Long Covid took my life away, but now I have it back

DAD HELPED BY SERVICE AFTER YEARS OF BATTLING WITH SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE

- PAIGE OLDFIELD

A DAD who has been battling long Covid symptoms for three years has urged other sufferers to seek help from the service that changed his life.

Ben Stubbs, 48, from Stockport, enjoyed his job as a painter and decorator before he caught the virus.

But after he developed the chronic condition long Covid, he was left 'in a really dark place.

After receiving NHS support in Greater Manchester, Ben says his life has changed. But it's been a long road to get to this point.

Within months of contracting Covid, Ben found himself unable to walk upstairs, take the bins out or cook a meal without becoming breathless.

He reached out for help and had a series of physical health checks and tests performed but nothing helped to ease the problem.

Feeling frustrated, confused and hopeless for the future, the dad-oftwo became so isolated he wouldn't leave his home for anything other than a medical appointment.

After the birth of his second child, Ben was relieved to have a new focus and distraction.