Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697630109088.pdf (Australia)
Lyme-Like Illness in Australia 15.1.16 3:18 PM To: community-affairs.sen@aph.gov.au Subject: Lyme-like illness in Australia To Whom It May Concern.

71 years young.

Mob.

I would like my name to be withheld please.

My story is possibly a little different to others so I am starting at the beginning of my snowballing health journey.
Once a strong, athletic, physically fit country girl without illness throughout my life I was aware of several spider, ant and other insect bites, never a tick bite to my knowledge.

In 1997, aged 51 years old I was repeatedly asked to work at a local nursery for aged senile owners.

After twelve months I finally agreed to assist them.

Having lived a very organic lifestyle I now found myself working in a place of haphazard chemical use.
My teenage son found me collapsed on the floor from being sprayed by the senile Proprietor at close range over two days with Roundup.

It took 18 months to find a Doctor that would treat me which was almost too late.
Growing evidence of an emerging tick-borne disease that causes a Lyme like illness for many Australian patientsSubmission 159 Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCF/CFS) another unrecognised illness in this Country, Epstein Barr, Hashimoto’s, 2% genetic damage, total disability, the list of damage was endless to this previously strong active body.

Two years constant bed rest in an almost vegetative state followed.

No compensation, left abandoned by the system to fend for myself.
In December 2002 a 100 year wild bush fire entrapped us in our home.

Thrown from my bed with an inability to move hastily almost cost the lives of immediate family as we faced 1200 degree heat, trapped in our collapsing burnt out home.

We became total loss fire victims, that day, which included our livelihood at almost retirement age.
I was not eligible for a pension for some reason at the time, then eventually I was given approximately $100 a month disability allowance for a short while which was taken from me and partially reimbursed once my husband’s homeland minimal pension became available.

Seriously chronically ill and traumatised by the fires, nine years of PTSD followed.

During that time in 2006 my husband and I decided to take respite, a drive for a bush walk at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, Mona Vale Road, St. Ives.
That day prior to heading home we sat on a timber park bench for a rest.

Something bit me on my left buttock through my jeans.

I thought it may have been a red back spider.

By the time I arrived home I had a massive bull’s eye rash covering my buttock.

With impaired cognitive dysfunction at that time together with lack of awareness I did not consider a Lyme-like illness.
I thought my failing health was due to the effects of a new neighbour that failed to respect my MCS by Roundup spraying his acreage property.

Heavily body burdened, oxygen deprived, I struggled to breath, gagged on food together with many other symptoms.

I acquire a walking stick just to stand.

I was prescribed medical oxygen.

My body was shutting down completely, once again.


Somehow over the following years I managed to get on top of my health supported by my MCS treating Doctor monitoring my pathology which he has done frequently over a 17 year period.

In February 2012 my disrespectful neighbour once again did a massive Roundup spray which had a horrendous impact.

My Doctor monitored my pathology as my health plummeted.
Within months after the spraying I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, both ovaries, which resulted in surgical removal September 2012.

Between diagnosis and surgery, in an attempt to avoid the hospital environment because of the MCS I had started to see a Naturopath.

Whilst the surgical procedure was a great success I was developing severe organ pain, suppressed immunity.

My NP decided to have me Borrelia tested in Sydney by Australian Biologics.

The results came back positive.


It appeared the surgical procedure had activated a previously dormant Lyme infection.

Unable to take prescribed medication my NP started me on homeopathic treatment.

After this initial diagnosis I had reason to attend a local medical centre that I had attended occasionally for minor things over thirty years.

The clinic had made changes to their practice.


A new Doctor reluctant and unlike previous Doctors to come to the surgery’s back door to consult me due to my MCS was handed a copy of my positive Lyme results at the end of our consultation.

Unbeknown my disability driving licence renewal arrived by mail that same day.

I telephoned the surgery for a further appointment to have it completed.
I was told by the receptionist within a couple of hours of handing in my Lyme pathology results ‘there were no appointments available and that no Doctor would see me.’ This is a rural medical centre there have always been appointments available.

I had previously experienced MCS discrimination, this new discrimination was to my mind blatant.
Growing evidence of an emerging tick-borne disease that causes a Lyme like illness for many Australian patientsSubmission 159 I was eventually to learn at age 67 that possibly no Doctor would treat me because of my age which to my mind is inadequate.

In 2015 I had Igenex tests, results came back as inconclusive.

Today I am fortunate to have the support of my MCS treating Doctor whom monitors my suppressed immunity and my NP whom is able to support me with homeopathic drops.
My medical costs are approximately $20,000.00 annually.

Most are not claimable.

I do not get a pension so my 75 year old husband works at a high risk job to support my needs.

How long can this support continue?

Being seriously chronically ill I still don’t consider myself as aged and find it difficult to think what the future may hold for me and the continual burden on my husband.

Estranged friends and family this age are off travelling the world.

I rarely am able to leave my home.


My life is based on avoidance by MCS, having Lyme, the pain and the spiritually destroying symptoms it brings into your life is another thing all together ruining any opportunity to a quality life.

I used to feel well, occasionally sick, now I feel continually sick and on rare brief moments have a glimmer of health.

Too brief in many instances to share precious moments with my dearly loved Grandchildren.

Certainly not the life I had intended.


Being a fifth generation Australian citizen I feel the system has shamefully failed me.

Never a burden on society.

Being total loss, unable to provide financial independence for myself is of huge concern.

I cannot ever see my disabilities being catered for in my lifetime unless rapid change occurs from this enquiry.

I personally think it is inhumane to allow any living being to suffer in this manner.
I know this submission may not be of benefit to me in the long term but I certainly hope it may assist the increasing number of people that have or will develop this horrendous illness.

Everyone is at risk.

I thank you kindly for allowing me to make my story known.

Sincerely Growing evidence of an emerging tick-borne disease that causes a Lyme like illness for many Australian patientsSubmission 159