How the WWP got started and Mission Statement

Worldwide Lyme Disease Awareness Protest

Over twenty countries and several states all to protest on

May 10th & 11th, 2013

1.     Lyme patients from all over the world feel they are being ignored and even being denied treatment for tick borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease, Babesia, Erlichisois, Ricksettia and Bartonella.

2.     Demands are being made for accurate testing, proper treatments, and admittance that Chronic Lyme Disease is real, serious and potentially fatal.

3.     Patients want to know why the IDSA is being used by the CDC for their guidelines in the treatment of Lyme Disease even after Attorney General Blumenthal's investigation found them biased and the guidelines flawed.

4.     Lyme patients are asking that the healthcare community be better educated in order to effectively diagnose and treat patients with Chronic Lyme Disease.

5.     Lyme patients are stating that independent funding for medical research into Lyme Disease testing and treatment are needed.

6.     Several states and over twenty countries will be protesting including: Germany, Austria, Canada, UK, Switzerland, France, US, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Australia, Iceland, Finland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, South Africa, Spain, Romania and the Faroe Islands.

7.     There will be protests, rallies, letter writing campaigns, a phone calling campaign, live petitions and Ribbons Across America.

For more info please visit:

http://worldwidelymediseaseprotestus.blogspot.com/

 Chicago Area Additions 

1.      Focus on educating 80% of people currently suffering  from chronic lyme disease that do not now realize, that is what is wrong with them?  i.e. currently misdiagnosed or suffering in silence because nobody believes them

2.     Note that there are two viewpoints: IDSA and ILADS. We are primarily the fallout from the IDSA guidelines that did not work for us

3.     In parallel have as many Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts involved in Lyme Disease Awareness and Early Prevention. Have them spread the word.

4.     Protest Chicago Tribune for biased article on Chronic Lyme Disease: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-12-08/health/ct-met-chronic-lyme-disease-20101207_1_lyme-disease-raxlen-medical-boards       i.e.  Chronic Lyme Disease does not exist. Get as much media support as possible that is at least open to understanding the opposite view: Chronic Lyme does exist. Chicago Tribune location would be the one place we would get a bit excited and fervent in our message  that we represent  and are those chronically ill Lyme Patients.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. 

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

And here is how this whole thing got started! Thank you Karen Smith from Australia for piecing this together. Worldwide Lyme Protest - How it Started, and Steamrolled... On the 24th Of October 2012 three countries Joined Facebook to spread the word about protesting for Lyme Awareness. These were: Sweden, Denmark and Norway.  The Swedish organiser, Charlotte Therese Björnström, (who has struggled for 25 years with Lyme and other infections) saw the need of thousands of Lyme patients around the world, and had a dream to take the action much further than the Scandinavian borders. From this "grass roots" idea, the Worldwide Protest Main Facebook Page was developed on the 31st of October, 2012 in order to connect people from all over the world.  From Charlotte's intial idea, representatives from countries all around the world have joined in, with the United States representative, Lisa Hilton and the Australian representative, Karen Smith, joining to help Charlotte Therese Björnström ensure her vision was fufilled, with the development of the international website, and helping to keep up to date with all country representatives and events. All representives and country co-ordinators have worked together tirelessly over the last few months to ensure that this event achieves its purpose: To highlight the fact that there are thousands of people all around the world that are calling for recogniton that Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are serious illnesses.  Countries participating:  International Representatives and additional Country Information  Ie: Associated Websites, Events Planned Listed:  This section will be updated with further information regarding is countries events when available Click on the Country to go to the associated Facebook Page Australia Karen Smith Website: http://worldwidelymeprotestaustralia.weebly.com/index.html Austria Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details Brazil Contact Countries Facebook for Co-ordinator details Canada Marlene Ziehl Spies Croatia Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details Denmark Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details Faroe Islands: Co-ordinator had to step down due Health– Looking for another Country Co-ordinator ; please contact the WWLP Parent Page Finland Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details France: Co-ordinator had to step down due Health; Looking for another Country Co-ordinator ; please contact the WWLP Parent Page Germany Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details Hungary Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator detailsIceland Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details Ireland Jenny O'Dea Netherlands Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details Norway Maj-Britt Marie Grevstad Poland Contact Countries Facebook page for Co-ordinator details Romania Ixodes Ricinus (profile/tag) South Africa LymeSouthAfrica (profile/tag) Spain WLmep Spain (profile/tag) Sweden Charlotte Therese Björnström Switzerland: Co-ordinator had to step down due Health– Looking for another Country Co-ordinator ; please contact the WWLP Parent Page  United Kingdom Nicola Seal Website: http://worldwide-lyme-protest.org.uk/ United States Lisa Hilton Website: http://worldwidelymediseaseprotestus.blogspot.com/