The Van Stratens Lyme fund
Donation protected
This has taken us a long time to write since we have always been the type of people to be able to work and provide for our family.
Unfortunately, circumstances have changed and due to Chronic Lyme disease, we are asking for help.
We were enjoying summer 2016 and little did we know that our lives were about to drastically change.
Joe started to have heart palpitations, nausea, insomnia, crippling fatigue, severe pain throughout his body, weakness, difficulty walking, etc. I was just returning to teaching after my maternity leave. Three weeks later, I started having similar symptoms.
After a lot of research, Joe thought that we may have Lyme disease. We went to our family doctor and explained our situation. They ran an Elisa blood test for Lyme on both of us and both tests came back negative. The Elisa test is highly inaccurate. Time went on and our symptoms got worse. Most doctors don't believe Lyme disease exists and it is hard to find a doctor that is willing to listen and help. Thankfully, we found a naturopath that was Lyme literate. We got blood tests done through Armin labs in Germany and the results were positive. Joe and I also have three coinfections which are as deadly as the Lyme itself. Due to our illness, both my husband and I are unable to work and our finances are dwindling quickly.
After doing more research, I found out Lyme can be transmitted in utero and through breastfeeding. Watching my son even closer, I noticed he was exhibiting strange behaviours. Hitting his head a lot, becoming an extremely picky eater and not wanting to eat solid foods anymore, he didn't start walking until he was 16 months and he is still not talking. These are all symptoms of Lyme disease. We just got bloodwork done for Dextin and just found out that he is positive for Lyme disease. Dextin having Lyme breaks my heart. You never want your child to be sick and to think I may have transmitted it to him makes me feel like the worst mother in the world. I will never forgive myself.
Treatment for Chronic Lyme disease is extremely expensive and has to be paid out of pocket. Without treatment, the disease can become deadly.
We just want to have our lives back. We want to be able to do simple everyday tasks without being dehabilitated. We want to be healthy again so that we can enjoy life again.
The money will be used for treatments so that we can become healthy again.
We are asking for your help. Any contributions would be truly appreciated and we would be forever grateful.
Thanks for your support
Angie, Joe and Dextin Van Straten

Unfortunately, circumstances have changed and due to Chronic Lyme disease, we are asking for help.
We were enjoying summer 2016 and little did we know that our lives were about to drastically change.
Joe started to have heart palpitations, nausea, insomnia, crippling fatigue, severe pain throughout his body, weakness, difficulty walking, etc. I was just returning to teaching after my maternity leave. Three weeks later, I started having similar symptoms.
After a lot of research, Joe thought that we may have Lyme disease. We went to our family doctor and explained our situation. They ran an Elisa blood test for Lyme on both of us and both tests came back negative. The Elisa test is highly inaccurate. Time went on and our symptoms got worse. Most doctors don't believe Lyme disease exists and it is hard to find a doctor that is willing to listen and help. Thankfully, we found a naturopath that was Lyme literate. We got blood tests done through Armin labs in Germany and the results were positive. Joe and I also have three coinfections which are as deadly as the Lyme itself. Due to our illness, both my husband and I are unable to work and our finances are dwindling quickly.
After doing more research, I found out Lyme can be transmitted in utero and through breastfeeding. Watching my son even closer, I noticed he was exhibiting strange behaviours. Hitting his head a lot, becoming an extremely picky eater and not wanting to eat solid foods anymore, he didn't start walking until he was 16 months and he is still not talking. These are all symptoms of Lyme disease. We just got bloodwork done for Dextin and just found out that he is positive for Lyme disease. Dextin having Lyme breaks my heart. You never want your child to be sick and to think I may have transmitted it to him makes me feel like the worst mother in the world. I will never forgive myself.
Treatment for Chronic Lyme disease is extremely expensive and has to be paid out of pocket. Without treatment, the disease can become deadly.
We just want to have our lives back. We want to be able to do simple everyday tasks without being dehabilitated. We want to be healthy again so that we can enjoy life again.
The money will be used for treatments so that we can become healthy again.
We are asking for your help. Any contributions would be truly appreciated and we would be forever grateful.
Thanks for your support
Angie, Joe and Dextin Van Straten
Organizer
Angie Van Straten
Organizer
Rumsey, AB
