My name is Seth Antoch, and my life was almost ruined by something I hadn't heard or known a lot about, Lyme disease. I'm much better now, however, I'm not fully better. I'm also not done fighting, and even though I'm fighting the next battle now, I feel like I've already won the war. Lyme disease is a scary thing, and it's hard to spot for most people because they don't know the signs that distinct Lyme from other diseases. After a year of misdiagnoses, accusations, disbelief, and court battles, I was finally diagnosed with Lyme, Babesiosis, and Bartonella by Dr. Charles Ray Jones. I was unable to attend school for an entire year, and my diagnosis did not change the accusations that I was an avoidant, defiant teenager. I saw countless specialists and mental health counselors, one of whom accused my mother of abuse for keeping me out of school. I have since been recovering steadily, completed the missed school with straight A's, and attend a wonderful independent high school about to enter my senior year. I am stunned by the lack of education and information my family and I faced with this illness. I am determined to educate medical and educational professionals about my experience- which did not present itself with the usual Lyme symptoms- and the devastating effects of not listening to students and patients when they try to explain their symptoms. My mother is a teacher who has since recognized students who presented their symptoms like me, and was able to help other families get help for their children who were being mislabeled, as well. It is important to speak out, share our story, and change the stigma, increase awareness, and open minds.
Click on 'about' to learn more about Lyme and what some effects of Lyme are and some ways you could spot Lyme before it gets serious.
Click on 'resources' to learn more about Lyme and how you can help yourself, your family, friends, and/or many, many others around the world.
Click on 'about' to learn more about Lyme and what some effects of Lyme are and some ways you could spot Lyme before it gets serious.
Click on 'resources' to learn more about Lyme and how you can help yourself, your family, friends, and/or many, many others around the world.