A woman who passed away after suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome has been described as a “warrior” in her fight to raise awareness for the illness.
Kara Jane Spencer fell ill with a severe form of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) 15 years ago, leaving her unable to walk and rely on around the clock care.
However, despite the debilitating illness, Kara completed a degree at Edge Hill University and released an album of music.
Her loved ones had announced her death on her website, telling her followers that Kara passed away on Monday January 2, aged 32, surrounded by her loved ones.
The Derbyshire native studied at the Lancashire university, where she completed an undergraduate degree in 2012 despite suffering from ME.
Her personal tutor and programme leader for drama, Emma Heron, told the Liverpool Echo : “Kara arrived a warrior, determined to get the most out of every opportunity the university could offer.
"Despite significant health challenges that worsened over her three years of undergraduate study Kara went on to graduate with a 2:1.”
Kara described her time at university as “the best years of my life”. While at university, she worked with the University’s Inclusion Team to improve life for disabled students.
After graduating from university, Kara perused a career in the arts, going on to record her own album in 2020. Titled It’s Still ME, the disability advocate released the nine-track album to raise funds for the ME Association, after over 100 musicians and producers offered to help.
Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater of Edge Hill University said: “Kara’s determination to succeed and help others is an inspiration to us all. Despite her health problems she accomplished so much in life and her work to improve conditions for other disabled students has left a lasting legacy at the University.
He also went on to say that the university would be paying tribute to Kara by playing her album across campus on the day of her funeral.
Part of the statement issued by Kara's family said: "Kara was a very special young woman who embraced life with love, generosity and endless determination. To know her was to know a unique human being, whose spirit never wavered despite the most tremendous suffering.
"Kara’s greatest wish was that her life should not be wasted and her death not in vain. The album that she released in the summer of 2020, painstakingly recorded from her bed, is a legacy that will live on forever."
