Weymouth woman tells how her battle with Long Covid goes on

In 2020, Kitty McFarland, from Weymouth, caught Covid and ever since has seen her life turn into a ‘rollercoaster’ after developing symptoms brought on by Long Covid.

Most people normally feel better within a few days, or weeks, however for millions of people across the UK, like Kitty, the symptoms are something they continue to live with.

READ: Weymouth woman's fight against long Covid amid inquiry

“It's been a whirlwind really," explains Kitty, who is now 18.

“I wasn't expecting to get ill as someone so fit and healthy, and I have had so many ups and downs.

“In winter I get so ill I can’t go to school - it’s been a rollercoaster.

“It's mentally very difficult, not just physically, I have struggled with my mental health and it makes my physical state a lot worse."

Kitty campaigning for long Covid awareness atthe Covid Inquiry in London (Image: Sammie McFarland)

For four years, Kitty, who attends Kingston Maurward College, has been unable to attend college as much as she would have liked and has had to sit all her exams at home.

She is longing to move forward with her life and follow her dream of becoming a vet and an animal behaviour specialist.

“Over the last four years I have had to learn how to live with this new disability," Kitty added. 

"Before I got Covid I was a fitness freak, aerial trapeze artist, horse rider, and ballet dancer of 10 years.

READ: Tens of thousands of Dorset people could be suffering from long Covid

“All my energy goes into managing daily living activities, the normal things young people do without even thinking like showering and studying, so I can't get a job right now, but I want to in the future which is why going to college is so important to me," she added.

“I try to attend regularly but often run out of energy so I fall asleep in class, find it hard to concentrate or experience chronic pain.

“It can be hard for people to understand and it's very isolating.”

In order to do achieve her goals, Kitty needs the use of an electric wheelchair to help her get around outdoors, however, the cost of even the most basic one is £3,000, and that is money her and her family simply do not have.

Therefore Kitty set up a GoFundMe page to help pay towards the electric wheelchair so she can move forward with her life and make the most of it.

READ: Weymouth mother develops resource for kids with long Covid

Her original target of £3,000 has almost been achieved, but upon discussing with a specialist provider of mobility scooters – it soon became apparent that it would likely not be enough as the wheelchair at that price would likely not suit her needs.

Kitty has a love of the outdoors and has to deal with the hills around her home and at college, therefore what she needs to is an all-terrain wheelchair.

She is now looking at having to raise nearly £12,000 just to be able to do the simplest things in life – something that many people may take for granted, like going out and enjoying the countryside around her.

Kitty campaigning for long Covid awareness at the Covid Inquiry in London (Image: Sammie McFarland)

She continued: “The only way I have managed to get into college at all is with medication that is prescribed privately. It is expensive but without medication I was stuck in bed, with almost no mobility for a year.

“It's taking me a long time to accept where I am right now, but I'm ready to make the most of what I can do.

“It would just be really great if people can understand that although I have raised the £3,000, it is for a very basic chair and it will struggle with the terrain.

"So if people are willing, I would like to live outdoors, my life is about travelling the countryside and a basic chair can’t handle that.”

To donate to Kitty's GoFundMe page and to find out more about the challenges she has faced living with long Covid visit www.gofundme.com/f/Help-kitty-get-some-wheels