Episode 497: 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

• 🔗 Follow the latest ILADS updates at ILADS.org
• 🔗 Learn more about Lyme Warrior: LymeWarrior.us
• 🔗 Stay connected with Tick Boot Camp: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter (X)