Sammie McFarland
@sammiemc.bsky.social
Long Covid Kids Founder & CEO
Hoping to be on the right side of history.
♿️#LongCovid ✳️#CleanAir 🙋🏻♀️Campaigner
🧠🧡🫀#LongCovidKids
🌊#ColdWater 🧜🏻♀️#Swimming
🧘🏻#Pilates coach - #Pacing since 2020 🦠 😷
🫅🏼#CoronationChampion 💥#Volunteer
Hoping to be on the right side of history.
♿️#LongCovid ✳️#CleanAir 🙋🏻♀️Campaigner
🧠🧡🫀#LongCovidKids
🌊#ColdWater 🧜🏻♀️#Swimming
🧘🏻#Pilates coach - #Pacing since 2020 🦠 😷
🫅🏼#CoronationChampion 💥#Volunteer
I can't express the feeling of seeing it in black & white today- #LongCovid got the validation we all deserve in the Mod 2 report.
By sharing our lived experience we assured this recognition - expertly guided by our dedicated legal team led by Jane Ryan @bhattmurphy.bsky.social
My statement
By sharing our lived experience we assured this recognition - expertly guided by our dedicated legal team led by Jane Ryan @bhattmurphy.bsky.social
My statement
November 20, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I can't express the feeling of seeing it in black & white today- #LongCovid got the validation we all deserve in the Mod 2 report.
By sharing our lived experience we assured this recognition - expertly guided by our dedicated legal team led by Jane Ryan @bhattmurphy.bsky.social
My statement
By sharing our lived experience we assured this recognition - expertly guided by our dedicated legal team led by Jane Ryan @bhattmurphy.bsky.social
My statement
Thanks to @aldiukstores.bsky.social for a pre festive #GlutenFree #Christmas snacking experience. A rare treat.
Soooo good. 😋
#snacks #popcorn #cinnamonbun
Soooo good. 😋
#snacks #popcorn #cinnamonbun
November 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Thanks to @aldiukstores.bsky.social for a pre festive #GlutenFree #Christmas snacking experience. A rare treat.
Soooo good. 😋
#snacks #popcorn #cinnamonbun
Soooo good. 😋
#snacks #popcorn #cinnamonbun
'By comparing blood, immune-cell profiles, and gene activity in people with and without long COVID, researchers uncovered biological differences that map onto those harsher, longer lasting symptoms.'
www.earth.com/news/why-lon...
#WomensHealth #LongCovid
www.earth.com/news/why-lon...
#WomensHealth #LongCovid
November 12, 2025 at 8:18 AM
'By comparing blood, immune-cell profiles, and gene activity in people with and without long COVID, researchers uncovered biological differences that map onto those harsher, longer lasting symptoms.'
www.earth.com/news/why-lon...
#WomensHealth #LongCovid
www.earth.com/news/why-lon...
#WomensHealth #LongCovid
“Like many of us, she recovered from this bout of illness and wasn’t overly concerned when she experienced the illness for the second time a few months later.” @independent.ie
Thank you for your advocacy Lydia.
#LongCovid #Ireland
m.independent.ie/life/health-...
Thank you for your advocacy Lydia.
#LongCovid #Ireland
m.independent.ie/life/health-...
November 11, 2025 at 7:32 AM
“Like many of us, she recovered from this bout of illness and wasn’t overly concerned when she experienced the illness for the second time a few months later.” @independent.ie
Thank you for your advocacy Lydia.
#LongCovid #Ireland
m.independent.ie/life/health-...
Thank you for your advocacy Lydia.
#LongCovid #Ireland
m.independent.ie/life/health-...
It is a privilege to represent the paediatric community, amplify young voices & share insights from families with lived experience.
Looking back at @ LCK's early work I will always be grateful to our #volunteers - inc @drsuepeters.bsky.social
👉#Blog
bit.ly/3LwLXCp
@icancmeresearch.bsky.social
Looking back at @ LCK's early work I will always be grateful to our #volunteers - inc @drsuepeters.bsky.social
👉#Blog
bit.ly/3LwLXCp
@icancmeresearch.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 6:29 PM
It is a privilege to represent the paediatric community, amplify young voices & share insights from families with lived experience.
Looking back at @ LCK's early work I will always be grateful to our #volunteers - inc @drsuepeters.bsky.social
👉#Blog
bit.ly/3LwLXCp
@icancmeresearch.bsky.social
Looking back at @ LCK's early work I will always be grateful to our #volunteers - inc @drsuepeters.bsky.social
👉#Blog
bit.ly/3LwLXCp
@icancmeresearch.bsky.social
With my women’s health coach hat on I think the sentence on exercise needs removing from the do’s.
Patients need to stop before symptoms.
This advice doesn’t help patients learn to manage their condition/pacing/ PEM & is 🫤 with the ❌DONT.
Were lived experience partners consulted? If not why not?
Patients need to stop before symptoms.
This advice doesn’t help patients learn to manage their condition/pacing/ PEM & is 🫤 with the ❌DONT.
Were lived experience partners consulted? If not why not?
October 31, 2025 at 12:33 PM
With my women’s health coach hat on I think the sentence on exercise needs removing from the do’s.
Patients need to stop before symptoms.
This advice doesn’t help patients learn to manage their condition/pacing/ PEM & is 🫤 with the ❌DONT.
Were lived experience partners consulted? If not why not?
Patients need to stop before symptoms.
This advice doesn’t help patients learn to manage their condition/pacing/ PEM & is 🫤 with the ❌DONT.
Were lived experience partners consulted? If not why not?
I also worry GPs don’t have the training they need to provide the right supoort to patients.
Specialist services are disappearing- where will the GP refer?
So yes 🗣️ to GP -ask for tests/screening but this isn’t clear & info given is 🫤
Patients need appropriate exercise which is rarely walking🚶♀️IMHO
Specialist services are disappearing- where will the GP refer?
So yes 🗣️ to GP -ask for tests/screening but this isn’t clear & info given is 🫤
Patients need appropriate exercise which is rarely walking🚶♀️IMHO
October 31, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I also worry GPs don’t have the training they need to provide the right supoort to patients.
Specialist services are disappearing- where will the GP refer?
So yes 🗣️ to GP -ask for tests/screening but this isn’t clear & info given is 🫤
Patients need appropriate exercise which is rarely walking🚶♀️IMHO
Specialist services are disappearing- where will the GP refer?
So yes 🗣️ to GP -ask for tests/screening but this isn’t clear & info given is 🫤
Patients need appropriate exercise which is rarely walking🚶♀️IMHO
Progress to see that early lived experience advice has now been adopted by the #NHS
It needs to go further to reduce risks to patients- avoid exercising for 12 weeks after any COVID infection.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/l...
It needs to go further to reduce risks to patients- avoid exercising for 12 weeks after any COVID infection.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/l...
October 31, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Progress to see that early lived experience advice has now been adopted by the #NHS
It needs to go further to reduce risks to patients- avoid exercising for 12 weeks after any COVID infection.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/l...
It needs to go further to reduce risks to patients- avoid exercising for 12 weeks after any COVID infection.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/l...
“The truth laid bare by these papers is that policies to address global health challenges do not accurately reflect the reality of the global burden of disease and disability today”
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
#LongCovid
#Disability
#ChildrensRights
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
#LongCovid
#Disability
#ChildrensRights
October 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
“The truth laid bare by these papers is that policies to address global health challenges do not accurately reflect the reality of the global burden of disease and disability today”
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
#LongCovid
#Disability
#ChildrensRights
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
#LongCovid
#Disability
#ChildrensRights
I’m so proud to shared this 😊
I have been so looking forward to attending and connecting with such an inspiring group of women from across the country. However, on this occasion, #LongCovid prevails, a reminder that determination and positivity can’t beat illness alone. Patients need answers
I have been so looking forward to attending and connecting with such an inspiring group of women from across the country. However, on this occasion, #LongCovid prevails, a reminder that determination and positivity can’t beat illness alone. Patients need answers
October 13, 2025 at 7:12 AM
I’m so proud to shared this 😊
I have been so looking forward to attending and connecting with such an inspiring group of women from across the country. However, on this occasion, #LongCovid prevails, a reminder that determination and positivity can’t beat illness alone. Patients need answers
I have been so looking forward to attending and connecting with such an inspiring group of women from across the country. However, on this occasion, #LongCovid prevails, a reminder that determination and positivity can’t beat illness alone. Patients need answers
Heartbreaking 💔
This is the case for some children - if we had #CleanAir in schools risks would be reduced, children would feel safer.
Note: important to rule out other causes and differentiate between school avoidance and long term medical conditions.
(Ms Hammond Kent CC 🗣️ COVID inquiry)
This is the case for some children - if we had #CleanAir in schools risks would be reduced, children would feel safer.
Note: important to rule out other causes and differentiate between school avoidance and long term medical conditions.
(Ms Hammond Kent CC 🗣️ COVID inquiry)
October 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Heartbreaking 💔
This is the case for some children - if we had #CleanAir in schools risks would be reduced, children would feel safer.
Note: important to rule out other causes and differentiate between school avoidance and long term medical conditions.
(Ms Hammond Kent CC 🗣️ COVID inquiry)
This is the case for some children - if we had #CleanAir in schools risks would be reduced, children would feel safer.
Note: important to rule out other causes and differentiate between school avoidance and long term medical conditions.
(Ms Hammond Kent CC 🗣️ COVID inquiry)
⚠️ No parent should ever be in this position, no child should be refused healthcare.
If the truth had been shared with the general public, we wouldn’t have been left without support.
Module 8. U.K. COVID Inquiry
@longcovidkids.bsky.social
#CovidInquiry #LongCovidKids #Parenting
If the truth had been shared with the general public, we wouldn’t have been left without support.
Module 8. U.K. COVID Inquiry
@longcovidkids.bsky.social
#CovidInquiry #LongCovidKids #Parenting
October 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
⚠️ No parent should ever be in this position, no child should be refused healthcare.
If the truth had been shared with the general public, we wouldn’t have been left without support.
Module 8. U.K. COVID Inquiry
@longcovidkids.bsky.social
#CovidInquiry #LongCovidKids #Parenting
If the truth had been shared with the general public, we wouldn’t have been left without support.
Module 8. U.K. COVID Inquiry
@longcovidkids.bsky.social
#CovidInquiry #LongCovidKids #Parenting
It was an honour to represent the @longcovidkids.bsky.social community at the U.K. COVID inquiry today, and meet members we have known online for a long time.
Thank you to Jay for bringing his modal along and for the beautiful flowers.
🥹🥹
#Community #LongCovidKids
#COVIDInquiry
Thank you to Jay for bringing his modal along and for the beautiful flowers.
🥹🥹
#Community #LongCovidKids
#COVIDInquiry
October 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It was an honour to represent the @longcovidkids.bsky.social community at the U.K. COVID inquiry today, and meet members we have known online for a long time.
Thank you to Jay for bringing his modal along and for the beautiful flowers.
🥹🥹
#Community #LongCovidKids
#COVIDInquiry
Thank you to Jay for bringing his modal along and for the beautiful flowers.
🥹🥹
#Community #LongCovidKids
#COVIDInquiry
Years ago advocates made comparisons beteeen Long Covid and HIV to try to raise awareness of just how complex #LongCovid feels.
Now the authors of this paper are drawing parallels. - between paediatric LC, adults with LC, and chronic infections like HIV.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Now the authors of this paper are drawing parallels. - between paediatric LC, adults with LC, and chronic infections like HIV.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
August 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Years ago advocates made comparisons beteeen Long Covid and HIV to try to raise awareness of just how complex #LongCovid feels.
Now the authors of this paper are drawing parallels. - between paediatric LC, adults with LC, and chronic infections like HIV.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Now the authors of this paper are drawing parallels. - between paediatric LC, adults with LC, and chronic infections like HIV.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
“As people congregate indoors, (Like in schools 🤔) viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus & covid-19 spread more readily, which can lead to surges in hospitalisation.”
(& long term health conditions)
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
#CleanAir #Education
(& long term health conditions)
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
#CleanAir #Education
August 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
“As people congregate indoors, (Like in schools 🤔) viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus & covid-19 spread more readily, which can lead to surges in hospitalisation.”
(& long term health conditions)
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
#CleanAir #Education
(& long term health conditions)
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
#CleanAir #Education
THIS ⬇️ since 2020
“We found that people with Long COVID are often left to fend for themselves in a system that isn’t adequately informed about their condition and doesn’t offer them appropriate medical support”
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social
“We found that people with Long COVID are often left to fend for themselves in a system that isn’t adequately informed about their condition and doesn’t offer them appropriate medical support”
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social
August 21, 2025 at 5:39 AM
THIS ⬇️ since 2020
“We found that people with Long COVID are often left to fend for themselves in a system that isn’t adequately informed about their condition and doesn’t offer them appropriate medical support”
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social
“We found that people with Long COVID are often left to fend for themselves in a system that isn’t adequately informed about their condition and doesn’t offer them appropriate medical support”
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social
School absence discussion on
@thismorningitv.bsky.social chat covering potential causes but missing the 🐘 in the room - SARS-CoV-2 infection alters health - kids have been infected.
Hoping the U.K. COVID inquiry deliver recommendations to protect CYP in the future & conversations cover impact.
@thismorningitv.bsky.social chat covering potential causes but missing the 🐘 in the room - SARS-CoV-2 infection alters health - kids have been infected.
Hoping the U.K. COVID inquiry deliver recommendations to protect CYP in the future & conversations cover impact.
August 9, 2025 at 6:47 AM
School absence discussion on
@thismorningitv.bsky.social chat covering potential causes but missing the 🐘 in the room - SARS-CoV-2 infection alters health - kids have been infected.
Hoping the U.K. COVID inquiry deliver recommendations to protect CYP in the future & conversations cover impact.
@thismorningitv.bsky.social chat covering potential causes but missing the 🐘 in the room - SARS-CoV-2 infection alters health - kids have been infected.
Hoping the U.K. COVID inquiry deliver recommendations to protect CYP in the future & conversations cover impact.
Over the last 5 weeks I've been a participant in #research for the #ERASE study - just over 1/2 way through the appointments. It's all about the accessories 🙃...
Today's carefully chosen book and mask combo!
@profmarkfaghy.bsky.social @derbyuni.bsky.social
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
#Hope
Today's carefully chosen book and mask combo!
@profmarkfaghy.bsky.social @derbyuni.bsky.social
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
#Hope
July 24, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Over the last 5 weeks I've been a participant in #research for the #ERASE study - just over 1/2 way through the appointments. It's all about the accessories 🙃...
Today's carefully chosen book and mask combo!
@profmarkfaghy.bsky.social @derbyuni.bsky.social
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
#Hope
Today's carefully chosen book and mask combo!
@profmarkfaghy.bsky.social @derbyuni.bsky.social
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
#Hope
Developing any new condition is a tough gig - developing a poorly understood and under resourced condition is monstrously challenging.
Please help @ukpots.bsky.social
obtain the signatures needed to secure debate.
#Overlappingillness #PoTS
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
Please help @ukpots.bsky.social
obtain the signatures needed to secure debate.
#Overlappingillness #PoTS
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
July 9, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Developing any new condition is a tough gig - developing a poorly understood and under resourced condition is monstrously challenging.
Please help @ukpots.bsky.social
obtain the signatures needed to secure debate.
#Overlappingillness #PoTS
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
Please help @ukpots.bsky.social
obtain the signatures needed to secure debate.
#Overlappingillness #PoTS
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
Fresh delivery 😊 as a thank you for contributing to the fab new guide book from Cath Kitchen
Is it weird to say I’m proud to see @longcovidkids.bsky.social in plain sight alongside other conditions impacting children and young people?
💪🏽 #LongCovidKids
#Resources
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
Is it weird to say I’m proud to see @longcovidkids.bsky.social in plain sight alongside other conditions impacting children and young people?
💪🏽 #LongCovidKids
#Resources
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Fresh delivery 😊 as a thank you for contributing to the fab new guide book from Cath Kitchen
Is it weird to say I’m proud to see @longcovidkids.bsky.social in plain sight alongside other conditions impacting children and young people?
💪🏽 #LongCovidKids
#Resources
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
Is it weird to say I’m proud to see @longcovidkids.bsky.social in plain sight alongside other conditions impacting children and young people?
💪🏽 #LongCovidKids
#Resources
@longcovidsupport.bsky.social
Had COVID?
Feeling gummed up?
Bubblegum in your cogs!
👏🏼 👏🏼 15 year old Lizzy helping others understand Long Covid.
www.instagram.com/reel/DLC3Dlz...
#LongCovidKids
Feeling gummed up?
Bubblegum in your cogs!
👏🏼 👏🏼 15 year old Lizzy helping others understand Long Covid.
www.instagram.com/reel/DLC3Dlz...
#LongCovidKids
June 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Had COVID?
Feeling gummed up?
Bubblegum in your cogs!
👏🏼 👏🏼 15 year old Lizzy helping others understand Long Covid.
www.instagram.com/reel/DLC3Dlz...
#LongCovidKids
Feeling gummed up?
Bubblegum in your cogs!
👏🏼 👏🏼 15 year old Lizzy helping others understand Long Covid.
www.instagram.com/reel/DLC3Dlz...
#LongCovidKids
The experiences of children could have informed approach in the early pandemic.
Mod 8 U.K. COVID Inquiry starts in Sept & will make future recommendations
“Trusting caregivers to know their child and identify clinical changes is a fundamental principle of paediatrics”
Mod 8 U.K. COVID Inquiry starts in Sept & will make future recommendations
“Trusting caregivers to know their child and identify clinical changes is a fundamental principle of paediatrics”
June 2, 2025 at 8:06 AM
The experiences of children could have informed approach in the early pandemic.
Mod 8 U.K. COVID Inquiry starts in Sept & will make future recommendations
“Trusting caregivers to know their child and identify clinical changes is a fundamental principle of paediatrics”
Mod 8 U.K. COVID Inquiry starts in Sept & will make future recommendations
“Trusting caregivers to know their child and identify clinical changes is a fundamental principle of paediatrics”
“Parental intuition is more likely to predict critical illness among children than vital signs used to monitor health”
Listening to caregivers - who know their children best - is key in child health !!
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
#ChildHealth #Family #HealthCare
Listening to caregivers - who know their children best - is key in child health !!
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
#ChildHealth #Family #HealthCare
May 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“Parental intuition is more likely to predict critical illness among children than vital signs used to monitor health”
Listening to caregivers - who know their children best - is key in child health !!
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
#ChildHealth #Family #HealthCare
Listening to caregivers - who know their children best - is key in child health !!
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
#ChildHealth #Family #HealthCare
"Families tell @theleaduk.bsky.social the symptoms can be life-changing, but a lack of awareness about the condition has resulted in gaslighting from healthcare professionals, threats of legal action from schools, & judgment and disbelief among family & friends"
national.thelead.uk/p/were-left-...
national.thelead.uk/p/were-left-...
April 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"Families tell @theleaduk.bsky.social the symptoms can be life-changing, but a lack of awareness about the condition has resulted in gaslighting from healthcare professionals, threats of legal action from schools, & judgment and disbelief among family & friends"
national.thelead.uk/p/were-left-...
national.thelead.uk/p/were-left-...
📣 It’s finally out out - initial guidance to address the spectrum of LC as a disease & reinforces the need for translational research & large-scale treatment trials for treatment protocols.
🌍 🫶🏼 🙏 to the 179 exerts who collaborated from 28 countries
ann-clinmicrob.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
🌍 🫶🏼 🙏 to the 179 exerts who collaborated from 28 countries
ann-clinmicrob.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
April 21, 2025 at 6:11 AM
📣 It’s finally out out - initial guidance to address the spectrum of LC as a disease & reinforces the need for translational research & large-scale treatment trials for treatment protocols.
🌍 🫶🏼 🙏 to the 179 exerts who collaborated from 28 countries
ann-clinmicrob.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
🌍 🫶🏼 🙏 to the 179 exerts who collaborated from 28 countries
ann-clinmicrob.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....