QUARKS DOKU: Chronic fatigue – How Jenny manages her daily life with ME/CFS

Since contracting COVID-19 almost four years ago, Jenny (35) has been suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Before her illness, she was a kickboxer, winning five world championship titles in the ring. Today, she struggles to cope with everyday life. Her illness leaves her with much less energy than she used to have – even shopping or going for a walk becomes a challenge. If Jenny overexerts herself, she has crashes. Then she has no energy for several days. With medication and oxygen therapy Jenny is trying to slowly raise her energy level again. In the long term, she wants to be healthy again, work again, live again. But for now, she just wants to go rollerblading with her best friend again. Will Jenny be able to fulfill this wish?

TEAM

Written and directed by: Insa Onken // Collaboration: Tim Renner // Camera: Beate Scherer, Tarja Kühe, Insa Onken // Sound: Simone Hartmann, Julian Kolbe, Insa Onken // Editing: Marc Schubert // Graphic design: Insa Onken // Graphics: Anastasia Wagner // Sound editing: Mathis Hohmann // Narrator: Rabea Wyrwich // Production assistants: Alican Tamkan, Karl Hax // Production manager (WDR): Christian Wulf // Line producer: Katja Sträter // Producer: Sarah Zierul // Comissioning Editor (WDR): Markus Schall // Produced by Längengrad Filmproduktion on behalf of WDR