‘Poisoned’: Mum-of-four plans to end her own life after agonising diagnosis

“She suffers continuous pain throughout her body … she has tried to hold on, but 22 months of daily suffering is enough,” says her heartbroken family. Warning: Sensitive content. 

Kelly Louise Smith-May was once a bubbly, energetic and loving mother of four. Then, in December 2021, she contracted Covid, and things were never the same.

The virus took a grip on the British mum’s body, and while most typically experience mild symptoms and recover within a few weeks, her health continued to deteriorate and showed no signs of improvement. 

Now, the agony is so extreme she is planning to end her own life. 

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Kelly was once a fun and bubbly mum-of-four - now she is bedridden and in constant pain. Source: GoFundMe

Mum-of-four is “emotionally, mentally and spiritually drained” 

“She can no longer sit, stand, or walk,” said a close friend in a GoFundMe page. “She can barely talk. She has severe insomnia and when she can get a few hours of sleep, it’s un-restorative.”

Kelly, who lives in South Gloucestershire, has only been getting worse; her diagnosis progressing to severe myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue (CFS). 

There is no definitive cause for ME, but it roughly affects an estimated 17-24 million people worldwide. Symptoms of ME include extreme exhaustion, joint and muscle pain, and cognitive problems. 

In Kelly’s case, she’s been bedridden for over a year and plunged into darkness, as she’s painfully sensitive to light and loud noises. 

Heartbreakingly, the British mum can no longer take care of her four children, Kai, Tawny, Zayn, and Jett, “whom she absolutely adores with every piece of her heart.” She’s also entirely dependent on her husband, Stuart, for pretty much everything, from eating and drinking to using the bathroom.

“Kelly is physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually drained and deteriorating every day, usually needing help to even be able to roll over in the bed,” the family friend said.

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Kelly is unable to care for her children. Source: GoFundMe

Mum-of-four “feels like she's being poisoned every minute of the day”

Kelly said she “feels like she's being poisoned every minute of the day” and described the illness as a “living death sentence.” 

“There is no cure and all possible treatments have failed her,” the GoFundMe continued. 

“Kelly has seen doctors, been to facilities, and exhausted every recommended means of improving her condition with no results.”

Her symptoms have become so severe she is planning to travel to the Swiss Pegasos Clinic, a voluntary dying organisation in Switzerland, which enables people to have a “peaceful, dignified and caring assisted death.” 

Medically assisted dying is not legal in the UK and can be prosecuted as murder or manslaughter, leaving Kelly no choice but to look abroad. 

“She didn't come to this decision easily,” her heartbroken family said, who have given their blessing for the devastating decision. 

“She suffers continuous pain throughout her body that doctors are unable to relieve, leaving her with no choice but to end her own suffering,” it continued. “She has tried to hold on, but 22 months of daily suffering is enough.”

“Your kindness and generosity will give Kelly the gift of freedom from pain with respect for her family, who support her choice and want to honour the woman she is.”

According to the GoFundMe page, the family plans to “carry her by camper van” to France and Switzerland, taking the time to connect as a family before she says her final goodbye. 

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She has made the devastating decision to end her life. Source: GoFundMe

No known cure for Long Covid

Not much is known about Long Covid and its long-term impact on the body; there is no test to confirm a diagnosis.  

However, a 2022 report found that roughly five to 10 per cent of Covid cases turned into Long Covid.  

Its most common symptoms include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, confusion and memory difficulties. 

Those suffering from Long Covid for more than 12 months may increase the risk of lung problems such as lung fibrosis and blood clots, kidney damage and heart attacks. 

Similarly, ME/CFS has no known cure or single test for an official diagnosis, but there are treatments available, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and some medications. 

Sadly, there is no single treatment for Long Covid, and in Kelly’s case, she’s had no luck with the suggested treatments.

Originally published as ‘Poisoned’: Mum-of-four plans to end her own life after agonising diagnosis