Alicia – Alive and Thriving
My name is Alicia and in 2015, I received a LymeLight Foundation grant after more than 15 years battling undiagnosed Lyme disease.
When I finally got diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015, I was in dire circumstances. I had developed Lyme Encephalitis and had been bedridden for more than two years with dementia, severe neurological symptoms, and hearing and vision loss. I was wasting away. I could not care for myself and struggled to read basic sentences. I believed that even though I finally had the right diagnosis after all these years, that unfortunately, it was too late for me.
I felt even more helpless after realizing the financial obstacles I faced seeking treatment. After years of misdiagnoses and the expensive medical care, my family didn’t have the money we needed to pursue Lyme disease treatment. The day I found out I had gotten the LymeLight Foundation grant, I cried tears of joy. It was the first time in years that I had hope again.
I’m three years into treatment and while my Lyme isn’t 100% gone, I’m coming closer and closer to remission every day. I’m currently at about 90%. Because of my recovery, I was able to go back to school and finish my bachelor’s degree. Since then, I have been working towards making a difference in the field of medicine for those with Lyme disease. I am currently a Physician Assistant student and have been able to use my story to educate and teach medical students, doctors, PAs and nurses about Lyme disease. I have one year left and then I’ll be practicing medicine myself.
I truly thank the LymeLight Foundation from the bottom of my heart. I don’t believe there will ever be words that can express the utmost gratitude that I have for the LymeLight foundation or what this grant has meant to me. Because of you, I am not only alive but thriving.