Summer D. – Diagnosed at 42

At the tender age of 28, I found myself weighed down by an unshakeable weariness. It was as if the very essence of life had been drained from my being. The fatigue was relentless, relentless in its hold on me. And to make matters worse, an agonising pain consumed my joints, a pain unlike any I had ever known.

For someone who prided themselves on their dedication to physical fitness, this was a cruel blow. I was a devotee of gruelling workouts, with a personal trainer to boot. But even with my commitment to health, my job managing restaurants demanded more than I could give. The hours were long and unforgiving, stretching from dawn till dusk. At times, I found myself on my feet for 16-18 hours a day, an impossible feat for anyone.

In my search for answers and relief, I turned to my doctor, hoping for a solution. But my concerns were brushed aside, my pain dismissed with a mere prescription for ADHD medication. The fog in my mind lifted somewhat, but the excruciating ache in my joints only intensified. As I sought out new opportunities, my hopes were dashed yet again by same endless cycle of overwork and disappointment.

My faith in the healthcare system was all but shattered until a glimmer of hope appeared. A doctor who was willing to listen, to run the necessary tests, to believe me when no one else would. And at long last, after over a decade of agony, I was given the answers I so desperately sought.

The journey was long and fraught with despair, but I refused to be defined by my illness. Instead, I stood as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the unwavering power of advocating for oneself. Today, I stand tall, grateful for the unwavering support of those who never lost faith in me.