Focus – Opinions and Features

The federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group recently submitted its third and final Report to Congress, marking the end of its six-year existence. In a minority response included in the 2022 report, Dr. Elizabeth Maloney—a staunch advocate for the Lyme community—takes issue with... Read More »

By Kris Newby, Invisible International In the first study of its kind, two Lyme disease experts gathered data on a question frequently asked by tick-borne disease patients: Why is it so hard to find a Lyme-treating physician? And how could there be such a doctor shortage, when... Read More »

By Milena Pastore To say there is bad karma surrounding Lyme disease is quite an understatement. Controversy has plagued the illness ever since its discovery over 40 years ago, and patients have borne the brunt of it. Unbeknownst to me, my Lyme journey began in the 80s. As a... Read More »

by Betsy Thomason Since my early twenties, when I fell in love with solo white water canoeing and climbing mountains in winter, I have been committed to taking good care of my body. Now that I’m in my late 70s, I thought I’d be reaping the benefits. I expected to ski to my grave.... Read More »

By Ben Ahrens At 25, I was the picture of good health, strong and fit, a semi-professional surfer, and working as a corrective exercise specialist in New York City. Then came Lyme disease—and EVERYTHING changed. Ten years ago, I’d been bed-bound for over three years with chronic... Read More »

Wendy Phillips is the Founder of the Lyme Treatment Foundation, which gives grants to Lyme patients in several countries to help pay for testing and treatment. Recently, on the organization’s fourth anniversary, she posted the following message to Facebook. I was diagnosed... Read More »

By Pat Smith, Lyme Disease Association I recently took time out of my schedule to watch a movie, one I’d heard about but not seen, one that deals with an issue I have advocated and educated for over 39 years. After four decades, people ask me why I continue to volunteer for the... Read More »

By Debbie Kimberg Sammy, my 18 year old, autistic son, showed an 80% improvement in autism symptoms after being diagnosed with and treated for Bartonella, Babesia, and Lyme–all included under Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome or PANS. You can find more details in my... Read More »

By Mary Collins, Insect Shield Avoiding tick bites is the number one thing you can do to protect yourself from the many diseases ticks carry. Using permethrin and permethrin-treated clothing is the easiest and most effective way to avoid ticks. Permethrin-treated clothing has... Read More »