Understand
Leatherhead man shares story of recovery after a decade bedbound with ME
Overview
Kieran Barnaville, a 23-year-old man from Leatherhead, spent a decade bedbound and unable to speak after contracting glandular fever as a teenager, which triggered myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). After gradually regaining movement and completing his education, he is now working full-time and hopes to raise awareness and offer hope to others suffering from the condition.
Key points
- Kieran Barnaville spent a decade bedbound and unable to speak with severe ME/CFS after contracting glandular fever during a rugby tour as a teenager.
- Communication during his illness was initially restricted to blinking before he transitioned to using a voice-assisted communication app.
- He managed to complete a university degree while largely housebound before slowly regaining physical movement in his fingers, arms, and legs.
- Now 23 years old and more than a decade after becoming ill, Barnaville is working full-time for his brother and enjoying independent daily activities.
- The ME Association praised Barnaville for sharing his story to raise awareness of the realities of living with severe ME.