Last Updated on January 3, 2021 by Lori Geurin

Recently, I’ve seen several stories in the news about famous people with Lyme disease. As more people come forward sharing their experience with this debilitating disease it brings much-needed awareness and can give hope to others.

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Celebrities With Lyme Disease

I’m not typically into celebrity gossip, but I’m curious about reading these particular accounts. I like to keep up with current events and medical developments about Lyme. As it continues to affect more people I believe we’ll hear more about it. And this may be part of what it takes to get better diagnostics and testing for patients.

Yolanda Foster And Lyme

I recently ran across an article about model, Gigi Hadid who was honoring her mother, Yolanda Foster. Yolanda and her 2 other children recently announced they have chronic Lyme disease.

Mr. Dan K’s comments make my stomach turn. One might say that the comments reflect poorly on him, but don’t affect the Lyme crisis. And there’s truth to that, to be sure.

But it also points to the stark difference in perspective between the Lyme patient who is struggling to survive and the vocal, yet uneducated person who seeks to bring others down when they are physically weak and hurting.

Callous comments like these perpetuate misunderstanding and lack of empathy for people who are fighting for their very lives.

We need:

• support
• hope that they can get better
• proper diagnosis
• timely and adequate treatments
• appropriate insurance coverage of medical costs

For me, ignorant comments such as these strengthen my resolve to bring a voice to those impacted by tick-borne illnesses. But it’s also a good reminder that we need to check our sources before believing everything we read on the internet.

When I returned to read the article a second time I noticed his unkind remarks were removed. 

Living Out Lyme Disease On Reality TV

She recently left the show to focus on her health and “restoring privacy” to her family. I appreciate all that Yolanda and others have done to advocate and bring greater awareness to the seriousness of Lyme.

Other Famous People With Lyme

In recent years, more celebrities (and famous people) have come forward about having Lyme:

• Avril Lavigne
• Justin Bieber
• Former US President, George W. Bush
• Daryl Hall, of Hall and Oates
• Alec Baldwin
• Ashley Olsen
• Richard Gere
• Ben Stiller
• Shania Twain
• writer, Amy Tan
• Debbie Gibson
• Jamie Lynn Sigler

Some are still battling ongoing symptoms, while others who were promptly treated have, thankfully, recovered.

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Avril Lavigne

In a recent interview with People magazine, Avril Lavigne said,

I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk, and I couldn’t move. I thought I was dying.

If you have Lyme you might relate to this. When I was bedridden, in the depths of my illness I remember experiencing these same things and telling my husband I thought I was dying.

In the following video Avril Lavigne shares more about her experience:

video courtesy abcNews.com

Summary – Celebrities With Lyme Disease

Celebrities have a platform to reach lots of people. Some prefer privacy with their health struggles, and that’s understandable, especially when many of their private lives are photographed for the world to see.

But in the media-obsessed world we live in, celebrities have a unique opportunity to influence, encourage and educate others about Lyme. And this brings greater awareness, something which is long overdue and desperately needed.

Can you think of other famous people who have Lyme? Do you or someone you love have a tick-borne illness?

Please share your thoughts below in the comment section.

If you would like to read more about Lyme disease you’ll want to check out:

• Living With Lyme Disease, Part 2
• 21 Strategies To Fight Lyme Disease Naturally
• Is Chronic Lyme Disease Real? Part 1
• The Signs And Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
• Warning: Lyme Disease Is Spreading Faster Than AIDS
• Lyme Disease Awareness

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