A COURAGEOUS mum has spoken about out about a crippling disease which has turned her from a bubbly fun-loving person into a bedridden patient who is 'clinging to life'.

Kelly Smith-May, who is 39 and lives in Chipping Sodbury, was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME, after she caught Covid in December 2021.

Ms May - who lives with husband Stuart and her four children Kai, 21, Tawny, 15, Zayn, eight, and Jett, aged five - says the condition has made her life 'unbearable' and taken away her outgoing personality.

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She spoke to the Gazette ahead of ME Awareness Day on Friday, May 12.

ME is a chronic, long-term illness affecting different parts of the body which affects everyone differently.

"There are no treatments or cures and I'm basically in bed all the time," said Ms May, who moved to Chipping Sodbury in June 2021 to start a new life having previously lived in Thornbury for two years.

Born in Wotton-under-Edge, she also lived in Yate when she was growing up.

"I have such severe symptoms that it is unbearable," she said.

"Stuart is my carer for my every need.

"I can't bear any form of light noise or touch and have lost my whole life at the age of 39.

"I was 37 when I became ill.

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"I'm a devoted mother to my four beautiful children who I can no longer care for in any way whatsoever.

"People used to know me for my bubbly, loud and creative personality."

Ms May struggles to walk, talk, sit or stand.

"It's like I'm already dead," she said.

"I am in a hell hole and trapped inside my body with no way out.

"I have severe brain fog, dizziness and muscles spasms. I can't watch TV or listen to music.

"Despite it all I'm still absolutely devoted to my family."

As well as being a busy mum, in her spare time over the last few years Ms May would buy old furniture and do it up at home.

"I was told time and time again that I should go into interior design and whoever visited our home would always praise us on our unique ideas and work," she said.

"Stuart worked for South Gloucestershire Council for many years doing ground maintenance while I was stay-at-home mum.

"I was just always out with the kids making loads of memories.

"I was always with them and always out doing something, like going to the parks, soft plays, adventure days out, picnics, holidays or swimming.

"I was a fun lovable, enthusiastic, bubbly and crazy lady who was louder than life.

"I was known for my great sense of humour and would often have people in fits of laughter.

"I am now suffering unbearably, I'm clinging onto life."

According to the ME Association, more than 250,000 people in the UK live with ME/CFS.

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