Devin Kadis, 22, thought she'd beaten COVID-19 last August after weeks of fatigue and brain fog. But weeks later, her body 'crashed'—she couldn’t speak clearly, move without help, or breathe normally. Her story mirrors thousands of young people worldwide grappling with long-hauler syndrome, a puzzling aftermath of COVID that’s shaking up medicine. 🧠⚡
\"I felt abandoned,\" Devin told us, describing how even mild exertion left her bedridden. Her turning point? UCHealth's specialized post-COVID clinic in Colorado, where Dr. Natasha Altman and her team treat over 30 symptoms—from heart inflammation to cognitive issues—using tailored rehab plans. 🏥💡
\"This isn't anxiety—it's real organ damage,\" Dr. Altman explained, noting that 1 in 4 COVID survivors develop new health issues post-infection. FAIR Health data shows even mild cases aren’t safe. Yet clinics are pioneering solutions: recumbent workouts, hydration routines, and time. ⏳💦
Devin's nearly recovered now, but many aren’t as lucky. Her message? \"Don’t gaslight us.\" With clinics expanding globally, her journey offers hope—and a warning—for Gen Z navigating pandemic aftershocks. 🌈🩺
