In July 2021 I was admitted into intensive care with type one respiratory failure caused by Covid pneumonia, witnessing people on ventilators slowly deteriorating around me. For my recovery, I spent the next six months regaining the ability to walk and breathe normally. It’s now nearly two years later and every day since my hospital admission has been a heavy reminder of the effects Covid still has on my life.
Routine tasks like washing the dishes or sitting up straight at a desk or dining table can cause my whole body to cramp up. I’ve often had to excuse myself at a dinner with friends and spend 10 minutes doubled over in pain in a disabled toilet. To give you a visual: imagine Peter Parker turning into Spider-Man for the first time? It’s like that. I even had to leave my best friend’s wedding after the speeches; sobbing and apologising because I was in agony and only a strong painkiller and sleep could stop it.
