A note from Heather's parents:

"Our family has personally experienced the devastating impact of a late Lyme diagnosis. 

We have met countless families across the United States, provinces of Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and in our Armed Forces who, after appropriate diagnosis, are now in treatment; some shorter courses, many long term.  Thousands diagnosed after years of seeking medical care for answers to the root of their suffering.  There is no known 'cure' for late stage Lyme.  The earlier the intervention, the greater the outcome. 

Current legislation is pending for such a time as this.  You can impact the outcome for prevention, research and development, and treatment of Lyme disease by contacting your congressman and urging their vote in favor of US House Bill 1179.  http://www.cwork.com/

Our family receives an average of 15+ calls weekly, to as high as 60+ and countless emails on any given week from families seeking credible information related to their suffering.  They are ill and frustrated ~ often frightened for the life of a loved one.  Each one is seeking counsel, education or specialist referrals, from all across the United States. 

There are many misconceptions with regards to Lyme disease, also known as Borreliosis Complex.  We channel fear and hype to equipping.  Our years of advocating for an answer and now after four years of our daughter’s treatment and battle with Lyme disease has called our family to respond in faith.  We've been tested and tried.  We now serve to equip others with credible evidence-based science, prevention, appropriate testing facts, diagnostics for the Borrelia and related co-infections, complicating factors, immune and laboratory noted deficiencies and treatment options.  We serve with a host of well equipped professionals and trained organizations as well as Lyme trained physicians nationally, to aid with referrals to medical doctors who are CME (Continuing Medical Education) accredited trained in this field of medicine. 

We actively meet with physicians, bridging colleague to colleague relationships, near and far to introduce doctors to the emerging science, published treatment guidelines and standards of care and to facilitate their continuing education through the ILADs (International Lyme and Associated Diseases) physician grant training program.    http://www.ilads.org/lyme_programs/lyme_education.html

It is so important to ensure an appropriate differential diagnosis takes place. Not everyone should be defaulted to Lyme; but, the percentage of cases being misdiagnosed is great.  According to the CDC (Center for Diseases Control), the reported case numbers are at least 10 times greater in reality.               

As of year end, 2009, Pennsylvania is currently ranked #1 endemic for Lyme disease.  The 2009 statistics reported to date for PA are >59,000.  If numbers truly are deficient by 10 times, a closer realistic stat would be 590,000.  This fact, if published, would gain more focus and attention by the medical community moving the necessary science and research forward.  Because of the politics surrounding the disease where two standards of care are in debate, patients are being overlooked.  This allows a stealth pathogen time in the body to disseminate deeper into the multiple systems and organs, further complicating the diagnosis and treatment.    http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/Maps/index-html#  

It is well acknowledged amongst the Lyme disease treating community that the testing criteria is outdated and inefficient for a great percentage resulting in a significant number of misdiagnosis and false test results. 

On a local/regional level, we periodically are asked to host the showing of the documentary "Under Our Skin" produced by Open Eye Pictures. This fact-filled film is one of those equipping tools that dispel myths.  From the producers: " 'Under Our Skin' exposes the hidden epidemic of Lyme disease and reveals how our corrupt health care system is failing to address one of the most serious and mysterious illnesses of our time." 

We are grateful to the Florida couple who gifted us with this documentary for our outreach...It is our privilege to be able to share it.  We do so to bring the film's issues to the forefront of the American public and to serve our neighbors and friends in the tri-state region and beyond.  If you have not seen this pivotal documentary, we encourage you to do so.

This website has been created and gifted to our daughter to help with the education.  Heather's journey is the reason we are serving.  When she was diagnosed, we did not know where to turn; who to believe.  It was the research and personal experience, opportunities and privileges to meet and speak with scientists, researchers, leaders in the Lyme community and physicians on both sides of the debate as well as personal experience that has equipped us.

Feel free to glean from the Lyme disease education tab.  Scientific resources have been included.

The evidence is clear.  To study the science, please visit:   http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_slides.html "

Blessings,  Barry and Diana Holtry