Many of you know that Lyme is dear to my heart as our family has been directly affected by this debilitating disease. I am an advocate in finding ways to help others afflicted
5 years ago I was so sick that I couldn’t get to the end of the driveway without the use of a wheelchair, I slept 18-20 hrs a day, the pain I experienced was so bad that no one could touch me, I could recognize faces yet could not remember names, I could not remember how to get to destinations I had driven to for 6 years so I gave up driving (aren’t you all in WI glad I did?), I could not speak in complete sentences, my bloodwork mimicked Lupus and MS, and to say the least I was a complete mess.
Lyme disease is the top vector borne illness currently and it can no longer be ignored. I am working, or I should say volunteering, as President of the Wisconsin Lyme Network, where we are giving a voice to those who are too sick to do so. We are educating and bringing awareness through speaking engagements, farmers market stands, attendance at medical conferences, social media, walks and more. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit that operates on donations. I am asking all of you to consider your 2018 charitable donation to be directed in this way.
Not aware of Lyme disease? Here are a few highlights:
Children, especially 6-10 year old boys are most commonly affected; they are the ones rolling around in the grass, in the woods and climbing trees. Lyme is not however, discriminating and affects ALL ages
Facial Nerve Palsy is one of the most common manifestations of Bb; the bacteria we call Lyme
Vertigo is a significant symptom
There are an estimated >400,000 new cases in the U.S. EACH year; Breast Cancer has an estimated 242,476 (as of 2015 CDC website)
Lyme is transferred NOT JUST BY deer ticks; any insect has the potential to carry the bacteria we know of as Lyme; Mosquitos, fleas, lice, spiders, any tick, etc. They have tested them folks, this is not a joke. Personally, I know of three cases in one year alone just from mosquitos in one state. They spoke of this at the ILADS medical conference….
In WI, surveillance of Bb has been going on since 1980. This is not a new disease.
EVERY state has reported cases with the exception of Hawaii. Those cases in Hawaii are believed to have been contracted outside of the state.
This is just a short list of symptoms and documentation. The symptoms are great, the bacteria’s are very real, this is not going away and we need to be educated.
Won’t you help us? Thank you in advance dear friends.
