Managing chronic fatigue syndrome: Amari’s story

Amari shares her story from struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome to feeling empowered

I was something of a ‘high-flyer’ in the very fast-paced world of media sales, carving a career path in advertising through creativity and client relationships. I had reached an impressive level by my early thirties so life was a whirlwind of meetings, pitches and deadlines, which I thrived in.

Then I got the flu one winter, knocking me off my feet. I slept for the best part of a week and nearly lost a stone in weight. I expected to bounce back quickly because I’ve always been healthy. But I was still struggling after the flu subsided. All I wanted to do was sleep and my joints ached. I tried all sorts of vitamins, minerals and even a week’s holiday to see if some sunshine and time off work would help, but it didn’t. My boss took one look at me when I returned to work and told me to go and see my GP.

The GP couldn’t identify any obvious cause for my symptoms but told me to stay in touch and keep them updated on any changes. Two months later I was having sick days once a week, I had no energy and the simplest things made me tired. Even after a full night’s sleep I didn’t feel refreshed. I was miserable at work, underperforming and making poor choices as my brain felt so foggy. I could feel the enthusiasm for my work draining away with the rest of my energy.  My GP ordered blood tests and more checks. 

Chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis

I was shocked when they explained that, after eliminating all other possibilities, their diagnosis was chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). I reflected on what life needed to look like for me now and decided that I had to leave my job and set up my freelance consultancy. It was an empowering step, but it came with its own set of challenges. I knew I would need to be highly self-sufficient and resilient to manage my CFS alongside my business.

Working with Aim Forward: Needs assessment

I searched online for workplace assessments and found Aim Forward. I loved that they worked with self-employed people, as I hoped they would understand my challenges. My needs assessment confirmed this. My assessor led me through a comprehensive discussion that covered all aspects of my working life. The conversation felt so natural, but I still felt like I was in the hands of an expert, and I was able to take breaks whenever I needed them.

The assessment and my assessor’s recommendations gave me a few revelations about how I could adapt my working life around CFS. Text-to-speech software means I can still access information and continue my professional development even when reading becomes difficult to do. Speech-to-text software not only supports me in writing up client proposals and communications but also allows me to navigate other tasks like opening browsers, selecting folders or attaching documents with speech.

Aim Forward also put me in touch with an ergonomic specialist who helped me optimise my home office set-up based on comfort and longevity. These adjustments have helped mitigate the days with brain fog and pain and improved my overall well-being and productivity. My CFS became a challenge I could overcome with the right support, not an immovable barrier.

How Aim Forward helped me feel empowered

This journey hasn’t just provided me with tools – it has empowered me. Aim Forward recognised that you need to address the immediate impact of CFS, but also create a sustainable, long-term strategy. Through a series of coaching sessions, we discussed the technical solutions but also the work-life balance, pacing strategies, and self-care routines that would enable me to thrive.

The partnership with Aim Forward has been transformational. My freelance consultancy has flourished, and the sense of empowerment has sent positive ripples through every aspect of my life. Aim Forward equipped me with strategies to manage my condition at work and a belief in myself that every challenge can be an opportunity for growth. I am shining brightly, not despite my chronic fatigue, but because of it.