Ηello everyone,

(Warning: This is not a happy contest but a very important one for me)

I’m reaching out with this contest to request your help in spreading awareness about Long Covid in the hopes that one day enough awareness will bring the much needed research and cure for my condition.

Not many of you know but the past 10 months I’ve been suffering from Long Covid. I was a previously healthy 24 year old but after 2 infections my life has turned into a living nightmare I doubt I’ll ever wake up from but I’m still here. I’m still fighting. Hence, this contest.

While some Long Covid patients exhibit some typical health conditions, many like me appear to be suffering from unexplained causes. Every day more research is coming out attempting to find the root cause; from viral persistence to the persistence of the spike protein, damage to the vagus nerve, endothelial dysfunction, infected immune cells, and many more.

I’m exposing myself here. Talking about this whole thing and my symptoms and trying to treat my condition all alone -because many doctors seem very much oblivious to the whole thing- is a very unbecoming and humbling experience especially at this age. But I have to do it. There's no other option for me.

Some symptoms have come and went but others still persist and I fear daily for my life. Dizziness, vomiting, inflammation, panic attacks, anxiety, chest pains, myoclonic jerks, twitching, internal vibrations, heart palpitations, bulging veins, post exceptional malaise, tachycardia, and dysautonomia. .

Is the condition rare? Not really but imagine the panic it would spread if people knew that with every infection from this now “very common virus” you risked becoming disabled for life. A few statistics for the United States and Europe:

The Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey found that as of June, 11% of American adults who have ever had COVID-19 were reporting symptoms of long COVID

According to the World Health Organization 36 million people across the European Region may have developed long covid.

Requirements:



-Post an avatar portraying some symptoms of Long Covid (a Long Covid Patient) or a person advocating for Long Covid patients, care, and research.

-Every person who submits an entry will receive [b]a gift[/b].

-The top 5 most complex and accurate portrayals will receive 1 million each.

-You can submit as many avatars as you like. In fact, the more you submit the better!

-Contest ends on July the 30th and winners will be announced on Monday the 31st of July.

-The avatars will be used to create a Long Covid Poster to bring more awareness about the disease.

An easy graph you can use:



Any research, however, even a simple google search can help bring attention to Long Covid.

P.S: Research has shown that vaccination can also cause Long Vaccine Haul - a very similar condition you can also bring awareness to that if you like. If you have any questions or wish to discuss anything further please feel free to do so; help me fight this monster!

Submissions:

[b]Thank you so much Vas for enlighting us on this condition...its so sad that covid has messed so many people up..stay strong my friend love you ps..always love the way you express yourself...with your words...with your fits...and just being you....hugs//////////////////////////////// Take a look in my pink box....too the lower left.......see who i have with me now........Winks
.

Omg as a student nurse, i have never even heard of this before! Thank you so much for spreading awareness of your current condition, and I'm sorry you have to go through this

This post has motivated me to do more research on Long Covid, so hopefully, i have the time to enter your competition to help spread awareness!
Sending lots of love and prayers for you! you're so incredibly strong for posting this and sharing with us your current experiences with Long Covid!

God bless you bro Vasilis! So sorry to hear that long covid has been debilitating in so many ways in your life as a young adult. I am praying that God will heal you. Thank you for raising awareness about long covid. I am learning from your post many of the lingering symptoms. Love and hugs!

My dear friend! Thank you for sharing about Long Covid. It is very important to remember what could happen to any of us at any time. I truly hope u feel better soon. All my love to you

YFxGXDebbyAnnFFC (107995616) wrote:[b]Thank you so much Vas for enlighting us on this condition...its so sad that covid has messed so many people up..stay strong my friend love you ps..always love the way you express yourself...with your words...with your fits...and just being you....hugs//////////////////////////////// Take a look in my pink box....too the lower left.......see who i have with me now........Winks
.

It truly is my dear friend! But we, as a society, refuse to accept its horrific consequences both at an individual as well as at a societal level.

And, thank you so much for your kind words. Your support makes me so happy


Hehe that's doll looks good on you! You should keep it! I can't wait to see your avi submission

Dear Vasilis,

I know very well hows ur feelings with that Long Covid. I have a nearly similiar illness.

Its so great u do in your own way, showing People what this invisible illness is.

Kisses and Love and Hugs

Susanne

LONG COVID - THE INVISIBLE ILLNESS - LETS MAKE IT VISIBLE

Seya M (166031928) wrote:Omg as a student nurse, i have never even heard of this before! Thank you so much for spreading awareness of your current condition, and I'm sorry you have to go through this

This post has motivated me to do more research on Long Covid, so hopefully, i have the time to enter your competition to help spread awareness!
Sending lots of love and prayers for you! you're so incredibly strong for posting this and sharing with us your current experiences with Long Covid!

I know... so many kind doctors and nurses that are just not aware of it, yet they could be of so much help for all of us in this fight. Unfortunately most of us are so sick that we can't do much activism and advocate for our right and care. We simply struggle but the numbers are rising... So, whenever I can, I try to do my best to bring awareness to it.

Thank you so much for your kind words! You're wonderful! And, the fact that you're willing to research and inform yourself about it means so so much to me. I can't wait to see your look!

https://imgur.com/yr3CG4c
i want to take care of Vas...such an awesome man....love you to the moon and back....hugs..

https://imgur.com/yr3CG4c
i want to take care of Vas...such an awesome man....love you to the moon and back....hugs..

https://imgur.com/qsAzHUD

i want to take care of Vas....what an awesome man...love you to the moon and back hugssssssssss

Melody LYL44 (143111602) wrote:God bless you bro Vasilis! So sorry to hear that long covid has been debilitating in so many ways in your life as a young adult. I am praying that God will heal you. Thank you for raising awareness about long covid. I am learning from your post many of the lingering symptoms. Love and hugs!

Thank you so much sis Melody Please keep me in your prayers. It means the world to me It means that in spirit you're fighting this fight with me!

I'm so glad this post is already spreading awareness. One person at a time. We'll slowly get there. Please continue to spread the word.

My participation to your Long Covid Awareness event. Im so sorry you're going though this Vas May the Force be with You ! Sending love and hugs

I didn't have red zombie makeup for the bulging veins. The effect is supposed to show dizziness! (I get vertigo, I can sympathize!)





The mug is warm milk or chamomile!

having heart problems and dizziness

Ace RtIIGanstzII (176854592) wrote:My dear friend! Thank you for sharing about Long Covid. It is very important to remember what could happen to any of us at any time. I truly hope u feel better soon. All my love to you

Thank you Acey mou! Exactly! It can literally happen to anyone. For example, per my blood type my cells we supposed to be more resistant to covid, or perhaps based on my age or sex I had less chances of getting Long Covid and yet here we are...

I hope this is a lesson for everyone who thinks they're "different", "stronger", "younger", "healthier" etc.

Can't wait to see your avatar submissions!

YFxSusanneCatMama (139461285) wrote:Dear Vasilis,

I know very well hows ur feelings with that Long Covid. I have a nearly similiar illness.

Its so great u do in your own way, showing People what this invisible illness is.

Kisses and Love and Hugs

Susanne

LONG COVID - THE INVISIBLE ILLNESS - LETS MAKE IT VISIBLE

Thank you my dear friend! This avatar is incredible and so creative! The effort put into this means a lot! Bless you

YFxGXDebbyAnnFFC (107995616) wrote:https://imgur.com/yr3CG4c
i want to take care of Vas...such an awesome man....love you to the moon and back....hugs..

Aw my sweet Debby Deb

It's verging on the naughty side but even patients need a little happiness in their lives hehe

I love you too Thank you for doing this for me!