Time for Change

Imagine finding out you have a rare form of cancer. Now imagine finding out that if your doctor would have diagnosed it years before when you first got sick, you would be cured. Imagine knowing that now you may never get better.

Imagine finding out your insurance won't cover your cancer because they don't know how long you'll need treatment since--because your doctor didn't diagnose you in time--the cancer has spread throughout your entire body. Imagine that you now have to sell not only your beloved business, but also your house to pay for treatments. Imagine as an adult having to move back in with family since you have now found yourself homeless.

When you replace the word "cancer" with "chronic Lyme disease," suddenly people aren't listening anymore. I wish it wasn't, but the story above is a true story and it's happening to a wonderful friend of mine. I wish I could say that hers is a rare story, but the reality is that a huge percentage of people with Lyme lose their homes, their jobs and are forced to file for bankruptcy to pay for treatment--which is very rarely covered by insurance companies.

My friend confided that she not only has to sign up for food stamps, but she has to sign up her daughter for the Angel Tree because she can't pay for Christmas presents this year. What kills me is if this was a story about cancer, it would spread across the internet so fast, her little girl would have a pony in the front yard of their new house for Christmas this year. People would help.

Can you imagine, really imagine being in my friend's shoes? There will be no change until our stories are not only told, but truly heard. The medical system has failed chronic Lyme disease, but we are not giving up. It is time to join our voices and demand a change.