Everyone With Lyme Disease Has A Story

Last Updated on May 4, 2021 by Lori Geurin

Everyone has a story to share. We each have unique life experiences. Being vulnerable isn’t always easy. But sharing your story is important because it could help someone else who’s struggling. Everyone’s story matters. You might not think your story is important but it is. You never know who’s listening and how something you say might help someone else.

During the long months when I was too weak and debilitated with untreated chronic Lyme disease to even get out of bed it was a very scary and lonely time in my life. My family and I searched, hoped, and prayed desperately for answers that came a very long 18 months later. It was then that I tested positive for Lyme and Tularemia, another tick-borne disease.

During that time I started hearing about other people who were living with Lyme disease. Learning about their stories gave me hope and let me know for the first time that I was not alone in this fight. Simply knowing that others were going through the same thing meant so much to me. Later I decided I wanted to share my story too.

Everyone With Lyme Disease Has A Story

Recently I had the opportunity to share my story with a reporter for KY3 and KSPR News in Springfield, MO. Reporter Linda Simmons drove to our home and interviewed me. You can watch the interview here.

Since the interview aired I’ve received an outpouring of emails, messages, texts, IMs, and phone calls from people in southwest Missouri near where I live (and out of state too) who have had their own experiences with untreated Lyme.

Lyme has been reported in all 50 states and it’s certainly here in Missouri. I don’t share names to protect privacy but some of the people who’ve contacted me in the past couple of weeks and a little about their stories include:

• the sweet wife of an elderly farmer who has multiple tick-borne diseases which have been treated but he continues to suffer from chronic pain and insomnia
• a middle-aged mom and teacher with chronic Lyme who needs treatment but her insurance won’t cover it
• a young lady who can barely get out of bed due to severe chronic pain and chronic fatigue due to untreated Lyme
• the family of a young dad who works full-time and is suffering from neuro Lyme symptoms causing pain, tingling and numbness in his extremities
• a young mom with chronic Lyme who is dealing with brain fog
• a man with a science career background with chronic Lyme whose symptoms are flaring up

Making Personal Connections Through Telling Your Story

Many of the people who I talked to have told me that they didn’t know anyone else with Lyme disease or tick-borne illness before me and they were glad to finally know someone who could relate to what they’re going through.

It’s not that my situation is more serious than anyone else’s. And it’s certainly not that I’m any better at sharing my story than anyone else. Nothing could be further than the truth.

Related: The Signs, Symptoms And Stages Of Lyme Disease

But we weren’t meant to do this life alone. So thanks to all of you, dear readers, for making yourself vulnerable and sharing your experiences with me and others too.

Everyone with Lyme disease has a story. You never know whose life may be changed for good by sharing yours!

And not only that, but sharing your story can benefit you too. X, Lori

Want to learn more? I created a Lyme resource to help answer your questions. The guide provides you with:

• more details about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases
• valuable information on diagnosis and testing
• where to find financial help for Lyme patients
• prevention tips
• instructions for how to properly remove a tick
• and more…

all based on research. Simply click below to check it out.

What have you noticed from sharing your story with other people? How has someone else’s story impacted your life?