Frances Strawbridge led a full and active life until she was 16, she ran and kayaked competitively and was an exemplary student and accomplished musician.

But, at the start of her A levels life changed completely, when Frances contracted glandular fever and was bed bound for several months.

When her symptoms failed to fully clear up she was diagnosed with post-viral fatigue.

Around two years later she was diagnosed with ME, suffering from fatigue, muscle weakness, diarrhoea, weight loss, food intolerance, problems with concentration and a tendency to slur words and confusion when constructing sentences.

Despite this, Frances managed to complete her A levels and went on to study physics at Cardiff University, where she completed her course with a 2:1.

"I managed to obtain my qualifications through careful pacing and by devoting all my energy to studies," she said.

"I had to take a year out to recover at one point and collapsed, going into hospital a couple of times."

She was then offered a PhD in Medical Physics but had to stop when her health deteriorated, leaving her in hospital once again.

Now 25, Frances relies on support from her parents and partner for physical, financial and emotional support.

"I still have the drive and motivation but quickly learned that I physically cannot carry any of it out," she says.

"I cannot pursue any sport or evening classes with friends. I can only see friends when I am up to it but I never know how I will feel from day to day making it hard to plan ahead.

"Whereas other people my age can work all day, go to the gym, meet up with friends and then be a bit tired' the next day. Simply meeting friends would make me exhausted for longer than it should."

5:55pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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