Ava’s Story
Ava, Lyme Warrior, Survivor, Human
"If you would’ve asked me two years ago where I thought life would take me, I could’ve never imagined that I would be here. It seemed that, within a blink of an eye, my world was transformed. In 2021, I’d gone from an independent, straight-A, overachieving student and competitive vocalist to someone who spent more time in the hospital than in a classroom. There were multiple instances when I shook in my bed from anxiety, as I feared the consequences of simply walking to the bathroom; I thought to myself, “Should I force myself to wait for someone to help me, or should I risk fainting and hitting my head without assistance?” From April to October, I’d lost count of the number of doctor’s appointments, blood draws, and medications I was to take. I was forced to leave my dream school in October, as agonizing joint pain would render me unable to walk to class. There were days when I was virtually bed-bound, and I cycled through so many self-deprecating emotions; some days, I couldn’t even spell my name.
Experiencing chronic illness, particularly Lyme, is a grieving process. It’s all-consuming, and it often leaves folks feeling powerless. I often find myself questioning my reality, even still, due to the ways in which myself and many other Lyme patients are treated by medical institutions. However, through my experiences, I hope to use my empathy to pursue a career in medical advocacy. I plan to return to university soon, and, while my life has been permanently altered by Lyme and its cohorts, I will advocate for change, increased research, and an end to marginalization within medicine."
Stories reflect the experiences and perspectives of the individuals featured and are not intended as medical advice.
