Seven years ago, Vancouver resident Katy McLean was juggling a full-time job as an urban planner, a busy social calendar, and an active outdoor lifestyle.
Nowadays, even basic chores are a challenge.
“It’s my dream just to be able to go for a walk,” she said.
“I can walk around the block. But if I want to go farther, like to a big grocery store, I need to use a mobility scooter.”
She has a total of 13 diagnoses, including myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), fibromyalgia and mast cell activation syndrome.
“To find a doctor or health-care provider that is knowledgeable and can help you navigate these diseases is so difficult,” she said.
In recent years, McLean has seen some improvement with the help of a clinic specializing in chronic, post-viral illness — the B.C. Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia (BC-CLMF).
