Roscommon’s civic space to go green to raise Lyme disease awareness
The civic space in Roscommon town which will be lit up in green on Saturday to raise awareness of Lyme disease
Lyme disease can be a debilitating illness caused by a tick bite and to raise awareness of this condition the civic space at the Market Square in Roscommon will be lit up in green on Saturday, May 23rd, as part of Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
The month of May has been dedicated to the 'Light Up For Lyme' awareness campaign, shining a light on Lyme disease and tick awareness to help keep communities safe and well.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of an infected tick. It is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in Northern Europe and with global warming tick populations are increasing.
Strokestown woman Jennifer Beirne (39) has been suffering symptoms of the illness since her early 20s. She believes that she may have been bitten by a tick while a child but her symptoms did not develop for many years. While a final year student in Trinity and studying for her final exams she began to suffer symptoms, which had a huge impact on her life. She returned home due to her ill health but as years went on her illness became much worse.
Despite numerous visits to doctors and consultants she was unable to get a diagnosis. She had numerous physical conditions along with brain fog, adding that she felt like her “brain was on fire.” She experienced severe neck pain, stiff glands, a persistent sore throat and unbelievable pain throughout her body.
She underwent a battery of tests, one of which was actually for Lyme disease, all of which were negative. However, her conditions worsened and it wasn’t until she made contact with Professor Jack Lambert, a consultant in infectious diseases in Dublin, that she got some answers.
A specialised blood test that had to be carried out in Germany and her chronic symptoms finally gave her a diagnosis of Lyme disease.
Jennifer said the illness can be very hard to diagnose and that is why she is now reaching out to her community and the people of Roscommon to raise awareness. People, she said, may have symptoms but would have no idea it is Lyme disease. The symptoms can be changeable but she advised that if anyone is unsure there are numerous resources available which might give them some answers.
The lighting up of the civic space in Roscommon this weekend by Roscommon County Council underlines what she and other sufferers are trying to do to get the message out about being tick aware. She said that awareness is the best defence against the disease adding that during this time of year people can be especially vulnerable. She added having this awareness of the natural environment is no different than being sun smart and water safe.
More information on the disease, symptoms and supports is available at www.ticktalkireland.org or www.lymeresourcecentre.com You can learn how to protect yourself and your family, how to prevent tick bites, and what to do if you get bitten at: https://youtu.be/26IZmBQjS8o?si=9Slc19LsOdcrUEr
