# Olympian's Life-Decimating Illness

> Olympian Beth Dobbin shares how myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) leaves her bedridden 22+ hours daily.
- Title: Olympian's Life-Decimating Illness · EssentiallySports
- Summary: Olympian Beth Dobbin shares how myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) leaves her bedridden 22+ hours daily. Olympian Beth Dobbin, 32, has myalgic encephalomyelitis…
- Keywords: beth dobbin, myalgic encephalomyelitis, olympics, scotland, british championships, 2020 tokyo olympics, commonwealth games, 2022 commonwealth games, 2026, sports, Olympian's, Life-Decimating
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/olympics-news-track-and-field-its-life-decimating-olympian-bed-ridden-for-twenty-two-hours-a-day-with-rare-disease-diagnosis
- Author: Sayantan Roy
- Published: 2026-10-17T05:45:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: beth dobbin, myalgic encephalomyelitis, me, olympics, scotland, british championships, 2020 tokyo olympics, commonwealth games, 2022 commonwealth games, 2026, sports
## Beth Dobbin's Health Crisis
Beth Dobbin, 32, was 13 when she suffered an epileptic seizure that left her unable to walk.
## Olympic Achievements
Dobbin won the British Championships in 2018 and broke a 34-year-old record four times to become Scotland’s fastest woman.
## Retirement Due to ME
Dobbin retired in April 2026 after a three-year struggle with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
## Current Bedridden Life
Dobbin spends more than 22 hours a day in bed, leaving her unable to walk or exercise.
## Symptoms and Challenges
Conversations, bright lights, and loud noises can trigger a 'crash' in Dobbin’s condition.
## Diagnosis Timeline
Dobbin’s condition worsened after back-to-back COVID-19 and glandular fever infections during winter 2021-22.
## Impact on Life
Dobbin has lost her independence, health, ability to work, and exercise, but retains her family.
## Key takeaway

Olympian Beth Dobbin, 32, has myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) that leaves her bedridden 22+ hours daily, forcing her retirement from athletics.