By Jessica Micallef
Roslyn Leyden is taking each day as it comes.
The Riddells Creek resident was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis – or chronic fatigue syndrome in 2004.
“I was sick a lot,” Ms Leyden said.
“I couldn’t get out of bed, I just couldn’t keep up and the doctors put it down to being psychological and they sent me to see a psychiatrist.
“In 2004 I saw a really good doctor and he said ‘I’m pretty sure you might have chronic fatigue syndrome’ and at the time I just thought that meant no one knew what was wrong as opposed to it being a condition.
“The doctor said pushing yourself is not ideal because up until then, thinking it was in my head, I just thought I had to push through and that’s why I kept getting so sick.”
Ms Leyden said doctors were unable to provide her with medication to treat the condition and she was instead told to learn to manage her energy levels.
“Once the kids are in school, I sleep for most of the day and then I try and be up again for when they are home,” she said.
“You wake up with a certain amount of spoons, so getting dressed might be one spoon you use up, getting the kids ready for school is another spoon. If you go to the pub, you’re borrowing spoons from the next week.”
Now with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Ms Leyden said NDIS is working to provide her with a motorised wheelchair.
In order for her to be able to take the wheelchair out, she needs a van under two years old and big enough to fit the wheelchair.
Ms Leyden’s dad Raymond Callister has set up a GoFundMe Page to help assist with the cost of buying a van.
“I feel really grateful that people have picked it up and have donated. I didn’t think it would go anywhere, I feel really blessed,” she said.
To donate: bit.ly/2LIqIfW
