'Baring all to stop my body becoming paralysed'

Jessica Riggs has created a calendar to raise money for treatment of a rare disease

A woman inspired by a film about a naked calendar has created her own version to raise funds to stop a rare disease progressing into paralysis.

Jessica Riggs, 32, from Saltash, Cornwall, was diagnosed with Neuro-Cranio-Vertebral Syndrome-Filum Disease at a clinic in Barcelona in June.

The condition means the fibrous tissue extending the whole length of the spinal cord is under too much tension.

She and 17 other women stripped off to create the calendar to pay for treatment in Spain, which she is due to undergo in January 2025.

Halting disease progression

Ms Riggs said she started to get symptoms of the disease 11 years ago and was referred to multiple neurologists in the NHS but no-one knew the cause.

"I have a herniated disc into my brain stem, two crushed discs in my lower back and one dehydrated disc, the start of scoliosis [a twisted spine condition] and extensive oedema [fluid build-up] in my spinal cord," said Ms Riggs.

Over time, the frequency of her symptoms increased and she gave up her job as a marine biologist and polar expedition guide.

Specialist treatment she has been offered costs £25,000 and is not available on the NHS in the UK.

She is now due to have surgery in Barcelona on 16 January 2025.

She said: "They don't guarantee the symptoms I have now will dissipate, but they do guarantee that it will halt the disease progressing into paralysis and incontinence."

Every month symbolises a theme which is special to Ms Riggs and November features her and her friend's dog

Ms Riggs and others joined together to the produce calendar after being inspired by the comedy-drama film Calendar Girls to raise the money.

The calendar is being sold by local businesses in Saltash.

"November stars myself and my friend's dog," she said.

Nigel Barret, from Tamar Fresh, said: "When we heard her story, it was a no-brainer that we agreed to sponsor one of the pages for her and sell the product in the shop."