I was bitten by a tick and only knew how serious Lyme disease is, because of a dear girl, who became so chronically ill with this horrid disease, she took her own life.

A year later, just by chance,  I heard Bunny Guinness on Radio 4, describe a strange round red mark I had on my neck and how this unusual mark from an insect bite, had made her feel. 

She also described it as a bull's eye rash that enlarged with a raised outer rim. 

Mine was exactly the same and my symptoms of feeling ill were identical. 

I went straight to the doctor who had no idea what I was talking about and I had to read her the government NICE guidelines & ask her to look at pictures of similar marks, on the internet. 

I now know these are called Erythema Migrans - and also that I was lucky to have one showing,  because only 60% of Lyme disease sufferers do. 

Because of randomly, hearing Bunny Guinness on the radio and then Rosie Milsom at Caudwell Lyme who helped me, I was able to procure the necessary antibiotics from a sadly ignorant and unhelpful doctor. 

Undiagnosed Lyme destroys peoples' lives everyday, because the doctors don't know about it and NHS test isn't accurate. Consequently,  it masquerades as a myriad of illnesses that are never cured because really they are caused by Lyme Disease, spreading around the body: effecting the brain, the spine, all the joints and the organs.

Ticks love the warmer, wetter weather -  climate change - so now can be found anywhere in the UK - not only in the wilds of countryside, or near deer,  but in city parks and domestic gardens. 

Once ticks have drunk blood from a mouse, or a bird, or your dog, or your cat,  they can live for THREE WEEKS !   anywhere, a lawn, your house,  your apple tree, your flowers,  inside your shoe or even your hat. 

They are EVERYWHERE & will effect you, or someone you know.

Caudwell LymeCo helped change the Government guidelines for better help for patients but the NHS treatments still aren't good enough for full recoveries, so many, many people are living in chronic pain.

I am literally terrified of blades of grass now (!)

So, I'm raising money for research that finds better testing and treatments, so that everyone can be diagnosed, treated and cured on the NHS. 

To do this, I've asked international performers to entertain you and encourage you to donate.

If you haven't already, you can view the monologues and performances here:  https://m.facebook.com/MonologuesForLyme 

Please help - thank you.  xxx