How has Lyme Disease affected your life?
I was diagnosed with Lyme as a senior in high school. I was 17 at the time, and now I’m 23. I don’t remember what it feels like to not be sick. Lyme has impacted my life so much and been such an uphill battle. But what Lyme has taught me is that I want to help others feel less alone and I’m so passionate about helping people live well with chronic illness. Because of that, I’m currently a virtual health coach and I’m a soon to be Occupational Therapist. More than anything, I want to take my experience and my struggle with lyme and turn it into something that I can use to positively impact others.
What inspires you?
What inspires me is knowing that I’m not fighting this fight alone. There are so many of us who are living this battle day by day and continuing to be courageous and strong, and show up even when it’s hard. What inspires me is knowing that those of us who are continuing to share our stories are letting people know that this is real and scary, and we have to do something. And each time one of us shares our story, we’re spreading hope and awareness, change is going to happen. That’s what inspires me more than anything.