A SPORTSWOMAN who lives with a rare muscle-wasting condition is preparing to take her first steps into the “new normal” world of Covid-19 after shielding for over four months.

Freya Levy, who has Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), is urging the public to remember there are still vulnerable people like her who may be at risk of contracting the virus, even when shielding ends on August 1.

Freya, who has competed for Great Britain in wheelchair basketball and para-ice hockey, has been shielding at home with her partner Katie since March 15 due to her condition, which means she has severely weakened muscles and requires a wheelchair.

The 24-year-old, from Rochford, said: “I didn’t get my letter telling me I should be shielding until April. It was pretty tough to read. I had been shielding anyway and I knew I probably should have been doing it, but seeing on paper that you’re clinically vulnerable is quite daunting.

“It was definitely quite strange going from being out and about playing sports to having to stay indoors all the time. I’ve been keeping busy during lockdown with DIY, helping my partner with work, and training.

“But it has been difficult not being able to play team sports, and I do miss that. When you have a muscle-wasting condition, you can’t afford to wait too long for these things.

“Yesterday was four months exactly since shielding started and I’m so desperate to get back to training with the team and playing sport. Because it’s a disability sport our route back to normality will be a lot longer than able bodied basketball or rugby players.”

Freya is urging us all to stay sensible, worrying that if we don’t, those shielding will be the first back into lockdown.

She continued: “It definitely feels daunting going back to some sort of normality. I’m not sure how I feel about shielding being eased.

“I haven’t left my house at all yet. I may go and visit a friend, but not public spaces just yet. Come August, it will still feel naughty to be out. That’s the best way I can think of describing it.

“Others may have found this whole experience scary and uncertain, but that is tenfold for us shielders. If people aren’t sensible, we will be the first back in lockdown. We’re relying on everyone else to be safe for us to even leave our house, let alone get back to normality or socialising.”