Teen who suddenly lost use of legs vows to appear on stage
Polly Mok lost use of her legs six weeks ago – but she has set herself the goal to be back on her feet next month to perform.
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Six weeks ago, 18-year-old Polly Mok lost use of her legs in bizarre circumstances.
Polly was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which has left her without the use of her legs and occasionally the inability to speak – and her family with a whole lot of unanswered questions.
On top of her new diagnoses, Polly also lives with autism and Pathological
Demand Avoidance (PDA), which has made the last month of her life extra challenging.
“I was in the car, and I couldn’t get out or take my seat belt off,” Polly said, describing her first experience of losing her ability to walk.
“I went and had a nap on the couch and my legs just wouldn’t work.
“It’s hard to remember much because I was crying so much.”
Her dad Jason has had to take time off work to take care of his daughter as she tries to navigate FND.
Although Polly had been living with autism and PDA, the Mok family have found her recent battle the most challenging yet.
“It’s actually really incapacitating for all of us,” Jason said.
“Between the FND and PDA, along with Polly’s autism, it’s very difficult to manage all of them, and some of the meltdowns it causes.”
Despite the unknown cause of her condition, and not yet on her journey to walking again, Polly has a “stay happy even when sad” attitude.
She has set herself the goal to be back on her feet by the end of June to perform in the Western Sydney Musical Theatre Company’s junior musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Lindfield Learning Village.
Playing the character of Mrs Gloop, Polly will be required to walk in the role, which has given her the deadline to try to get the use of her legs back.
Polly is doing physio therapy twice a week, and still working at the gym to enhance her chances of walking for the show.
“It stopped me from going to the Easter Show so I don’t want to miss out on doing this,” Polly said.
“We are happy people and we want to be happy, so I have continued to rehearse, sing, dance, and I really hope I get to be a part of the show.”
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