptoms to advocate for themselves. "The nurse in me wants to get the message out there. If sharing my story helps even one person get answers sooner, then it's worth it," she said.

Approximately 5,000 people are estimated to live with motor neurone disease in the UK, with most diagnoses occurring between the ages of 50 and 70. Actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in "Euphoria" and "Grey's Anatomy," was diagnosed with ALS, a form of MND, and passed away in February 2025. Other notable figures, including rugby players Rob Burrow and Lewis Moody, and former cricketer David Lawrence, have also been affected by the disease.