Keira – Continuing to Push Forward

When Keira was 10 years old, she had an overnight change in behavior and personality. She developed OCD, severe anxiety, school refusal, sensory problems, rage, and emotional instability. After visiting multiple doctors, we found one who diagnosed Keira with Autoimmune Encephalitis that came from the bacterial infections of Lyme disease, Bartonella, and Babesia.

Keira’s entire life changed by the time she was a teenager. She was no longer the happy kid she used to be, and struggled in school, with friends, and with family. Her daily life changed. She was tired constantly, unable to be in social situations, and couldn’t learn well. Eventually, we pulled her out of school and kept her on homebound instruction. As a high school sophomore, her primary goal was to graduate.

Keira’s fatigue worsened. Her mental health declined greatly, and she was diagnosed with PANS, Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. Things were deteriorating without any sign of hope.

Thanks to a LymeLight grant, we were able to try some interventions that have been a part of her treatment journey. Currently, she is under the care of a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor and a Lyme Literate Psychiatrist. As these monthly appointments are all out-of-pocket because insurance won’t pay for the treatment, the grant has been a huge part in Keira’s healing.

Keira was able to earn her high school diploma in 2024. The same day her diploma arrived, she also got her driver’s license, which both were great accomplishments.

To this day, Keira is still struggling and needs continued monthly care and medication. Her life will be forever changed by what happened to her, but we will always remember the love shown to us through this organization and the grant money we received. It helps to remind us that we have HOPE and there are still good people out there making a difference. We will continue to push forward in Keira’s healing until we see a breakthrough. We say a big THANK YOU to LymeLight for your generosity in helping us and others when we were most in need.