*Originally posted 5/29/14*
I first met Cassidy when she was a baby, when I became friends with her older sister. Over the years, she's become like a little sister to me. I have many, many memories of a loud, lively, smiling Cassidy running around and making her voice heard, from her toddler days, to elementary school, to her teenage years.
That's why it was so shocking to see the toll that Lyme took on Cassidy's body. The girl I knew to for her endless energy was often in pain so severe that she had to miss out on the fun things she loves. She had to quit playing volleyball and softball on the high school teams, and she completely changed her diet in hopes that she would feel better. Some days she couldn't even get out of bed for her favorite activities.
I couldn't imagine the pain she was experiencing. Even more so, I couldn't imagine how it feels to suffer from a disease that so many people fail or refuse to understand.
But even though Cass had to stop running around so much, she didn't stop making her voice heard. Despite her pain, she has fought back against her disease. She has done everything in her power to teach the world that chronic Lyme is a serious disease, and that it needs to be better recognized and treated.
Cassidy is finally starting to see some improvements in her symptoms, and I know everyone who loves her is wishing hard that she will be free of Lyme symptoms. I've learned so much from Cass, and I know that thanks to her voice, the world is one step closer to improving the fate of those who suffer from Lyme.
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