Meet Avalyn Godfrey: The new author shining a light on long COVID

When you think of a children’s author, you might picture someone with decades of life experience. But Avalyn Godfrey, a teenager from Cheshire, is showing that powerful stories can come from young voices; especially those who have faced extraordinary challenges.

Living with long COVID: Avalyn’s story

Avalyn first became unwell at age 12, after a family holiday in 2021. What seemed like a mild illness at first soon turned into something far more persistent. She began experiencing chronic fatigue, dizziness, joint pain, and the kind of “brain fog” that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming. It took more than a year of medical appointments and uncertainty before she was finally diagnosed with long COVID, a journey that’s all too familiar for many young people with this condition.

The impact on her daily life has been profound. Avalyn has missed long stretches of school and had to reshape her ambitions and routines to fit around her health. But rather than let her illness define her, she’s found a creative outlet in writing and illustration.

Star Dizzy Lizzy: Turning struggle into story, becoming an author

Avalyn’s debut children’s book, Star Dizzy Lizzy, is inspired by her own experiences. The story follows Lizzy, a bird who dreams of reaching the stars but faces setbacks along the way, a clear metaphor for Avalyn’s journey with long COVID. Despite the challenges, the book is upbeat and hopeful, offering comfort to children who feel “different” or isolated by illness.

In interviews, Avalyn has spoken about her motivation to write: “I wanted to create something that could help other children feel less alone, to show them that even if you can’t do everything you want right now, you can still dream and find new ways to shine.”

Avalyn and her family foster cats and kittens for Warrington Animal Welfare, helping to get them ready for their forever homes. She also attends Stagecoach, where she takes part in weekly classes in singing, acting, and dance. Balancing her interests in writing, animals, and performing, she is always finding different ways to express herself and stay connected to the things she enjoys, despite the challenges of her ongoing health condition.

Raising awareness and advocating for change

Avalyn’s story is about more than personal resilience. Through her writing and public speaking, she’s become an advocate for the thousands of children in the UK living with long COVID. She’s highlighted the “invisible” nature of the illness; how children who don’t look outwardly unwell are often misunderstood or dismissed by schools, peers, and even some healthcare professionals.

This lack of recognition is made worse by the closure of specialist paediatric long COVID clinics across the UK, leaving many families without access to proper care. Avalyn and her family have described the exhaustion of “fighting for basic rights” and the emotional toll of feeling left in limbo as support services disappear.

You’re not alone: Support for young people with long COVID

Avalyn’s journey is echoed by many children and families who feel “left in the dark.”

But there are organisations working to offer help, information, and community:

• Long COVID Kids: Advocacy and support for children and families affected by long COVID.

• Long COVID support: Improving the futures of people with long COVID by ensuring equitable access to high quality healthcare, research, information and employment rights.

• Action for ME: Resources for people living with chronic fatigue and related conditions.

• Young Minds: Mental health support for young people navigating long-term illness.

  
  

If you or someone you know is affected by long COVID, these groups can provide practical advice and a sense of connection.

Looking Forward

Avalyn Godfrey’s story is a reminder that creativity and hope can flourish even in the toughest circumstances. Her book, Star Dizzy Lizzy, is more than a story for children; it’s a beacon for anyone feeling isolated by illness, and a call to action for better recognition and support.

As Avalyn continues to write, advocate, and share her experiences, she’s helping to bring visibility to an often overlooked group. And in doing so, she’s proving that even the youngest voices can make a big impact.

If you’d like to learn more about Avalyn’s work keep an eye on our social media or email us at stardizzybooks@gmail.com