Ben Stiller Archives - Sherri Connell

I got Lyme at the age of 14, from a tick bite. I immediately started having chronic headaches and infections. At 19, I started having balance issues and paralysis. By 27, I was paralyzed from the ribs down and so sick I could hardly move.

Decades and countless treatments later, I am still unable to care for my own daily, survival needs and am literally fighting for my life! Read the rest of my Lyme Story.

Did you know that many celebrities have battled Lyme Disease? For example, Avril Lavigne, Richard Gere, Debbie Gibson, Daryl Hall, Yolanda Foster, Ben Stiller, Parker Posey, Karen Allen, Jane Alexander, George W. Bush, Candice Accola, Ashely Olsen and more.

Gere said,

This is one scary disease. I felt as though every ounce of strength had gone from my body… Just turning my head to see the time on the clock was a major operation. I felt as if my life was going in slow motion (18 Celebrities…).

Hall said,

“It can make you wanna die if you’re not dead.” He has also said that the lack of widespread recognition of the severity of chronic Lyme (as opposed to just acute Lyme) is “almost a bad joke” to anyone who actually suffers from it (18 Celebrities…)

I want to bring awareness to Lyme and other debilitating conditions, so that others will not have to suffer the lifelong battles that I have had to endure nearly my entire life by receiving proper treatment early. I also want to bring encouragement and tips!

Keep fighting!
There are tons of mainstream and alternative treatments out there that are helping people with early to late-stage Lyme.
Clean up your diets! Many foods cause inflammation and/or feed the Lyme.
Clean up your environment! Rid your homes and bodies of chemicals that attack the nervous and immune systems (paints, stains, new carpets, cleaning products, air fresheners, smoke, perfume, chemically fragranced laundry, personal products, etc).
Create a support system (meet others living with similar challenges, see a counselor if needed, find a Lyme Literate Doctor).
Find a passion that gives you joy and feelings of accomplishment.
Focus on daily blessings and achievements, no matter how small.
Try to stay positive, because our attitudes impact our immune system.
Reach out to others with validation, a listening ear and compassion.
Don’t let go of who you are.
Know that you are valuable, worthwhile and have purpose no matter how limited you are.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
BELIEVE in yourself!