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Heather Holtry looks like any other young woman. She loves dancing and designing clothes, but she struggles with many daily activities - even getting dressed - because of severe joint and muscle pain.
"It's not just the pain. It's the dizziness, the light-headed floaters, you see little spots," she said.
Heather, 17, was born with a compromised immune system. As a youngster she was often sick and nearly went blind because of her reaction to antibiotics. After years of unexplained illnesses and doctors visits, Heather was diagnosed with Lyme Disesase.
"Why didn't I know? What could I have done differently?" said Heather's mother, Diana Holtry. "We listened to everything they told us to do. We followed convention and it got missed."
While her parents don't know for sure how Heather got the deisease, they say there are two possible answers: either Heather received a tick bite or she got the disease before birth. They say they never spotted the trademark "bullseye" rash associated with Lyme Disease.
As advocates of education and early detection, the Holtrys now reach out to parents who are living through the uncertain time they did. "We don't play doctor. What we can do is help folks legitimately rule it in and rule it out by referring them to those places that can be appropriately be diagnosed and tested," Diana Holtry said.
Heather is also helping others. She's designed several gowns for auction on eBay. All proceeds will go to Lyme Disease research.
"Anything that can be done to help move us forward in research so that other teens other adults don't have to go through the pain and suffering that I have," said Heather.
The Holtrys say their faith has given them the strength to fight the disease and the power to stay positive during trying times.
Please click the following links for more information about Lyme Disease and Heather Holtry.
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