Parents with Children with Lyme Must Know These Five Things

💚 Phyllis and Scott Bedford, co-founders of the LymeLight Foundation, are being honored by Project Lyme for their extraordinary contributions to the Lyme community. On this episode of the Love, Hope, Lyme Podcast, Fred Diamond welcomes Phyllis Bedford ahead of the Project Lyme Gala in New York City on September 14, where she and Scott will receive this special recognition. Over the past 15 years, LymeLight has helped approximately 1,700 grant recipients across all 50 states and provided $12 million in assistance to families struggling to afford Lyme treatment. But this conversation is also deeply personal. Phyllis shares what she wishes she had known when her own daughter was diagnosed with Lyme disease 18 years ago and offers five important pieces of advice for parents whose children are battling Lyme and tick-borne illness. Her five tips for parents begins at the 8 minute mark. Her first message: keep pressing on. If you believe something is wrong with your child, don't allow yourself to be dismissed simply because tests come back normal or doctors don't have an immediate explanation. Phyllis discusses becoming your child's strongest advocate, educating yourself, finding Lyme-literate medical professionals, recognizing that Lyme can present very differently from one child to another, and seeking out the community and support that families desperately need. She also addresses congenital Lyme and why, when one family member is diagnosed, it can be important to consider what may be happening with siblings, parents and other family members. And she offers an encouraging message to parents overwhelmed by treatment decisions: start down a path. You don't need to have every answer today. Take the first step, remain open to changing direction, and keep searching for the next light. This episode celebrates Phyllis and Scott Bedford's remarkable work with LymeLight Foundation while providing practical guidance, encouragement and hope to parents navigating Lyme disease with their children. #LymeDisease #LymeLightFoundation #ProjectLyme #LoveHopeLyme #LymeAwareness #TickBorneDisease #PatientAdvocacy #LymeWarrior