Submitted by Alicia Rusch, Saginaw, MI
Forty pounds later and only able to walk and do mild work outs with my pilate ball, Lyme Disease has taught this once athletic outdoor and spontaneous adventure enthusiast a great deal about patience and appreciation for even the smallest blessings.
It’s been over 5 years since the debilitating arthritis suddenly consumed my body. Once an avid runner, backpacker, remote camper, kayaker and mount biker, chronic stage Lyme Disease and the debilitating arthritis that comes with it have destroyed the ability for me to do the rugged outdoor things I used to love. Less than one year prior to the onset of my illness I ran a 40 mile outdoor adventure race. Today, I’m lucky to be able to walk at all. Lyme Disease has taken my once sleek physique, packed on an additional 40 pounds and given me pain on a daily basis.
I’ve learned a great deal about ego throughout all of these changes and despite my struggles, am grateful for the lessons I have learned from this disease. Unlike many who suffer from Lyme I’m very fortunate to be one who is slowly recovering. I am blessed to have the fabulous support of my family and my friends who prior to my illness, knew little about Lyme Disease. Challenge isn’t always about the race to the finish line. Today, I have a much different outlook on my life and the world. Whoever wrote the saying, “Live leach day like it’s your last” was a wise person. Days when I can open a bottle of ketchup without asking for help, or carry a light basket of laundry on my own are major accomplishments for me. I do believe that my former self, the person who raced and challenged her body and her mind to win the race has contributed to my ability to deal with the challenges of this disease in a positive way.
It hasn’t been easy and the race isn’t over yet. I may or may not finish when I want to, and I may stumble a few times. None of that matters. As long as I put one foot in front of the other, no matter the pace, no matter how much time is left on the clock, I am still moving forward and life is great.
