Copy of Elisabeth's letter to media

[Guest guest]

I just realized I didn't post the letter I sent out yesterday, with appropriate

variations depending on the recipient.

Lyme disease controversy

I am writing this to you and your staff to bring desperately needed attention to

thousands of sufferers of Lyme disease - children and adults. Lyme disease is

the fastest growing vector borne disease in America and when undiagnosed and

undertreated has a devastating impact on the lives of those suffering w/ the

disease and their loved ones. Unfortunately, far too many cases DO go

undiagnosed and undertreated leaving sufferers often with terribly debilitating

neurological and arthritic problems.

Why is this so? That's what we, in the Lyme community, will hope you will try to

discover and report. It's a complex subject that involves politics in the

medical research community and insurance companies. I don't want to convince you

in this email that our side of the debate is correct but I hope you will take

the small step to find out for yourself. I would be happy to point you in the

direction of the research and news articles that describe the problem. I'm sure

you'll receive other letters that will point you to specific links.

Although I have lost a good portion of the last 15 years of my life to Lyme

disease because it went undiagnosed, I feel fortunate that at least my

particular insurance company and doctor is now able to treat me with the most

advanced protocol. This wasn't always true. It took years for me to find someone

who even thought of the diagnosis and then a great effort to find the right

treatment, all because of politics.Finally I am starting to make the slow

recovery to normalcy, now in my mid-40's. But my career, marriage, family life

and friendships have all suffered needlessly. I am relatively lucky because

there are still so many people out there waiting for the proper diagnosis and

treatment, waiting to find a doctor that will have the courage to treat a

disease, that in the current political environment, she or he could be

prosecuted for.

I hope you will chose to take the time to read the research and articles on the

controversy and reprt on this to end the barbaric treatment of Lyme sufferers.

I thank you for whatever help you can offer our community,

beth

San Francisco, California

[Guest guest]

beth,

WOW! Straight and to the point and still very moving. I'm so proud of you and

thrilled to have so many talented people fighting for our common goal.

Vicki

I just realized I didn't post the letter I sent out yesterday, with

appropriate variations depending on the recipient.