Spotlight on Swirl of Hope: An Interview with Pam Flynn

Pam Flynn is the founder of Swirl of Hope, an organization dedicated to supporting people with post-COVID-19 taste and smell disorders, and raising awareness about these often-overlooked conditions. WTSA Co-founder Stephanie Feuer recently spoke to Pam about Swirl of Hope.

Why did you start Swirl of Hope? What is the mission?

The idea came in August 2021 in when I had COVID and then immediately lost taste and smell.  Our goal is to bring awareness, comfort and understanding to those sadly affected by COVID-19 taste and smell disorders. My heart aches for the mother that can't smell her baby, the chef who is unable to taste his culinary creations, the child who doesn't find delight in an ice cream cone. People around the world are suffering, yet there is very little media coverage as they discuss other symptoms of Long COVID-19.

So many in the medical field have no knowledge of this condition, nor how to treat it.  I have read countless stories of doctors that have said, “I've never heard of that.” Or, “You will most likely never regain your taste and smell abilities.” I do think one day someone will discover a way for most of those suffering to be healed. Sadly, I also believe that some, maybe me, will never taste or smell properly again. It’s heartbreaking.

You’re addressing an invisible condition, so creating a symbol was part of your impetus for founding Swirl of Hope. How did the logo come about?

I kept trying to think of a way to express to my friends and family when they've talked about food and all that, that I didn't have those capabilities. So I thought if I could just find a symbol that I could just point to on a necklace or on an earring or on a t-shirt that would indicate that I have that condition, or for somebody with Post-COVID taste and smell conditions. It might be a great tool to communicate without saying a word.

While pondering what logo would represent my feelings associated with my COVID-19 taste and smell disorders, my mind always returned to “The Swirl,” which my daughter Amanda painted over 20 years ago in Charleston. I can't imagine what other logo could so truly represent the feelings so many are experiencing. Light colors of hope, dark colors of frustration, a swirl of change. The painting is now in Eagle River, Alaska, where Amanda and her family live. I love seeing it when I visit.

Tell me a little bit about your background. You're not somebody who'd previously been an activist, right?

Oh, no, I've had a wonderful life. I taught kindergarten for 30 years - enjoyed every single day of it. Then, I worked with mentally ill adults through a local company to get them out in community and help with social skills, and I subbed in kindergarten and first grade in local schools.

So you're very much a people person. The compassion and empathy that you have for people suffering from smell and taste loss, particularly due to COVID really comes through in what you're doing. What will people find when they go to your website? What do you want them to take away from it?

I want them to learn that they are not alone, that there are others suffering just as they are. If you can't smell and taste, that's two of your main senses. The anxiety and depression that comes with this is tremendous. You just don't feel normal. You don't have a normal life. I want people to read the testimonials and understand how this is affecting so many people. I want them to have hope and join the Facebook support groups we list.

What else do you have in store for Swirl a Hope?

I just plan on continuing to add testimonials and updated articles and videos and reach people. I'd love to make the swirl symbol one that many people will recognize when they see it. There are products on the website: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, t-shirts, all that show this logo and spread the message. Let's bring awareness to this country that this is happening.

There's a place on the website to share your story, and I will answer. Every time somebody comes to me with a story, I have tears of gratitude. Tears of hope. Tears of anticipation that my message will bring comfort to those whose lives have been devastated by Long COVID-19.

You can find Swirl of Hope here.