Bell’s Palsy: Living with Unpredictable Symptoms and the Call for Awareness

Upon seeing Tulisa Contostavlos on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Amy Green remarked that it was “like looking at a mirror image” of herself. Despite their differing appearances, both individuals have experienced Bell’s palsy, a condition that impacts roughly one in 70 people in the UK during their lifetime. Amy, aged 42, promptly identified the effects of Bell’s palsy on Tulisa’s face, stating, “there’s volume that lacks in her face, which is very similar to mine”. She expressed approval of the celebrity’s presence on prime-time television, believing it would contribute to increased awareness. Amy commented, “You can’t get a bigger platform than I’m a Celebrity to talk about things, so it’s wonderful she’s in there.” Tulisa, 36, initially discussed her experience with Bell’s palsy on Olivia Atwood’s So Wrong It’s Right podcast, revealing that her first episode occurred at age 24. She recounted receiving steroid injections, which led to swelling before her face subsequently drooped and stayed that way for seven months, a period during which she said she hid in her house. She also mentioned having undergone multiple surgeries since then to achieve facial balance. Nevertheless, during her participation in the current series of I’m a Celebrity, Tulisa has faced criticism regarding her appearance from certain viewers. This led broadcaster Rylan Clark to implore individuals on X not to “make jokes about her”. For Amy, a resident of Leeds, the condition manifested seven years prior, following a demanding period in her professional life. She elaborated, “I was exceptionally busy. I was doing 60-plus hours a week and I had a second job. Something had to give – and it was me.” Amy recalled first noticing an issue during a visit to the hairdresser. She stated, “I remember looking at myself in the mirror and thinking I didn’t feel like I was there. I’d felt a little unwell in the run-up to it. I’d had like headaches and pain.” She continued, “I’d gone to bed on the Sunday night thinking I just needed some rest. Then I woke up with a really droopy face and my eyes sort of wide open.” The symptoms intensified over the day, with her face drooping further and her speech becoming slurred. Amy reported that her doctor promptly diagnosed her with Bell’s palsy. Her recovery spanned over 18 months, and she noted that even seven years later, certain areas of her face remain immobile. She commented, “I think I was one of the unlucky ones. It doesn’t always take as long to recover for many people.” Amy added, “Sometimes I could go to bed and it looked one way, and then I’d wake up and it looked a completely different way the next day.” The NHS defines Bell’s palsy as a condition characterized by temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles on one side, with symptoms differing among individuals. This unilateral facial weakness can be categorized as either a partial palsy, involving mild muscle weakness, or a complete palsy, signifying a total lack of movement. The condition can also impact the eyelid and mouth, impeding their ability to close and open. Amy stated that although she comprehends Tulisa’s decision to undergo multiple surgeries for Bell’s palsy, she personally opted against such procedures. She explained, “I was offered Botox, but I decided not to take it because I don’t think it’s the right thing.” She elaborated, “You’re trying to match your other side all the time and I can’t tell you what this side of my face is going to do in two hours, let alone in two days.“Therefore, I chose physical therapy to try and loosen up this side of my face and try to encourage it to come back with stretches.” Amy noted that living with Bell’s palsy has altered her life considerably in various aspects: she can only drink using a straw, must prioritize rest more diligently, and finds consuming fast food challenging. She recounted, “One time I was trying to go to McDonald’s with nieces and nephews,” adding, “I tried to eat something there and I had to bring my own cutlery so I could kind of cut it up and, like, eat a burger. “However, she affirmed, “But food was never going to stop me. I’m far too much of a foodie.” Amy mentioned her good fortune in having a robust support system, which includes assistance from the charity Facial Palsy UK. However, she also shared that colleagues and unfamiliar individuals have not consistently been supportive, and similar to Tulisa, she has encountered adverse comments after television appearances. She stated, “I appeared on TV during the election a couple of years ago. Every single time I go on TV, you can guarantee somebody says something about my face.” Amy questioned, “And I just think sometimes it’s quite cruel, isn’t it, that people think they can have that conversation?” Nevertheless, Amy expressed her belief that experiencing Bell’s palsy has strengthened her character. She remarked, “I think it’s made me more empathetic. It’s opened up my eyes, pun intended, to understand disabilities for other people.” Amy recalled that when “everything kind of fell apart”, she faced choices and ultimately decided, “I can help and I make that a bit better for others.” She elaborated, “You know, I’ll wallow for a while and then pull my big girl socks up and get on with it.” She concluded, “So, yeah, it’s been tough, but it certainly could have been worse.” In the interim, Amy conveyed her strong commendation for Tulisa’s participation in I’m a Celebrity and her efforts to raise awareness for a condition impacting numerous individuals. She commented, “It’s kind of really nice to have that,” adding, “I think it’s just good they give a platform to things like that. I wish her all the best.” Clarification 12 December 2024: A sentence within this article has been revised to specify the lifetime prevalence rate of Bell’s palsy. 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