Guest Merel; choir master for the Long Covid kids choir Artwork

Living with Long covid

This podcast aims to raise awareness of long covid, provide a platform of support, education and the lived experience.My name is Julie, I am a registered nurse in the UK. I became unwell with Covid in May 2020 while working on the front line, during the first wave of the pandemic. Subsequently I live with long covid and POTS ( postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). I would like to share my journey and lived experience, the symptoms and how each impacts daily life. I aim to not only consider the physical issues but also the impact this has had mentally and emotionally. It is reported over 2 million people in the UK and an estimated 65 million worldwide, live with long covid. This is huge, and affects every area of a persons life, their family, friendships and work life. Join me and some great guests and let’s Learn, advocate and continue this journey together.

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Living with Long covid

Guest Merel; choir master for the Long Covid kids choir

July 30, 2023 • Season 1 • Episode 77

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My guest today is Merel who is the choir master for the Long Covid Kids Choir.
Merel talks about children with long covid and how they lack support and understanding from the wider society. Merel who lives with Long Covid herself wanted to find a way to support children with Long Covid, she contacted Long Covid Kids Charity to find out how she may be able to help and thereafter the Long Covid choir began.
Merel explains how the children find a social element to the choir with peer to peer support, creating a social circle that the children can express themselves in and feel safe and understood.
We also practice a breathing exercise (please join in with us, it is very therapeutic!).
Merel and I discuss her own journey with Long Covid and the impact this journey has on all elements of life, Merel explains how gaslighting has caused a stigma and psychologising of people living with Long Covid and that she has taken comfort in her own part of the Long Covid kids choir.
Children with Long Covid need recognising and have their voices heard, having the choir is a great platform for this, we decide during the podcast the children should aim to be Christmas number 1 and I hope the whole Long Covid community would support making this happen! This is a great episode and I hope to raise more awareness of children, their siblings and parents who are living with long covid.
If you would like to know more about the choir or to join click on the link below.
As always, one day at a time and please take care.

Links from todays episode:
https://twitter.com/@LCKChoir2022
https://www.longcovidkids.org/team/merel-van-der-knoop
https://twitter.com/@merelpianist
https://twitter.com/@LongCovidKids
https://www.instagram.com/@merelsmusicroom
Choir videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt7gtBf3Uco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtMyrSZyTSs

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: info@thelongcovidclinic.co.uk for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
X
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/julie_livingwithlongcovid
Planners:
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
Return to work planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
Well being planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc