Kaitie Nash has built an online presence known for celebrating first attempts, and now she embraces one of her own as she navigates life with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
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Since starting her platform, First Time Farmer, in 2023, Kaitie has advocated for rural communities, supported countless charities, and left audiences in stitches over the simplest farming chores.
True to form, she always grabs the bull by the horns and said this chapter would be no different.
"In September 2025 I had a dissociative episode where I couldn't talk, move or engage but I was aware and could hear everything," Kaitie said.
"I went into Baradine hospital, came good, then two hours later I could only communicate to my husband by my eyes."
Living on a cattle and cropping property west of Coonabarabran, in north-western NSW, her first thought was, "how much time do I have?"
"Being in a rural area, time is of the essence," she said.
"If something is really wrong, the thought crosses your mind if you'll make it."
Kaitie first heard of FND when she was flown to Dubbo Base Hospital, in NSW's Central West, for further tests.
"Everything on the machine; my blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, nothing changed, but all of a sudden I couldn't talk," she said.
"A doctor said it could be FND and I thought, what does that mean?"
She jumped onto Google and realised the disorder matched her symptoms.
FND can cause limb weakness, tremors, abnormal posturing and difficulty swallowing without any underlying disease or anatomical explanation.
Biological, psychological and social factors may contribute, but the cause is often unknown.
Three weeks ago, another episode left Kaitie in hospital.
"I didn't feel great so sat down and suddenly my limbs gave way," she said.
"My husband tried to help me up, but I was lying on the floor."
No one in Kaitie's family has experienced FND.
She doesn't know why it's happening, but hopes treatment will provide answers.
Management involves a multidisciplinary team including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, speech pathologists and social workers.
"My first thought was great, it's treatable, but do we have any of those services in my area," she said.
"Can it be done via telehealth, or is face-to-face support the best thing for me?
"I can't drive, so I'd need someone to take me to those appointments."
While her symptoms are more manageable than some, public wait times and private costs make access difficult.
A friend and neighbour started a GoFundMe for her treatment, raising nearly $55,000, though Kaitie isn't aware of the total.
"It's hard for me to look at it because I usually raise money for others, I don't take it," she said.
"The amount of messages I've received are overwhelming, it really reflects the country spirit."
At home, Kaitie is settling back into life with her two sons on the farm.
"When I have the shakes or tremors, my oldest will grab my arm and ask if I'm okay, but I say I'm having a little dance break," she said.
"Farming toughens you up. We throw around the word resilience a lot, but at the end of the day, you just have to keep going no matter what."
Elka Devney
Elka Devney was The Land's Dubbo-based journalist from early 2023 until mid-March 2026. During that time, she covered a wide range of topics, from cropping and cattle, with a particular interest in renewable energy.
