<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a debilitating condition with widely varying symptoms, including movement disorders and tremors, paralysis, non-epileptic seizures, drop-attacks, visual symptoms such as blindness, photophobia and double vision, speech impairment, and stutter. FND is not rare, with an estimated prevalence of 50/100,000 in the general population. Despite being one of the most common reasons to be seen in neurology, few neurology programs treat FND or refer to outpatient treatment pathways. The estimated cost of FND care is $1.2 billion annually – higher than demyelinating diseases and refractory epilepsy; treatment costs for pediatric FND increased by 113% between 2006 and 2012 (compared to a 72% increase for epilepsy).  <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">FNDcourage is a nonprofit organization developed by Dr. Afra Moenter to expand traditional models of care for individuals living with FND. Dr. Moenter, an expert in the treatment of FND, currently provides high-quality treatment and education in a supportive and healing community through the FNDcourage online course.  Over the past five years, more than 200 individuals with FND have taken the online course, leading to symptom reduction and better quality of life. In addition, participants have reported an increase in knowledge about FND, a sense of belonging, better mental health, and feelings of hope and motivation to participate fully in life again.  <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">The FNDcourage Retreat is built on the practices of the online course and is the first of its kind.  The retreats take place in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and provides a place of healing, rest, and community that has not yet been offered to this population. The goal of the retreats is to be part of a non-judgmental and caring community supporting each other in a life-affirming and nervous system friendly lifestyle. The retreats are led by professionals and volunteers who share skills and strategies to decrease FND symptoms. Participants take part in FND-related education sessions led by Dr. Moenter, mindfulness exercises, yoga, nature experiences, as well as learning about and eating brain-healthy foods. The practices learned turn into an essential resource carried forward by participants in their lives long after the retreat experience.  <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">There will be two retreats in 2024:<ul><li style="line-height:1.295;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Teen Retreat:  July 14 - 18</li><li style="line-height:1.295;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Adult Retreat:  September 4-8</li></ul><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">FNDcourage depends on individual and corporate donations to advance the continued support and services to this vulnerable population.  Donations and sponsorships are needed to make the yearly retreats affordable and successful.  Donation provided will go directly to:<ul><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;box-sizing:inherit"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Scholarships for those who don’t have the financial resources to participate </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;box-sizing:inherit"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">24/7 medical support during the Retreat</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;box-sizing:inherit"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Freshly cooked, brain-healthy foods prepared by a personal chef</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;box-sizing:inherit"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Food and lodging for the volunteers</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;box-sizing:inherit"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Educational and support materials/activities for the attendees </li></ul>

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{lastname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">Last name, We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This donation greatly helps our mission of supporting those living with FND.   We will now be able to: - create offer an in-person community- share joy and health- offer support to those with FND- spread hope- learn and rejuvenate If you would like to contribute further, contact us to become a volunteer or talk to your friends about our cause! Your FNDcourage Teamretreat@fndcourage.org

Thank you for fundraising with us this year again! Here is more information.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a debilitating condition with widely varying symptoms, including movement disorders and tremors, paralysis, non-epileptic seizures, drop-attacks, visual symptoms such as blindness, photophobia and double vision, speech impairment, and stutter. FND is not rare, with an estimated prevalence of 50/100,000 in the general population. Despite being one of the most common reasons to be seen in neurology, few neurology programs treat FND or refer to outpatient treatment pathways. The estimated cost of FND care is $1.2 billion annually – higher than demyelinating diseases and refractory epilepsy; treatment costs for pediatric FND increased by 113% between 2006 and 2012 (compared to a 72% increase for epilepsy).  FNDcourage is a nonprofit organization developed by Dr. Afra Moenter to expand traditional models of care for individuals living with FND. Dr. Moenter, an expert in the treatment of FND, currently provides high-quality treatment and education in a supportive and healing community through the FNDcourage online course.  Over the past five years, more than 200 individuals with FND have taken the online course, leading to symptom reduction and better quality of life. In addition, participants have reported an increase in knowledge about FND, a sense of belonging, better mental health, and feelings of hope and motivation to participate fully in life again.  The FNDcourage Retreat is built on the practices of the online course and is the first of its kind.  The retreats take place in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and provides a place of healing, rest, and community that has not yet been offered to this population. The goal of the retreats is to be part of a non-judgmental and caring community supporting each other in a life-affirming and nervous system friendly lifestyle. The retreats are led by professionals and volunteers who share skills and strategies to decrease FND symptoms. Participants take part in FND-related education sessions led by Dr. Moenter, mindfulness exercises, yoga, nature experiences, as well as learning about and eating brain-healthy foods. The practices learned turn into an essential resource carried forward by participants in their lives long after the retreat experience.  There will be two retreats in 2024:<ul><li>Teen Retreat:  July 14 - 18</li><li>Adult Retreat:  September 4-8</li></ul>FNDcourage depends on individual and corporate donations to advance the continued support and services to this vulnerable population.  Donations and sponsorships are needed to make the yearly retreats affordable and successful.  Donation provided will go directly to:<ul><li>Scholarships for those who don’t have the financial resources to participate </li><li>24/7 medical support during the Retreat</li><li>Freshly cooked, brain-healthy foods prepared by a personal chef</li><li>Food and lodging for the volunteers</li><li>Educational and support materials/activities for the attendees </li></ul>

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FNDcourage Retreat

### Context Profile for FNDcourage Retreat

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - **Mission**: FNDcourage Retreat is dedicated to providing transformative experiences for teens aged 13 to 17 who are affected by Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). The organization aims to educate, support, and empower these teens through a retreat that fosters connection, resilience, and personal growth.
   - **Cause**: The retreat focuses on helping teens navigate the challenges of FND, offering educational sessions, mindfulness practices, and opportunities for social connection in a supportive environment.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Retreats**: The primary activity is the annual FNDcourage Teen Retreat, which includes:
     - Group education sessions led by specialists on FND-informed topics.
     - Fun indoor and outdoor activities facilitated by the YMCA.
     - Mindfulness practices, yoga, guided movement, and game nights.
     - Opportunities for teens to ask questions and share experiences.
     - Evening gatherings in welcoming cabins with meals prepared by a guest chef.
   - **Community Engagement**: The organization fosters a sense of community among participants, encouraging lasting connections and support networks.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of the website and communications is **friendly**, **supportive**, and **inspiring**. It conveys warmth and encouragement, aiming to create a welcoming atmosphere for teens and their families. The language is accessible and relatable, making it easy for the target audience to connect with the content.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The website does not prominently feature emojis in its content. However, the tone remains engaging and approachable without the need for emoji usage. Future communications could consider incorporating emojis sparingly to enhance emotional connection, especially in social media posts or informal emails.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details are not provided on the website, but the organization is focused on addressing the needs of teens with FND.
   - **Scale**: The organization has conducted 11 forms and 9 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement strategy.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed, the retreat's structure suggests a focus on personal development and community building.
   - **Volunteer Info**: There is no specific mention of volunteer opportunities on the website, but the organization may benefit from engaging volunteers to support retreat activities.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a conversational and supportive tone. Avoid overly technical language; instead, opt for clear, simple explanations that resonate with teens and their families.
   - **Structure**: Organize content with headings and bullet points for easy readability. Use short paragraphs to maintain engagement.
   - **Call to Action**: Encourage participation and inquiries with clear, inviting language. Phrases like "Join us," "Learn more," and "Reach out" can enhance engagement.
   - **Personalization**: Incorporate personal touches in communications, such as addressing recipients by name and acknowledging their specific interests or concerns.

This context profile serves as a comprehensive guide for creating personalized content that aligns with FNDcourage Retreat's mission, activities, and communication style.

FNDcourage Retreat

Donate to Make the First FNDcourage Retreat a Success

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