Hi, my name is Jennifer, in January 2022 I contracted covid which left me with extreme side effects. On day two I called an ambulance due to my inability to breathe properly, day ten I woke up with chest pains, started vomiting and collapsed and ended up in hospital. After several tests my issue was regarded a mystery and was told I should be fine in a few days. That was eight months ago.

Since then I've been experiencing fatigue which ultimately leaves me bedbound for about 21 hours a day. Brain impairment which has affected my memory and my understanding of how to do simple tasks. I can't walk or talk properly, I get debilitating headaches from doing everything and anything, my voice is slow and slurred, my vision is blurry, my ears are ringing and I've lost most of my strength. The only thing I’m really capable of doing is lying down. This all means I haven't been able to work or properly care for myself, cook, clean etc since January and have not been offered much help or assistance. 

Every day I felt like I was going to die. My heart was pounding out of my chest from simply crawling to the bathroom and I would be left trying to catch my breath from the exhaustion of it. 

After 15 weeks I received a follow up call from the hospital and was asked to complete a questionnaire to determine if I needed rehabilitation. I asked why I wasn't contacted sooner and was told there is no government funding for people with long covid. I'm now on a waiting list, the longest being ten months to see a neurologist. Some appointments will be covered by medicare but the rest I've to pay for.

To give an understanding of where the funds will go I've written a list of things the money will get me. Paying for rehabilitation appointments, taxis to and from, any equipment or meds prescribed. Home help to do cleaning, hang out washing, take out bins and run errands so I can do things like eat and shower. A wheelchair and an individual to take me out as I've been isolated at home since January. And finally a therapist for someone to talk to.

Long covid is not recognised or seen as a disability even though it is an extremely debilitating illness. Week 14 I started receiving a $400 sickness payment from Centrelink, prior to that I'd been living off savings. My role as a Store Manager required me to run a million dollar business, stand for eight hours a day, organising and managing a team of 10. A role that is very demanding, physically, mentally and emotionally. It is going to be a long time before I can work again so any additional money will go towards retraining in perhaps something I can do part time or from home once I’m in better health. 

Your generous and kind assistance won't go unnoticed. Thanking you all in advance. Jen

You can view an interview on youtube too - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GN1jX-1XHA