Early in the illness, Maria Norén was dizzy, had both migraines and fever. After a few weeks, it became difficult to breathe and finally she had problems with her heart.
"If I get a relapse today, I get a fever. It comes and goes. The heart and lungs are also strained. It's like having an iron corset around your rib arch – you can't breathe," she says.
Working thanks to rehab
After being ill for two years, she started attending covid rehabilitation in Boden. She says it's been a long road back, but today she can work one hundred percent. However, she still needs to rest several hours per day.
She thinks it is sad that the rehabilitation should close and believes that many need help. She was the only one in her group who could cope with the rehabilitation.
"It was fantastic for me. I was in the position where I could be rehabilitated while others were too sick.
Long time before rehabilitation
Maria continues:
"It takes so incredibly long before you can be rehabilitated. Those who got sick this year or last year may not even have made it there yet.
Is there any understanding of the closure?
"I think the problem is that people don't know it existed, it could be a reason why you haven't sought care.
Can't ride anymore
Maria Norén has been involved with horses all her life but cannot ride anymore due to postcovid.
"It's a big part of my life that's gone.
Hear her talk about her physical job — before and after her illness — in the clip.