Impacted By Tick-Borne Disease? Support Groups Aren’t Just For Patients

Guest post by Jennifer Sala, Health Coach based in Hancock County, Maine.

My name is Jen and I’m starting the Downeast Lyme and Co-infection Support Group at the INSPIRE Recovery Center because I’m, well, inspired by the unbelievably difficult struggle that is life with Lyme and other tick borne diseases – from bacterial to viral to parasitic.

I’ve been struggling for the better part of my life with long undiagnosed tick-borne diseases, not limited to Lyme, and if one thing is for sure, it’s that most people don’t understand. I host a virtual monthly support group on Zoom with wonderful people from across the state and country, but now it’s time for home to come first!

I encourage those with a tick-borne disease diagnosis, and those who care about them, to stop in. Even if your favorite person with a Lyme/co-infection diagnosis doesn’t want to come themselves, it’s totally great if you show up by yourself because:

1) It shows those in your life who do have a Lyme diagnosis that you care. It shows that you believe that they are struggling, are interested in learning more about their hardship, and are willing to help them find healing.

2) You can develop a different perspective and better understanding of Lyme’s myriad symptoms and their impact on individuals. Why aren’t they better yet? Why do they bail on dinner plans all the time now? How can someone so young have so many problems? Why do they act different – is it me? Shouldn’t doing something fun make them feel better? Are they just doing it for attention? Gotta love new insight!

3) You can learn new ways of being supportive and helpful. You might be surprised by the simple things that can make a world of difference to your loved one! As a health coach and holistic herbalist, the one thing I always wish I could do for my clients is rally their loved ones in support of their effort, so here it is!

Patients past and present, friends, family, and caregivers, come on by the INSPIRE Center on Church Street in downtown Ellsworth to share your experiences, concerns, and questions at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 7 and 21, 2021, as we build a caring, supportive, understanding community that facilitates hope and healing for ourselves and those we love.

Hope to see you there!

-Jen

If you would like more info about me, the group, or a link to my next Zoom group please don’t hesitate to reach out:

Email: jennifer.l.sala@gmail.com

Text: 207-460-6807

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sala-44765a39/