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Episode 497: LIVE from ILADS: Sharon & Mara Ibanez - Lyme Warrior's Mission to Support Patients

Author
Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen
Published
Thu 17 Apr 2025
Episode Link
http://podcast.TickBootCamp.com/episode/942a46fb/live-from-ilads-sharon-mara-ibanez-lyme-warrior-s-mission-to-support-patients

Introduction



  • Tick Boot Camp Podcast goes LIVE from the ILADS Conference with Sharon Ibanez and her daughter Mara, representatives of Lyme Warrior, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for Lyme disease patients.

  • Sharon and Mara share their personal experiences with Lyme disease and discuss how Lyme Warrior is making a difference in the patient community.


Lyme Warrior’s Mission at ILADS



  • Sharon and Mara attend the ILADS conference to build relationships with doctors and healthcare practitioners to improve patient care.

  • Their goal is to foster better communication and collaboration between Lyme patients and providers.


Mara’s Lyme Disease Journey



  • Diagnosed with Lyme disease at a young age, Mara shares how it affected her physically and emotionally.

  • She reflects on how an earlier diagnosis could have prevented years of suffering and isolation.


Sharon’s Battle with Lyme Disease



  • Sharon recounts her decades-long struggle with misdiagnoses before finally testing positive for Lyme.

  • Symptoms such as chronic migraines, weight loss, and extreme fatigue impacted her daily life.


The Challenges of Being a Lyme Parent and Patient



  • Sharon opens up about the difficulty of managing her illness while being a mother.

  • She emphasizes how understanding that Lyme—not her children—was causing her suffering changed her perspective.


Lyme Warrior’s Impact: Smile Boxes and Volunteer Work



  • Sharon shares how receiving a Smile Box from Lyme Warrior was a turning point in her healing journey.

  • Mara highlights the emotional impact of these care packages, which help Lyme patients feel seen and supported.


How to Support Lyme Warrior



  • Sharon discusses ways to donate, volunteer, or sponsor a Smile Box to help Lyme patients in need.

  • The organization relies on community support to continue making a difference.


Resources & Links


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