Flic's Story
The reality of living with Long Covid
Hello Lovely People!
This week the nation is pondering on the fact it is 5 years ago since we all went into lockdown. For the majority Covid is becoming a distant memory – a time that has past and can now be forgotten – but for many people it has left a lasting legacy; one that they live with everyday…
A couple of weeks ago it was Long Covid Awareness Day, and our wonderful friend Flic posted on her Instagram about the changes to her life that she has had to cope with in the last five years.
We first met Flic when she was aged 16, and Nathan was around 10. Cerys was about three. We had started having students from a local college come to our house to assist me in helping them both with their home-based physiotherapy programmes from Brainwave. Most of the students who came wanted to go into physiotherapy, medicine, teaching, etc. It was a different time and wouldn’t be allowed now with all the DBS and health and safety rules! Flic was one of those students…
Flic knew she definitely wanted to be a physiotherapist, and, even at her young age she was able to take on board all the instructions, but also combine them with her own initiative in order to encourage Nathan and Cerys, who weren’t always enthusiastic!
When she left us to go to university we kept in touch, and even when she spent time in Chile (where she met her husband Jose) we would message or do a video call. Flic is one of those special people who has always encouraged both Nathan and Cerys and made them feel like they can achieve anything they want to.
She has a great sense of humour and spending time chatting to her is always a joy. She is a great friend of all the family.
I am so honoured that she has allowed me to share her story, in her own words, that she originally posted on Long Covid Awareness Day.
“Today is Long Covid Awareness Day, and I want to share my story.
Five years ago, I started my dream job, learning and growing as a paediatric physiotherapist while enjoying an active, independent life. When the pandemic hit, everything changed. I was redeployed within the NHS, workouts shifted to the garden, and social interactions were limited to video calls. It was tough, but at least the weather was nice.
What I didn’t know then, was that Covid would leave lasting effects. My infection in early 2020 seemed mild, but the fatigue and breathing difficulties gradually worsened, and everyday life became impossible. Over the past five years, I've had over 500 medical consultations, six hospital admissions, and trialled numerous treatments—some successful, many not.
Now, I’ve lost my dream job and rely on others for simple things like washing my hair. I struggle to walk more than 30 meters and use a wheelchair or walking aids to leave the house. My most limiting symptoms are severe fatigue, brain fog, pain, and sensory sensitivity. They’re unpredictable—what I can do one day may not be possible the next. I spend every day managing my symptoms.
Many still think the pandemic is over, or that Covid is a minor illness. In the UK alone, 2 million people are living with Long Covid. There’s no cure. I’m learning to accept my limitations. It’s challenging, but it’s also helping me rebuild my life. I hope for treatments that allow people to recover 100% from Long Covid, to regain their independence, and the chance to reclaim their dreams.
Ps thought I’d posted this yesterday but classic brain fog I hadn’t! it’s the reality of long covid!”
Flic also posted a reel on Instagram which shows the reality of living with Long Covid, and you can view it here:
It is my belief that we need to hear and read the stories of those with lived experience. We would be so grateful if you could share her story…
and share yours with us…
Thank you for sharing Flic's journey and experience, Donna. I agree that amplifying lived experiences is so important. My thoughts and heartfelt wishes to Flic and Jose.