Zamira
It all started with a music concert.
What followed was two weeks of temperatures, headaches, brain fog, fatigue and nausea. Getting up was a constant risk due to dizzy spells and the danger of fainting. Confined to a dark room due to how sensitive she was to noise and light, Zamira only left her bed to go to the toilet.
But still, the infection didn’t let up.
Weeks passed and new symptoms emerged, including hair loss and insomnia. And after countless blood tests, X-rays, ECGs and more, the diagnosis was in. Zamira was suffering from long covid.
Her life’s not been the same since.
Hobbies, socialising and school days are out. In fact, Zamira’s teachers are looking at extenuating circumstances for her GCSEs, knowing she’ll be unable to sit them in exam conditions. And while Zamira can handle short 15-minute periods of social, physical or mental activity, she needs to rest for about 45 minutes afterwards. These days, taking a shower by herself feels like a positive step forward.
But while there’s still a long road ahead, life is starting to look up for Zamira. Her appetite has returned and she’s able to sit up and play a game with the family - if she’s had enough rest. She can now concentrate for short bursts of time and, as the dark circles around her eyes become less noticeable, as do the grey clouds that once threatened to dampen her future.
It’s still hard to look forward to the prospect of sixth form, which is both worrying and frustrating. But the family takes things day by day. Knowing there’ll be life after Long Covid in time, they just stay patient ‘til her natural rhythm returns.
That is why Long Covid Kids is committed to supporting research and creating resources like the LCK Educational Toolkit, and with your help, we can continue our work. Please consider donating today and help us be there for every family who needs us.
Long Covid Kids supports children and young people living with Long Covid and related illnesses, as well as the families and caregivers who look after them. We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work. And this is why we need your help to continue helping children like Zamira who are struggling with Long Covid.
Please donate today to give children with Long Covid a brighter future.
£20 could help us continue championing the rights of children like Zamira whose lives have been turned upside down by Long Covid.
£10 could help us run weekly support sessions for children like Zamira who are immensely isolated by their illness.
£5 could help us moderate chat forums for young people like Zamira desperate to connect with others in the same situation.
Your gift can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these brave young people. Thank you for your support.
If you are a young person who has been affected by the ongoing symptoms of COVID, support is available, with or without a diagnosis. More info here.
If you, or someone you know has had a change in their health following a COVID infection reliable support and information can be found here:
