'I couldn't lift a bottle of milk' - Wolverhampton councillor tells of his continued struggle with Covid-19

Former Wolverhampton Mayor and still councillor for Heath Town Milkinderpal Jaspal is suffering from long Covid, a disease which research and trials have still failed to combat.

The 65 year-old struggles to climb more than 12 stairs and he says his 'body has been turned upside down.'

Formerly fit and healthy and having never been in hospital, Councillor Jaspal was told he was expected to die when he fell ill in January 2021.Then aged 62, he was left fighting for his life in New Cross Hospital  on a ventilator for six weeks.

He survived, but the experience has changed his life beyond recognition.

He was released in March of that year but had lost all his body strength which he still hasn't recovered and had to learn to walk, eat and drink againHe was diagnosed with long Covid and speaking on the telephone from his home, it is clear the effect it had and continues to have on him.

He said: "It has turned my body upside down and needless to say I am not the person I was before.

"It has affected so many areas but the obvious or headline one that  most people think of is the breathing which is not good.

"I still get out of breath very quickly and easily, and struggle to get up the stairs or walk any substantial distance.

"It has affected my eyesight which has become poorer and I used to like to read but can't do that now as my memory and retention of words is poor.

"I have bladder and stomach problems and any inclement weather impacts badly on my whole body. I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I have and still am."

"Lockdown was tough for everyone but I had to be isolated as I was still suffering from the effects of Covid and it was harder to get medical treatment but again the NHS staff were marvellous.

"The follow ups and appointments are continuous and we are so lucky to have an NHS System which looks after people as I might not be here otherwise."

Councillor Jaspal took part in a three month clinical trial for Covid 19 survivors to try and find the cause of the disease but findings are still inconclusive.

He said: "Things have improved, at one stage of my illness I couldn't lift a bottle of milk.

" But at my age I don't think they are going to get much better-I am a shell of the person I was before and that's unlikely to change."

As we approach the third anniversary of the country being locked down on March 22, Councillor Jaspal reflected on what could have been done better.

He said: "We didn't act as fast as we should have at the start of the pandemic, especially with the lockdown and closing the borders.

"It meant we were behind things when we should have reacted sooner and if we hadn't dillied or dallied we would have been in a much better position."

"From my point of view I am happy to be breathing and to be showing some sort of gradual improvement but I would never pretend life is going to be the same again.""