"It feels like you don't exist": 12-year-old girl from Yeovil shares her experience with long Covid
Emily continues to suffer with chronic pain and fatigue
Last updated 18th Oct 2024
A 12-year-old girl from Yeovil has shared her experience with Long Covid to raise awareness for the disease.
Emily was diagnosed in September 2021, and continues to suffer with chronic pain and fatigue.
"I have consistent pain throughout my body all the time," Emily said.
"I have pain in my left leg, my hands, my hips, my back, my shoulder and my neck.
"I can't concentrate, I forget things - it affects my entire brain."
BMJ Global Health have published a new study which reveals the key Long Covid characteristics, including fatigue, shortness of breath and having trouble thinking clearly.
Experts from around the world are calling for investment in diagnosis and management of the condition.
Emily believes the disease is still very misunderstood and people are unaware of the danger for all people, not just older generations.
"It kind of feels like you're hidden, like you don't exist," Emily said.
"Now Long Covid is a long term thing for me and I don't know how long it's going to last or how long it's going to effect me for.
"It feels like it's a small part of me now so when people say it doesn't happen it makes you think that they're not realising you.
"It doesn't just effect the person who has Long Covid, it effects the people around them.
"My family have suffered from it because I've been in pain and we haven't been able to do certain things because of me so we've all had to adapt to it."
Emily and her family have done a lot of fundraising for NHS charities since her diagnosis.
By walking laps of her garden using a walking aid, she has managed to raise more than £10,000.
"We need to take action and people need to take notice of it.
"Even now, when it's been all over the news, people aren't taking action."