Report about the fair

My goodness, what a week! Exciting, busy, upsetting when talking to people who are sick and suffering without the luxury of a doctor to help or support them. A whole host of emotions worked through this week.

The Brampton Fall Fair started on Thursday and we had a Lyme booth there. I am also the Photography convenor, so Thursday was an interesting, long and busy day! But we managed to do it all. We didn't man the Lyme booth that evening, though.

A small part of the hall while judging is going on

 Friday morning dear hubby and Joe met at the fairgrounds to finish setting up the booth and tie the banners properly, since short stuff here didn't do a good enough job, haha! Then it started raining, and raining, until a virtual swamp appeared in the grass. We need the rain so no complaints. Just sloshing!

Arno holding the new banner - notice the water in the grass!

Friday afternoon I joined them and we stayed there until it became too cold and dark. Teenagers were out to enjoy the Midway. Rouxline joined us in the booth. I'm so very grateful to friends who lend their time to help reach out to others! One of the best contacts I made was to talk to a man from the Peel Police, who goes to schools to do safety talks. He is going to arrange a session at a local high school in the spring.

Saturday dawned bright and clear. Linda and David arrived and started talking to the crowds. We collected scores of signatures on the petition and handed out lots of brochures, answered questions and felt it was a much needed program to offer to people. We never spoke to large groups, but always to family units, couples or individuals. Most were grateful for the information.

Lyme Mobile and people listening, looking at banners, etc.

With Dave and Linda

 On Sunday, another lovely day, Jess came out with Mikki to join us. Again we spoke to many different people. One lady heard me on AM740 at some time talking to Dale Goldhawk - it was too funny! She was planning to come to hear Dr. Ernie Murakami in Brampton on Tuesday, September 18th anyway.

It was heartbreaking to hear some stories. One mother found a tick on her 7-year old's ear this summer. She took him to one doctor who said not to worry. Then a red circle developed and she took him back. A different doctor was on call and gave her 3 weeks of antibiotics. The boy's father was a Scout, and there was a warning posted on the campground where they were, so they were on the lookout.
What a difference education and information can make!

Arno, Jess and Joe with me under the CanLyme banner

At 4:00 pm the Homecraft prize giving session was held in the hall before we started breaking down. Lots of happy winners receiving their gift cards or certificates.

Katelyn had the most points in the Junior section

More winner pictures can be seen HERE if anyone is interested.

 Now - got to run and get a lot of stuff done, then prepare for Dr. Murakami tomorrow. Scroll down a bit on this blog if you want to see who he is. A hero in many eyes, for sure, and we are lucky enough to have him in Brampton, at Heart Lake United Church on Tuesday, September 18 to talk and answer questions about Lyme Disease!

Brampton fair

Going wild at the fair with the Lyme booth! Lots of people stopping to talk and get brochures, sign the petition and such. Awareness being risen in Brampton for sure!
Picture of Dave, Linda and I.

People are thanking us for the time we give. But we have to, right?
I'm so grateful to everyone for their time.

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Lyme booth at Brampton Fall Fair to Sunday

Things are really moving around the Lyme Front this month!
I've just received an outdoor banner with my friend Fi's design at the top. She's in South Africa, so we have international designers helping with this! I had ordered it some weeks ago but it took a while to be delivered and I was getting antsy .... Hopefully it can help with our displays, depending on where we are.

Check it out on the left - what do you think?

It will be set up today as part of our booth at the Brampton Fall Fair which is on until Sunday. If you want to join us, you can buy passes for only $20 per person, which will give you access all day, any day, until Sunday. You can come and go as you like with that.

Otherwise, a one-day admission is $10 per adult, $8 per student or senior, and children under 12 are $2 each.

There are all sorts of events going on during the fair. The Ontario Falcon Centre is there again with their birds of Prey, for instance. If you want to see some pictures from last year, here they are CLICK

There are car races, horse shows, a Gymkhana, Welsh ponies, vintage car displays, a baby show on Sunday, rabbits, pigeons and horses, and a lot of baby chicks which children usually love to watch. Below is a PDF schedule of events for the fair, if you want to see the variety of items being presented. And don't forget to stop by the halls! Play a bit of fun on the Penny Sale, and in the Homecraft building, see the display of Antiques, baking, canning, arts and crafts, children's handwork, needlework, photography, 4-H displays --- maybe next year you or your children would like to enter something!

Brampton Fair Schedule

Come on out and visit a little! Stop by the Midway or let the kids play at the booths to win a stuffed toy while you browse the booths.

At our Lyme tent, we have volunteers who will be chatting and answering questions, handing out brochures and sharing information. I'm so grateful to people who are coming to help with that, reaching out to the community. Thank you, my friends.

Dr. Ernie Murakami has arrived in Ontario and will do his first presentation at Fort Erie tonight. He will answer questions about Lyme Disease, the treatment and care and is hoping to help people find answers.
He will be in Brampton on Tuesday evening. The list of lectures and venues up to Kingston and back down to Toronto can be found HERE. There is a possibility that a lecture might be added for Ottawa, if a venue can be found.

All very exciting. Joe is back from the Outdoor Farm Show. See the previous two entries on this blog about that event. He says it went incredibly well and we are already booked again for next year! We'll talk about helpers as soon as the excitement of September has died down a bit.

We CAN make a difference and we CAN help people get the information they need. The petition forms are steadily arriving and adding to the groundswell.

Let's go!

Farm show: Thanks to Salford

Second post from the show: we are busy! Lots of people asking questions, taking brochures, signing the petition, picking up the info about dr. Murakami's talks.

Carolyn is doing a wonderful job, talking to people as they pass by.

This was all made possible through the kindness of Salford, sharing their space with us. They made it possible to literally save lives.

Case in point: I've just talked to Roy - and the old story surfaces. No diagnosis, no treatment, even though he has a Lyme test from California - just steadily declining health and quality of life. Five years of it.

Twice a day Salford does Safety demonstrations, and allows Joe to talk about Lyme Disease along with their presentation. They clearly support this as very important protection for farmers.

Salford's website is salfordmachine.com

By the way, I made T-shirts for Joe, saying 'ask me about Lyme Disease'. He says people want to buy his off him! I think he likes the attention ...

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Farm show wow!

The little Lyme Mobile drew attention where it was parked!

One of the many displays put on with humour

Posting from the Outdoor Farm Show - and it took me about an hour to pick up my jaw from the ground ... This is huge. Immense. Not even the CNE in Toronto boggled my mind like this. People, machinery, displays, mums in all colours, food, and everything so orderly and well planned.

In the hour or so since Carolyn and I arrived, we've collected lots of signatures on the petition, and spoke with many.

Several people reported bites, showed their red mark and I took pictures.

All thanked us for our time. Or said keep on doing what you are doing. This is important.

So grateful for the opportunity!

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Lyme Mobile at the Outdoor Farm Show

 {Sorry for two posts in one day .... the Invisible Disease list was compiled before so just posted it now. }

This is going to be one big, busy week! We hope to reach those who are so very vulnerable to the bite of ticks, those who look after our welfare: The Farmers.

The Lyme Mobile will be at the Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, where last year 42,600 visitors came through! Friend Joe will man the three days, but I'm planning to join him at least for one day.

Joe and I with the Lyme Mobile earlier this year

Joe will also do Safety Talks about Lyme disease two or three times a day during the Show. 
We've got several copies of the Petition available, hoping to collect even more signatures. 
We've got CanLyme brochures and note cards, we've got information about Dr. Ernie Murakami's information talks this week and until the end of  September ---- we hope that people will learn something about Lyme Disease.

The gift of time from people who have become my family -- if this disease has done one thing, it has created connections to people I might never have met. Or maybe have met but not grown to be like family. I now have a wealth of siblings, parents, uncles and aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces -- all connected through the disease in my blood.

30 things about my invisible disease you may not know

1. The illness I live with is: Chronic Lyme Disease
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2010
3. But I had symptoms since: 2007
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Allowing other people to help me.
5. Most people assume: That I'm "feeling better" if I'm up and out.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting up - where I was always eager to get going.
7. My favorite medical TV show: Used to be 'House', but the disease made it difficult to follow the plot and to concentrate.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: E-reader
9. The hardest part about nights are: Switching between insomnia or sleeping like a dead person.
10. Each day I take 54 pills, supplements & vitamins.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Believe that research is needed, and am grateful for the support I get from my doctors and a Chinese healer who know about each other and the items I'm taking to help support my body.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Visible illness - when I was in a wheelchair a few times in 2011, people immediately became more courteous and helpful. And my family had fun popping wheelies and making me laugh!
13. Regarding working and career: It was hard to admit that I could no longer do what I used to be able to do quickly and efficiently.
14. People would be surprised to know: That every little thing takes an effort, to get started, to get going, to get up and out.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: I have always wanted to donate my organs, since age 12. Now the doctor told me I can never do that. For some reason that upset me more than even the knowledge that I also have co-infections called Babesia and Bartonella, plus another (as yet) unnamed infection.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Drive alone across highway 401 in morning rush hour traffic to a hospital for drug allergy tests.
17. The commercials about my illness: Are not yet enough to protect others from contracting Lyme Disease.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Planning events for my friends and family.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: Cheese and bread!
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Educating others about Lyme disease, which includes public speaking. Is that a hobby? It takes up enough time and energy - with the help of faithful friends!
21. If I could have one week of feeling normal again I would: Go on a SCUBA liveaboard in Fiji or somewhere. (see Bucket list tab above)
22. My illness has taught me: That one person's idea or voice CAN make a difference.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "It might be a mental block or problem you have that is making you sick"
24. But I love it when people: Understand that it is not about my being sick, but about everyone else being vulnerable without more information.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: We are not alone; we live in God's world.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: I'm here to help if you are scared or have questions. If I don't know, I'll help you find out.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with this illness is: How eager people are to know more, to understand and to be able to help.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Believe me.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I'm morally compelled to share what I have had to learn about this disease, to protect my own sanity and the health of those I care about, and the ones that are dear to them.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Hopeful that we are getting more information, awareness and knowledge out there - and maybe, someday soon, we can even get treated in our own country without going bankrupt in the process! Better yet, more information will prevent people getting to the state where so many of us find ourselves, dealing with long-term or chronic Lyme Disease.

We had another table to give information about Lyme Disease. This time, however, it was disappointing. We found the arrangements for the event badly communicated, very few signs, no information of where we'll be setting up (grass or cement), and nobody in the park apparently aware of what was going on or where. Sue came to help out, and Arno brought extra water. He and Joe enjoyed some beer and wings.

When the wind came up and kept blowing our tent and the flyers every which way, we took it down and just sat in the open. Very few people came to ask information, or even make eye contact. They were clearly there to eat and drink and not listen to us trying to talk over the music!  Most didn't seem to notice the beauty of the moon raising - the second one in the same month, so a Blue Moon. But it was pink when I took pictures.

 There was some guy doing a Waldo impression and pretending to be funny, but we thought he was not at all funny, bad taste in jokes (among others, trying to make fun of the shooting at the Batman movie) and then he wondered why nobody was laughing! 

However, it was not all bad, not by a long shot. Spending time with friends who give so generously of their time in the quest to spread awareness of Lyme Disease, and to support me in the process, never is a waste of time.

We made two fabulous contacts -- one an MP who gave permission that we could drop by the office to leave CanLyme brochures, flyers about Dr. Murakami coming to do a series of 6 talks at different venues, and copies of the petition to ask for a National Lyme Disease strategy!

That was not all. Another girl saw the CanLyme banner and came over to talk, saying they want to start a wellness centre at a clinic to also be able to help and support people with Lyme Disease. I offered that Jess and I will go, of course. What a wonderful opportunity!


Oh yes and I fell. Threw the rough tarmac with a person. No idea how I did it, or how I landed. Right hand has a gouge and is swollen, left knee looks like a blue moon with the deep bruise blooming over it, and the right foot inside is scraped. Back must have been wrenched. But it could have been worse. Nothing broken!

DOWNLOADS:

• Updated flyer with all six places where Dr. Murakami will be speaking (Fort Erie, Burlington, London, Brampton, Kingston, Toronto) in September 2012. Please post where you can, or give to contacts you might have at pharmacies, doctor's office or other health care workers. Of course people with Lyme or caring for someone who has Lyme are invited as well!
• Brampton Fall Fair -- it goes over four days from Sept. 13-16, and isn't just for farmers! Anyone with hobbies like photography, knitting, sewing, drawing or painting, gardening, baking, canning and more can enter something in the fair. It is great fun to take part, to join in and to just be there. There are flyers for the Baby Show, the Classic Car show, the Fair in general, and more. LINK

Another presentation done

What a glorious day! Jessica asked me to help her with presenting to a group of health care workers and we are very grateful that they gave us time out of their busy schedule. They were interested and attentive and asked pertinent questions. Each person was also given handouts that Jess had prepared, including CanLyme brochures, invitations to Dr. Murakami's presentation on September 18, an example of Isagenix text results, the Embers study report, and more.

My information board is a little battered after three years of being dragged to various locations as part of the visual material --- but it gets the job done!

Tomorrow I believe Kim is doing a presentation to a clinic in Orangeville. On Friday and Saturday there is the Wingfest in Brampton where I'll have a table and flyers, with the help of friends who give their time.

The word is really getting spread. As long as people hear and act on protecting themselves and their loved ones, we have succeeded.

On another level! Made and bottled some more ginger beer to hand out as gifts to friends. I should immediately get another batch brewing, perhaps. So good that people who give me their time, enjoy the things we make because there is no way I can pay them for their gifts of time, care and concern. What a blessing to be surrounded by such a network of care!

“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.”
~ Author Unknown

Tomato stew - lots of it!

We went to the farmers' market this morning and bought half a bushel of fresh tomatoes, a basket of onions and some button mushrooms. The following pictures were taken with the Blackberry as we went along, and the write-up was done in between.

Garlic peeler, grating dish and brush

We had fresh garlic from our back yard and a big zucchini (marrow) from a neighbour. We figured we might as well add more veggies in the stew while we're about it and while everything is fresh! As for a recipe - I've been making this for so many years that there is no real recipe to follow, but I'll try to give an idea at the end of this post for those who want to try. We usually make smaller batches, though.

Started off with chopped onions, add the garlic and soften. Then we peeled and chopped the zucchini, adding to the mixture. Added the chopped mushrooms at a later stage.

We've been chopping and peeling and stirring for a good two hours! The house smelled lovely with the addition of thyme, freshly grated nutmeg, white and black pepper. We only added a small amount of sea salt, and I always add some sugar or Xylitol, which I've been using with success since all sweeteners had to be cut out due to the strict medical food restrictions. More tomatoes were sliced and added to the pot, until it was as full as you will see in a later picture.

We haven't done this in ages! Read: pre-Lyme Disease.

The stew is to be bottled and some to be frozen. Mason jars (canning jars) are wonderful to use for freezing anything from leftover soup to meat or sauces and gravies. We use the tomato stew as the base for everything: meat or pasta dishes and casseroles, soups and chili, lasagna or spinach stew.

The picture with empty wine bottle is just to show the scale of the stock pot. It holds something like 12 or 14 litres and was almost full but we had to leave room for bubbling. Use a good wooden spoon to stir, and if needed, put a lid on the pot to stop splatters, but leave room for evaporation.

Other pics were taken during the whole process. Just a few are uploaded here.

Tasted the flavour and adjusted, although we always add flavouring later, depending on how we use the sauce in dishes. Scooped out batches into a smaller bowl and used an immersion blender to create a thick sauce before bottling.

We bottled 30 small jars of 250 ml (1 cup) as well as 5 larger jars of the sauce. What a joy to have for winter! For labels, I just printed some simple labels with our names and the month and year, as well as what to use the sauce for.

Fruit of our labour! Lots of jars of sauce

Best is knowing what is in the sauce, without any extra chemicals.

RECIPE FOR TOMATO STEW 
The basic stew just asks for onions and tomatoes. If possible, use Romano tomatoes since I find they have more flesh. 

• Slice 3-4 medium sized onions and fry to soft and yellow in a bit of coconut oil, butter or olive oil
• Slice fresh tomatoes and add to the onions until the mixture is more red than white, about 2 pounds (1 kg)
• Add some fresh garlic if you like
• Add salt, black pepper and a little bit of sugar / sweetener
• Add herbs of your liking. We add nutmeg, thyme, rosemary. 
• Stir and keep cooking until the stew thickens
• Scoop into jars, baggies or bottles and freeze or keep in the fridge

 Additional ingredients or preparation:
Use the sauce as is or use a food processor or wand to create a smoother sauce before bottling.
Add any other sort of veggies you might have during the cooking process, like mushrooms, Swiss Chard, spinach, celery, etc. Fresh or dried herbs like basil might be added to some batches and label accordingly.

Have fun and hand out or take along as hostess gifts. 

Free Lyme info sessions in September!

Really exiting news is that the LDAO, the Lyme Disease Association of Ontario, arranged for information sessions so that people could ask questions, meet others and get support when they or their loved ones are dealing with Lyme Disease. We hope that health care workers, pharmacists and physicians will also attend some of the sessions if they can.

Dr. Ernie Murakami is a man I've met personally and you can read more about those meetings by searching his name in this blog. I have immense respect for him and his knowledge about the disease, his tireless education and the time he spends to help others. If you can attend any of the sessions, please do. You won't be sorry!

Don't click on the thumbnail to download; find the link at the end of this paragraph. It will be in mid-September, on the 14th in Fort Erie, the 15th in Burlington, the 17th in London and the 18th in Brampton.
Download information sheet from HERE, or go to the LDAO website to download from there. 


Book online for Brampton
I'm especially involved in the Brampton event and have created an online invitation for people to "book a seat" so to speak. There are no assigned seats; it will be first come, first served, but the venue has excellent acoustics. It is free to attend any of the sessions, but we hope to receive some donations either online or at the door to help offset travel costs. You can refer family or friends to the online invitation as well. When registering, the seat count will adjust and you can also invite others from there. Whatever is easy for you! Online registration for Brampton only HERE. 

Brampton Flyer

Don't click on the graphic to download, it just shows what the flyer looks like.
The green thumbnail graphic shows a flyer created to help promote the Brampton event, if you wish to invite friends or contacts or put up posters at your doctor's office, health care workers, clinic or pharmacy. Remember to ask permission first!

The flyer is in PDF format and should open on most computers, as well as print on most printers.
DOWNLOAD 

Please share this information or blog post with others, on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you might have connections who might be interested. Even if you can't attend, perhaps you want to donate a few dollars, wherever you are. The money will all be paid over to dr. Murakami's foundation, to be used for education about Lyme Disease.

Music in the park and missing pants

No, the one has nothing to do with the other ---- they just happened on the same day!

Tonight Joe and I had a table sharing Lyme info at Gage park, during the Inspirational Music in the Park program. It was a great evening!

After all the rain of today, it turned out to be a perfect, green, balmy summer night. The squirrels were running and being amusing, people wandered around, children danced to the music and we could sing along with some familiar tunes.

We had the petition there, and collected 20 signatures from people who were interested and concerned, realizing that anyone is vulnerable to the devastation of Lyme Disease and need to know what to look out for. We shared hints and flyers about how to protect ourselves and loved ones. We are so grateful to Phyllis for inviting us to set up our table, and to Lesley for graciously granting us permission!

Inspirational Music in the Park is the brainchild of Lesley Morgan, and is in its 12th year. More info on http://www.inspirationalmusic.org
Every Tuesday during the summer, join various groups and people for a relaxing couple of hours in the park.

Now, the question of the missing pants ....
Well, the truth is that I misplaced my pants this morning. Really. No, I wasn't in them at the time. But I've noticed (or was told) the last week or so that the old brain wasn't up to speed. The Lyme bugs must be having a grand old time up there again or something. I've been struggling with this for months now, but it seemed to have been slightly better for a while.

The last three weeks, more and more chunks of time went missing in my mind. I could not recall what happened even an hour ago, and couldn't retrace steps to find things I had in my hands or usually handle with a strict form of routine. After we got rained on on Saturday, the deep body chill took hours to go away, and I was missing a chunk of time until after I'd started to warm up again in bed with soup, hot chocolate and an electric blanket. My keys are still missing from then - hopefully they will be found! But it did mean I vacuumed the bedroom properly in the search for them, so not all lost.

Oh yes, the pants. Last night I was doing some laundry, and planned what to wear for today. Clean laundry was put away. When I wanted to get dressed this morning, the specific pair of pants were nowhere to be found. Told long-suffering hubby who had no ideas to offer. I looked everywhere. Of course we had lots of jokes to share about the Case of the Missing Pants!

Yes we found them eventually, hanging innocently over the banister, nicely folded. How on earth did they get there instead of in the closet? No idea. I was sure I put them away. No recollection of folding them on the banister instead.

You might say we all do things like this. Sure, we do. Misplace keys, a sweater or handbag or a pair of glasses.  But it keeps happening more and more, unable to retrace steps and sometimes completely unaware that I've put something where they're not supposed to be until someone tells me.


It is mind-boggling, and more than a little scary - because the more I try to be methodical and in control, the more tiny parts of my mind are slipping through my grasp like little slippery fish.


However, to be graphic about the Lyme stuff, I've not been too well before the wedding and it got worse. Nothing to do with stress, but I was feeling more and more sick, couldn't face food, and would not be able to keep down what I managed to eat. That meant I was also not getting all the meds, since some would be eliminated along with food. Weird rashes would spread all over my body, getting worse with every episode. Turning interesting colours added to the adventures!

The Sunday before our son's wedding was the worst episode yet and I was violently sick. On the Monday I contacted the Lyme doctor in the States, who wrote back to drop all meds until after the wedding and then to start slowly back again.

So, that means for about 3 weeks now I have been off meds, and Arno thought more of the Lyme symptoms were coming back. Especially the malaria-type symptoms are making me crazy with chills, sweats, fatigue, muscle ache and trouble to get to sleep despite using a low dose of Melatonin.The most worrying one is the recurring issue with bigger chunks of missing time. Arno has already taken over sorting out my meds every ten days. His help, patience and support mean more than I could ever say.

Interesting journey! Every day brings something different. But in putting up a booth at these community events, and talking to more and more people who always thank us for sharing the information, handing out pamphlets and being concerned for their welfare, make it all worth while. If even one person listens at each of these events, it means one family who might be able to protect themselves or ask for help if they should need it.

Recommended reading: "Still Alice", by Lisa Genova (or see Goodreads info)

Brampton Farmer's Market

Posted from the market via Blackberry

Come on down!
The Farmer's market is where you can get fresh veg, fruit, flowers, herbs, treats and conversation; live music, community groups and just be outside for a bit.

Yes, it is drizzling or raining, but everything is fresh and clean, the heat is broken and people are out to enjoy!

We have the Lyme mobile at our booth, we have flyers, we have the petition, (see top tab on this blog), and we're ready to share information with anyone who asks or needs it.

See you at the market!
Picture above: Joe, Arno and I are here in our green shirts.

Update from home: It was a great day, probably our most successful outreach and sharing of information! We handed out lots of brochures, answered many questions, talked to concerned people who were bitten this summer, gave information to people who have had known tick bites, and filled pages of signatures for the petition re getting a National Lyme Strategy in place.

We also made contact with several people who invited us to set up a booth at different community events this summer. We have dates into October at this point! Might have to try and buy our own canopy or tent, rather than always borrow one from a kind friend.

More pictures of our booth at the Brampton Farmer's Market can be seen on this link, also showing other pictures of our booths at various events: Our Lyme efforts, 2012

Councillor John Sanderson is one of our supporters

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Wedding whirlwind

My apologies for not posting much lately! We have houseguests from South Africa who came over for our son's wedding on August 4th. It all went well and now we can try to get back to normal!

Our new family member, Jenni

On August 6, friends Joe, Pam and Renie manned a booth about Lyme disease at the Terra Cotta cycle race, and got several more signatures for the Petition.

This coming Saturday, August 11, we'll have a booth at the popular Brampton Farmer's Market. Come see us if you can, buy some fresh fruit, veg or flowers, and enjoy the outdoors, the music, the colours and the people!

Lyme booth at a large youth event

We had another successful day at Le Tour de Terra Cotta, billed as Ontario's largest Youth Event for cyclists. Thanks to Pam, Renie and Joe who manned our Lyme tent on Aug 6th. Also thanks to Kim for arranging to have the Lyme Mobile available to be parked in the parking lot for added attraction.

We talked to a few people that had friends with Lyme disease and they are going to email that info to us. Some thanked us for being there to inform people about the disease and ways to prevent it. Another gentleman said that his daughter (who was in the event today ) was very sick a few months ago and the docotors had tested her for Lyme disease but it was negative. It proved to be something else and she was treated successfully. We handed out lots of brochures and 17 people sign the petition. Thanks to Marlene and Arno that came in near the end of the event and was able to return the borrowed tent we use. It was a great relaxing day in Terra Cotta down near the river.

Pam, Joe and Renie

Thanks all for your help, the hours you give and the information you share. We are a great team!

Our next dates and places to talk about Lyme Disease:

• Brampton Farmer's Market - August 11;
• Inspirational Music in the Park - August 14 (tbc);
• Brampton's Wingfest - August 31/Sept 1 (tbc);
• Canada's Outdoor Farm Show - Sept 11-13 (tbc);
• Brampton Fall Fair - Sept 13-16

Raising awareness today

Posting from behind the Lyme Awareness table on location!

Says friend Joe: "Peel Health should be doing this information and outreach! We should be getting their wages!"

Yeah, right. And piglets might fly, eh?

Activity at our Lyme booth, questions and interest as people walk by. One woman became totally shocked because she is sure she had a Bulls eye rash on her chest last summer! She took a picture of her rash and will send it to me tonight.

This is criminal neglect: People getting bitten or sick and not being made aware of the early symptoms and available treatment.

People are signing the petition, which is good! (See blog post http://t.co/DTRTEpCT to read about the petition.)

The day is hot, but we have a breeze and shade under the tent. People are showing interest when they see the information board. Talking to tree doctors who knew a bit about Lyme, but were shocked about the lack of treatment in Canada.

Every person who hears the message, is one more who can protect themselves and loved ones.

Exciting: set up a talk with a school principal to slot into their Health cirricculum when school starts again. The children are my main concern. They are our future, after all.


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National Lyme Strategy Petition is ready!

** Updated: The links to 4Shared were giving trouble, so please click on link #2 below for another place to find Elizabeth May's petition in PDF format.

***UPDATED Nov 2012: We now also have a petition from Tory David Tilson, M.P. (Dufferin-Caledon)! Let me know if you want a copy to collect and send in signatures. It asks for a National Strategy as well. Email to ask for David Tilson's petition.

ELIZABETH MAY'S PETITION
So grateful and excited! I've been in regular touch with the office of Elizabeth May, MP, about the petition to ask for a National Strategy dealing with Lyme Disease. Since we were planning another information booth at SouthFields Community Day tomorrow, I was hoping it would be ready.

And --- guess what - here it is! Just received after 2pm today, approved by the House of Commons. We can print, have friends and family sign and share according to the instructions printed on every page!
Please link this blog page to your blog or your Facebook, or Twitter, in order for others to share and download the same document. Print, read info and collect signatures. Choose one of the three links that works for you. The first one is on 4Shared for those who have accounts there. The #2 link is on an outside website. The #3 link should be accessible to most others. Hit the green "Download" button on the page that will open: (a) #1 link to Download Petition or (b)  #2 link to Download Petition  or (c) #3 link to Download Petition.

Let's go! If we can use the next few weeks to get copies of the petition signed and sent in, we can hit the ground running in September. Please remember that only people who live in Canada are allowed to sign the petition, but feel free to share with friends who might be in contact with others here!

More awareness: Booth at SouthFields Community Day

Once again we are planning to talk to people about Lyme Disease, share information and pamphlets, answer questions and in general make sure more and more people know how to look out for themselves and their loved ones.

This Saturday, July 14, is the 3rd annual SouthFields Community Day, with booths, food, make-your-own items, demonstrations, a Scavenger hunt to "Find Bob", book signing by an author, and more. Over 30 participants will be showcasing their talents, skills and offerings for our enjoyment and enrichment. There will be classic cars to admire, contemporary art, vocal groups, inflatables for kids, a chance to use a pottery wheel, and more.

We'll have our Lyme Disease table and  canopy tent there if you want to come by to say hi! Perhaps you have friends with questions about Lyme disease. Perhaps you have a story to share. If you know someone with Lyme disease who would like to be part of the tally, please let them look at the tab at the top of this page for more information.

I'll also have samples of real ticks there to show how tiny they are. Don't worry, they'll be very dead!

Click the link on the left

The event runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. In case of rain, everything will be moved into the school. 
Address: SouthFields Village Public School, 110 Learmont Ave, Caledon. Go north on Kennedy road, cross Mayfield road and the new subdivision will be on your right. Click for a MAP

Here is a pamphlet explaining more about the event on Saturday, that you can page through like a book on your computer. SouthFields Community Day 
There is a full page with details about the schedule and times, of what happens when during the day.

Link to large map is on the right

The picture only shows one view. Bigger layout map of the event can be found here - look at the top of the page for the yellow square with label "Lyme Disease", opposite the red Fire trucks area.

We are amazed at how many people come to ask for information about Lyme disease. They know a little, or have heard the word, but they are hungry and eager to learn more. 

With all these events going on, I don't get to update the second part of my story on this blog. My apologies! Thank you for visiting or sharing.

* This September, there will be articles in the SouthFields Village voice about Lyme Disease, both from a vet and from me as a patient.

Grateful for all the opportunities! Please ask if you need to know something. If we don't know, we'll find out.

Posting from Cheltenham Day

Right, let's see how it works to post while on location!

Most important: I've change this blog to have a clear link for those who want to add to the tally of Lyme patients in Ontario. Please look at the top for the correct tab to a page behind this one. 

Back to today's events: Right now we're watching the Downhill Soap Box derby - my first time seeing them live! (Cell picture showing a finish and some of the tents and people.)

We're having great conversations about Lyme disease, people asking questions and taking flyers and contact cards.

Talking to a vet who once again said the ticks are very active this year, but they usually respond to treatment. Their screening tests for Lyme are done in office and takes only fifteen minutes. (That tests for the antibodies and doesn't mean the dog has Lyme.)

He even found a Lone Star tick - those are the ones that can chase after a victim, and that I always thought were only down in Texas!

It is clear that we need to raise awareness in any way possible, keep writing to newspapers even though they have mostly ignored my letters and articles so far, and getting people to talk to their doctors. As dr. Murakami keeps saying, we are facing a pandemic the longer there is no general information posted.

Preliminary future events: talking to a Gardening Club, and talking to a Rotary Club.

Grateful to friend Joe for getting me in contact with so many people!


Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Very hot, very busy week!

More things happened on the Lyme front, but the biggest event is that we have had record-breaking heat this week. I feel a bit wilted --- thank goodness that friends invited us for a pool party tonight! Marvellous to cool down a bit. How I love living in this place with the dramatic weather changes in every season! Picture shows the temperature reading on my car's outside thermometer at 3 PM this afternoon, reading 40C:

Last Sunday was Canada Day. Thanks to Joe, we had a table and booth at Downey's Farm Market, where they were putting on a Strawberry Festival. Lots of conversations about Lyme Disease, handing out flyers, answering questions and getting some feedback. MPP Sylvia Jones came by as well for a chat and asked if they could have a picture. We gladly posed for one with her.

This Saturday we'll be setting up a booth at the Cheltenham Day where there will be a Soap Box Derby, Duck races, and more. Every person we can tell about Lyme Disease and how to protect themselves and their loved ones, might make a difference in their lives.

Links:
Cheltenham Day
MPP Sylvia Jones