'Chronic illness put me in a wheelchair - now I'm running a marathon'

Kelsey Sheridan, 28, and her assistance dog will be running the adidas Manchester Marathon 2025

A woman who had to learn to walk again after being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome is running her first marathon event this weekend. Kelsey Sheridan, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, is one of 36,000 participants who will be lining up for the adidas Manchester Marathon 2025 on Sunday (April 27).

The 28-year-old software engineer will be joined by her assistance dog, Hamble, for around 10km of the race. Kelsey, who's aiming to complete the marathon in under five hours, chose to run the adidas Manchester Marathon to mark a significant milestone in her recovery journey.

"I first became unwell in the summer of 2016, during my first year of university. By the time I returned to my second-year studies after the holidays, I was in a wheelchair, as I’d been diagnosed with CFS/ME," she shared.

"Before diagnosis, I struggled with varying symptoms. When I was younger, I could never sleep enough or wake up for school. This continued until my 20s. I struggled with exhaustion but originally these symptoms were thought to be caused by depression."

Kelsey graduated in 2018, but she was unable to work or leave the house without her assistance dog, Hamble, reports the Mirror.

The NHS explains that the cause of myalgic encephalomyelitis, often known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is unknown, and there is currently no cure. However, treatments may help manage the condition and relieve symptoms.

There's no specific test for chronic fatigue syndrome, meaning it's diagnosed based on symptoms and by ruling out other conditions.

Symptoms may include sleep problems, feeling extremely tired all the time, problems with thinking, concentration and memory, and symptoms getting worse after physical or mental activity.

Kelsey added: "When Hamble and I were first partnered by charity Canine Partners in 2019, I was a full-time wheelchair user who was mainly housebound. I was constantly overdoing it just to survive and was unable to recover and increase my capabilities safely.

"Hamble is trained to support those with mobility issues and for me this was taking shoes, socks and clothing off. Fetching items, emptying the washing machine, passing me anything I ask for and fetching items like shoes or the TV remote.

"With Hamble’s help, I was able to slowly rebuild my strength and mobility. It was a tough period to say the least, but I’m so grateful to say that in November 2023, I was finally able to put down my crutches and walk freely again."

In June 2024, Kelsey went for her first run since losing her mobility, and she soon set her sights on her next challenge. "I chose to run the adidas Manchester Marathon to mark a significant milestone in my recovery journey.

"Having full mobility is something I really took for granted before I lost my ability to walk, and it’s something that I make a conscious effort to celebrate – even on the bad days," she shared.

Now, Kelsey is looking forward to the big day. “I’m feeling excited and nervous all at the same time!" she said. "Hamble is a big motivator – she loves our runs and is always by my side to give me confidence that I will be okay and that I can push myself to achieve my goals."

She also has a time goal in mind. "The adidas Manchester Marathon is my local event, in the city where I lost and ultimately regained my mobility. It’s my first marathon, so I’d absolutely love to achieve a sub-five-hour finish time if possible."

While Kelsey was keen to acknowledge that chronic fatigue syndrome is not the same for everyone, she wanted to share a message of hope. She said: "My advice to anyone who’s lost their mobility due to health reasons would be to just keep going and think positively but allow yourself the bad days. We never know what the future might bring, so focus on the present and enjoy every moment!"

More information about the adidas Manchester Marathon 2025 is available here.