Long Covid Perspectives

From the Gym to Care Plans: The Reality of Long Covid

In this episode, former NHS Mental Health Specialist Star talks to Naomi, a former Library Assistant and editor, whose life was decimated by COVID-19. Naomi went from running 5ks and lifting weights to being housebound and requiring a wheelchair for the shortest distances. "I was a gym rat at 25. Now, I need a carer to help me wash." We strip away the "warrior" clichés to discuss the brutal reality of becoming severely disabled in your mid-20s. In this episode, we expose: The Fitness Myth: Why being "fit and healthy" is no shield against a virus that attacks the autonomic nervous system. The Career Crash: The heartbreak of moving from a professional role in a library and research to a life defined by care plans and pacing. The Mobility Shift: Why accepting a wheelchair was both a "grief milestone" and a tool for freedom. The "Invisible" Struggle: How to handle a society that judges young disabled people because they "look fine" from the outside. Clinical Truths: Why grieving your "pre-sick" identity is the most important part of mental health recovery. This is the reality of the life-changing impact ofLong Covid on a generation told they were "low risk." **************************************************** About Long Covid Perspectives Podcast This is a self-produced and self-funded project dedicated to sharing lived experiences, insights, and research surrounding SARSCov2 and Long Covid. Our mission is to amplify voices and provide a platform for connection and advocacy. For all resources and links mentioned in our episodes—inc Important Covid and Long Covid Research, our Guest Directory, Our LC Community Merch Shop, and contact form—please visit our official hub:👉⁠https://linktr.ee/longcovidperspectives⁠ Support our UK Long Covid Petition: Develop and Fund a National Long COVID Strategy to Protect Patients andSociety. SIGN HERE If you find these stories helpful, please consider supporting the podcast and the wider community. You can do so by purchasing our handmade jewellery, mask chains, clothing, and accessories available through the shop link onour Linktree. We are always looking for guests to share their journeys. Whether you are suffering from Long Covid or a vaccine injury, or you are a Covid-cautious ally or researcher, we invite you to reach out. How to Apply: Complete the contact form on our Linktree or send us a DM on social media. Please prioritise your health and well-being. Use these resources if you need immediate assistance: Medical Emergency:Call 111 or 999 immediately. Emotional Support:Contact The Samaritans (UK) for free, 24/7, at 116 123. Community &Guidance: Join the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook, run by the Long Covid Charity (UK), to connect with a global community. ⁠Join here - Counselling:Contact your GP to request a referral to NHS Talking Therapies(IAPT). Or self refer here: 👉 https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression/ Support the Pod & Guests, Share and Join in on the Conversation!

A Mother’s Grief & A Son’s Stolen Youth

A Mother’s Grief & A Son’s Stolen Youth In this profoundly moving episode, Star sits down with friend Rachel, a clinical nutritionist whose life—and the life of her teenage son, J—was destroyed by Long Covid. Both Rachel and J are unvaccinated, and their story offers a raw look at the devastation of a "double impact" household. While Rachel is a professional who understands the mechanics of the body, nothing prepared her for the emotional landscape of watching her vibrant, athletic son lose his youth to a chronic disability. This isn't just a story about physical symptoms; it’s about the quiet, heavy grief of a mother mourning her son's lost opportunities. Rachel opens up about their shared struggles, the "Long Covid Bingo" of health complications, and the heartbreaking decision to send her son away to the Caribbean just for his own survival. This is a mother speaking the truth about the questions that haunt her for J’s future. This episode explores: • The Loss of the "Before": Remembering J as the energetic primary school athlete before the 2022 collapse. • The Clinical Gaslighting: Navigating a system that told a professional mother she was "overthinking things" and "creating something out of nothing". • The Weight of Uncertainty: The painful reality of wondering if a teenage son will ever experience the milestones of adulthood—work, marriage, and independence. • The Physical Toll: A detailed look at symptoms like internal "bone itching," fine motor skill loss, and the "Long Covid bingo" of organ damage. • The Mother's Sacrifice: The agonising decision to send her child away for his own well-being because the UK's environment and healthcare system were failing him. Emotional, and deeply human insight at the collateral damage left behind when a virus steals a child’s future. **************************************************** About Long Covid Perspectives Podcast This is a self-produced and self-funded project dedicated to sharing lived experiences, insights, and research surrounding SARSCov2 and Long Covid. Our mission is to amplify voices and provide a platform for connection and advocacy. For all links mentioned in our episodes—inc our Guest Directory, Our LC Community Merch Shop, and contact form—please visit our official hub👉⁠here If you find these stories helpful, please consider supporting the podcast and the wider community. You can do so by purchasing our handmade jewellery, mask chains, clothing, and accessories available through the shop link on our Link-tree. We are always looking for guests to share their journeys. Whether you are suffering from Long Covid or a vaccine injury, or you are a Covid-cautious ally or researcher, we invite you to reach out. How to Apply: Complete the contact form on our Link-tree or send us a DM on social media. Please prioritise your health and well-being. Use these resources if you need immediate assistance: Medical Emergency: Call 111 or 999 immediately. Emotional Support: Contact The Samaritans (UK) for free, 24/7, at 116 123. Community & Guidance: Join the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook, run by the Long Covid Charity (UK), to connect with a global community. ⁠Join here⁠. Counselling: Contact your GP to request a referral to NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT). Or self refer click here One to One Nutritional Support for Children & Families: Navigating ongoing health challenges or Long COVID can be difficult, but expert nutritional guidance can provide valuable support. For those seeking personalised advice, or intervention, feel free to explore the resources below. Business: Early Days Family Nutrition Contact: Rachel Instagram Page - Click here Support the Pod & Guests, Share and Join in on the Conversation!

In Sickness and in Health: Two Lives, One Virus!

In Sickness and in Health: Two Lives, One Virus ! What happens to a marriage when a thriving partnership instantly transforms into a relationship between patient and carer? In this episode, Star talks with Alan and Vicki for one of the most raw conversations yet. Alan, a former "high energy, Mr. Helpful" family man, describes the terrifying moment Long Covid caused him to go blind in one eye—a stark reminder of the neurological and vascular damage this virus leaves behind. "I woke up and the world was half-gone." We explore the devastating mental health implications of sudden disability and "role loss." How does a man who lived to provide and help others cope when he can no longer see his own future? Vicki shares the unfiltered reality of the "partner-to-carer" transition, moving from a teammate in a busy life and career, to the sole anchor of a household in crisis. In this episode, we unpick Alan & Vicki`s reality of: The Lights Going Out: Alan shares the terrifying reality of waking up blind in one eye—a physical symptom that exposes the neurological gravity of this virus. Building a Lifeline: Vicki discusses the "Role Reversal" of becoming a carer and how they took matters into their own hands by building the support networks the medical profession failed to provide. The Power of the Peer: How Alan and Vicki refused to be victims of a failing system, instead building their own support networks to catch others falling through the cracks. Adapting to Survive: Practical honest talk on how they’ve rewritten their marriage and roles to find a "new normal" amidst the shadows and chaos. The Voice for the Voiceless: Host Star (Former NHS Mental Health Specialist and LC sufferer) validates the massive psychological toll of this struggle, reminding listeners that surviving the worst times of our lives is a victory in itself, and to always give yourself grace. For every partner turned carer, every family fighting an invisible war, and anyone trying to understand the profound ripple effects of this ongoing pandemic, Alan and Vicki offer a raw, necessary, and deeply inspiring look at what it means to adapt and survive together. **************************************************** About Long Covid Perspectives Podcast This is a self-produced and self-funded project dedicated to sharing lived experiences, insights, and research surrounding SARSCov2 and Long Covid. Our mission is to amplify voices and provide a platform for connection and advocacy. For all links mentioned in our episodes—inc our Guest Directory, Our LC Community Merch Shop, and contact form—please visit our official hub:👉⁠https://linktr.ee/longcovidperspectives⁠ If you find these stories helpful, please consider supporting the podcast and the wider community. You can do so by purchasing our handmade jewellery, mask chains, clothing, and accessories available through the shop link on our Linktree. We are always looking for guests to share their journeys. Whether you are suffering from Long Covid or a vaccine injury, or you are a Covid-cautious ally or researcher, we invite you to reach out. How to Apply: Complete the contact form on our Linktree or send us a DM on social media. Please prioritise your health and well-being. Use these resources if you need immediate assistance: Medical Emergency: Call 111 or 999 immediately. Emotional Support: Contact The Samaritans (UK) for free, 24/7, at 116 123. Community & Guidance: Join the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook, run by the Long Covid Charity (UK), to connect with a global community. ⁠Join here⁠. Counselling: Contact your GP to request a referral to NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT). Support the Pod & Guests, Share and Join in on the Conversation!

• Transcript

The Doctor Who Couldn’t Be Saved: Over 13 Re-Infections & Counting!

The Doctor Who Couldn’t Be Saved: Over 13 Re-Infections & Counting! What happens when the person trained to save lives becomes the one fighting for their own? In our premiere episode of Long Covid Perspectives, we sit down with Pooja, a former NHS General Practitioner who spent her career on the front lines in Yorkshire. In early 2020, before the world even understood the word "lockdown, "Pooja became one of the world's first UK "long-haulers." –But her journey didn't stop there! "I'm a GP. I know what anxiety feels like, and this isn't it." Over the next four years to this present day, she has contracted over a staggering 13 re-infections, navigating almost every mutated variant of the virus. SARSCov19 (aka Covid19), has dismantled her career, health, and her identity, now trapped in a body she no longer recognises. In this episode, Pooja reveals the "invisible" war she is fighting: The Physical Toll and Poking Reality: From heart failure, a brain bleed and blackouts to the permanent "ridge" of a heart monitor implanted in her chest. The 13 Reinfections: Navigating life with her young children contracting almost every mutated variant of COVID-19 and the devastating toll it has taken on her body. The GP as a Patient: The psychological trauma of medical gaslighting, being told her organ damage and symptoms were “just anxiety,” despite her medical expertise, and evidence. A Family Under Siege: The devastating ripple effect of Long COVID on her husband and children, as they all navigate a shared life of chronic illness. The Loss of Identity: The grief of moving from a high-energy "fantasy life" as a doctor to a reality where making a cup of tea, or brushing her teeth feels like a mountain. From the energetic "bam, bam, bam" of her pre-COVID life to the daily grief of an "invisible disability," Pooja’s transparency is a wake-up call to the reality of the pandemic's lasting legacy. This is a raw expert led conversation about the "cruel illness" that doesn't discriminate between the healthy and the sick, the young or the old. "It's not just grieving once, it's grieving every day." Whether you are a fellow sufferer, a medical professional, or someone trying to understand the lasting legacy of the pandemic, Pooja’s story is a vital, haunting, and necessary listen. **************************************************** About Long Covid Perspectives Podcast This is a self-produced and self-funded project dedicated to sharing lived experiences, insights, and research surrounding SARSCov2 and Long Covid. Our mission is to amplify voices and provide a platform for connection and advocacy. For all links mentioned in our episodes—inc our Guest Directory, Our LC Community Merch Shop, and contact form—please visit our official hub: 👉https://linktr.ee/longcovidperspectives If you find these stories helpful, please consider supporting the podcast and the wider community. You can do so by purchasing our handmade jewellery, mask chains, clothing, and accessories available through the shop link on our Linktree. We are always looking for guests to share their journeys. Whether you are suffering from Long Covid or a vaccine injury, or you are a Covid-cautious ally or researcher, we invite you to reach out. How to Apply: Complete the contact form on our Linktree or send us a DM on social media. Pease prioritise your health and well-being. Use these resources if you need immediate assistance: Medical Emergency: Call 111 or 999 immediately. Emotional Support: Contact The Samaritans (UK) for free, 24/7, at 116 123. Community & Guidance: Join the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook, run by the Long Covid Charity (UK), to connect with a global community. Join here. Counselling: Contact your GP to request a referral to NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT). Support the Pod & Guests, Share and Join in on the Conversation!

Allow Me To Introduce Myself & The Pod! (Trailer)

Long Covid Perspectives The unfiltered reality of Long Covid 🎙️ Real voices, real people! Hosted by Star—an unvaccinated NHS Specialist in Mental Health, Employment, and Social Care who developed severe Long Covid in 2022—this pod blends clinical insight with unfiltered lived experiences. Together, we examine the loss of health, identity, relationships, and work, while navigating the mess of healthcare and benefits systems. From challenging stigma to amplifying caregivers, we skip the sugar-coating to get into the nitty-gritty of life changed by Long Covid. No gaslighting—just real talk! (and a good vent, of course.) We feature patients, families, carers, and experts sharing their personal journeys and the truths of how COVID-19, Long COVID, or the COVID-19 vaccines have impacted their lives and the lives of their loved ones. *************************************** Get Involved, Resources & Stay Connected: A heartfelt thank you for listening to our podcast and honouring our stories. Long Covid Perspectives is entirely self-funded and a self-produced project dedicated to sharing lived experiences, insights, and research surrounding SARSCov2 and Long Covid. Our mission is to amplify voices and provide a platform for connection and advocacy. In terms of the quality of the episodes: I am still learning the ropes of this 'editing malarkey,' so I appreciate your patience as my learning grows! Call To Action: Please continue to raise awareness for this cruel disease; it affects us all, and your support helps ensure no one has to face it alone. As you know, it doesn’t discriminate and could be you or your loved one affected at any point.For all links mentioned in our episodes—inc our Guest Directory, Our LC Community Merch Shop, & contact form👉please click here to visit our official resources hub. If you find these stories helpful,please consider supporting the podcast and the wider community. You can do so by purchasing our handmade jewellery, mask chains,clothing, and accessories available through the shop link on our Linktree. Want to share your story?! We are always looking for guests to share their journeys. Whether you are suffering from Long Covid or a vaccine injury, or you are a Covid cautious ally or researcher, we invite you to reach out. How to Apply: Complete the contact form on our Linktree or send us a DM on social media. Pease prioritise your health and well-being. Use these resources if you need immediate assistance: • Medical Emergency: Call 111 or 999 immediately. • Emotional Support: Contact The Samaritans (UK) for free, 24/7, at 116 123. • Community & Guidance: Join the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook, run by the Long Covid Charity (UK), to connect with a global community. ⁠Join here⁠. • Counselling: Contact your GP to request a referral to NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT). Take Care out their peoples x Support the Pod, Share, Join in on the Conversations!