The Olympic sprinter now bedbound for 22 hours a day
Former Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin is sharing her struggle with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic illness that leaves her bedbound for most of the day. She hopes to raise awareness for the condition, which she believes was triggered by infections in 2021.
Why it matters
It highlights the long-term, debilitating impact of post-viral syndromes and the lack of public awareness regarding ME.
Figure caption, 'It feels like you're days away from death' - Beth Dobbin
Beth Dobbin is so determined to raise awareness of the illness that has decimated her life that she is speaking out, despite knowing it could trigger a brutal deterioration in her health.
Five years ago, she ran for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, at 32, she spends more than 22 hours a day in bed.
"I've done little things like attend a blood test at the doctors and been in bed for months after. So doing this interview, chatting away for 30 minutes, that could have an impact on me in 2027," she says.
"But I felt like it was really important to do that to get the message out."
She now only gets out of bed to eat and use the bathroom.
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