Hey, I'm Vanessa. If you've received this, then you know me :)
I have always been on this website to donate to all sorts of causes. I ran, cycled, swam for some, in my pre-Lyme life.
I supported events while sitting in front of my screens having a Starbucks and bagel 'feeling' crazy busy. I never thought I would ever ask for funding, especially for anything medical. After all, I was the fund manager - irony of life... and always felt strong. I was at endurance spinning classes, running, swimming, cycling to work, working challenging jobs 10 hours a day, professionally abroad weekly,  backpacking often... very active and loving it. Next step was wingsuit flying Jan 2014.

Then life stopped overnight. Lyme happened. Lyme can hit any of us, the strongest, most positive of us all.

I started waking up everyday anxious that my body would break down: getting injured for no reason became routine, losing my mobility, in constant pain, in fear of tomorrow, of being ruined, jobless and disabled forever, of people's judgement or pity, or of not finding any solution.
I saw no future ahead of me, no pleasure in life, no peace of mind - yet I was unable to surrender to that disabled life.

I got sick a few years ago, slowly and then violently. I always believed there had to be a way out, but only reached partial improvement. I have Lyme disease and several co-infections, including Babesia (aka Malaria). My neurologic system has gone wild, not responding to brain orders.
When syptomes flare up: I don't control my legs, can't go places, see friends, or be painfree more than a few unexpected minutes. I never know when the next injury comes.
I used to sleep 18 hours a day, falling asleep standing up outdoors, ended up locked indoors day after day, going mad. At the beginning, people wish you well. Then support runs thin. Some even imply you are faking it, including professionally. I was unable to control this 'body', rely on it, or be there for people I loved, let alone travel, live... At the worse, I could not tolerate sounds, lights, or have a real conversation, my memory was MIA, had to ask people to repeat endlessly.
I missed key weddings, my sister's partnership, family events...I felt like life was on hold for years.

I searched for answers and that led me to many treatments in different locations, each one partially helping until today. I financed it all myself until funds dried up, as Lyme is not covered at all by the medical system,  Lyme "doesn't exist". Patients are on their own.

I am in Schwäbish Hall, treated by Lyme's best practitioner of Europe, after an 11 month waiting list, and 2 years of research.

The treatment is as rare as expensive: EUR 1,000 a week, for 12 weeks - stay, lab tests and medication excluded.

I am confident this is the end of my struggle. So here it is, a Lyme fundraiser.
Once (not if) I am out of this, there is no doubt I will bring in solutions to a wider audience, solutions to generational health concerns which I learnt through two years of relentless research. I already diagnosed 8 people. Solutions exist, for us all.

Many of you know I intend to launch a start-up when I am better, with this exact goal in mind : restore people's immunity, raise awareness, allow prevention to save lives and treat immediately once first symptoms kick in - eradicating Lyme before dissemination. My company, Green Essentials' launch is planned as soon as I am better (March 2017 ? )

Meanwhile - I am still a patient for now - so please know how grateful I am for any positive tought, good heart or generosity you can afford.
All of you will be heartily welcome for a couple of free drinks at Green Essentials, of course!

Thank you All for your human generosity :-)

Love, 
V