A Foxtail Lymegraine 179/365
Yesterday's Lymegraine felt like a thousand foxtails stuck in my brain, in my cheekbones, ears and jaw, then lit on fire. But I still find joy in making photos like this.
If you'd like to help people with Lyme disease, and can't donate to ILADS or another Lyme and Tick disease non profit research group, please consider signing the petition urging your state's senator to pass the bill S.1503, the Lyme Disease & Tick-Borne Disease Bill.
Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the US and Western Europe. In 2013, the CDC revised their estimates, indicating more than 300,000 new cases were contracted each year in the US. That’s an increase up to 10 times previously believed. It’s also 10 times higher than the peak of HIV/AIDS in the 1990s.
Yet public funding is far below that of HIV/AIDS or less common illnesses. Compared to the $3 Billion per year for HIV/AIDS, Lyme research only receives $25 million. Other lesser common diseases receive between $100-$200 Million annually.
Don’t believe me? Get it right from the horse’s mouth on the NIH funding page.
The fact that this disease is severely dibilitating and pathetically underfunded are the reasons why we need this bill passed more than ever. It will help to get more research for diagnosing and treatment of Lyme and tick borne diseases. It's super simple. Click the link bill S.1503, the Lyme Disease & Tick-Borne Disease Bill, and simply put in your information. The site will determine who your petition will be sent to. You can choose to add in your own words or just use the boiler plate. I would be so grateful if you could take the time (less than 2 minutes) to fill out the questionirre which urges our senators to pass this bill into law. Don't forget to pass it on to friends you know too!
If you'd like to read more about the bill:
- Text for Bil S.1503 on the Congress.Gov web site.
- Article from Poughkeepsie Journal: With bipartisan support, Lyme research bill moves forward
- Video from Poughkeepsie Journal: Federal bill would prioritize Lyme research
And just so I don't end on too serious of a note, here's a little diddy for you.
Love is Mr. Wild Dingo replacing my favorite paring knife that I lost during one of my Lyme brain episodes. I was reluctant to buy another thinking I can't be trusted with nice household items anymore. Now the question is: did he buy this before or after he found the nice pair scissors in the trash can?
Done & circulating this petition to friends.
While current NIH funding on lyme research is clearly far less than warranted, it appears that NIH research on the several other tick-borne infections are essentially nonexistent. As provided for in S 1503, critical research on all of these infections must be addressed.
We love Mr. Wild Dingo...
Bambam is a keeper:)