Written By: Melissa Nejbauer

Writing this story was a lot harder than expected.  I tear up with sadness as well as happiness as I think back to why TEAM LYME was started.  I hope people feel empowered by my story.  Not everything can be fixed and not every disease can be cured, but there is a way to reframe, keep a positive attitude and still feel accomplished...never defeated.  I don't have the cure for long-term lyme disease, but I have the determination and charge to work towards my goal so no other child will have to suffer with Lyme the way my sister Chelsea has. 

In 2006, I had just finished college and a couple of friends and I decided to participate in the Dewey Beach sprint triathlon.  I didn't know how to swim competitively, and I was very hesitant about purchasing a bike that was worth more than my car!  Nevertheless, I continued to train and train and train.  The day of the event came. I remember looking at the bouies in the ocean with pure shook, thinking to myself "how am I going to swim that far?!"  The start gun went off and I moved!  I crossed with the finish line with a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and the thought of "I can't wait to do another!”   

During the same summer, my little sister Chelsea was very sick.  She was enduring her ninth year suffering with chronic Lyme Disease.  When she was four years old, Chelsea suffered for months before she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and because she was so young, the proper antibiotics were never prescribed.  Achy joints, undying fatigue and tremendous headaches kept her in bed for weeks at a time.  Through all of her treatments, it seemed nothing would kick the Lyme co-infections out of Chelsea’s little body.  Like a second language, Chelsea can rattle off the eleven different antibiotics she has been treated with over the past nine years, she can successfully hook-up an IV to herself, and has visited more doctors offices than some will in their entire lives.  ….and she is only 14!   

Watching my little sister suffer everyday was excruciating.  I decided that if I am going to do another triathlon, I might-as-well race AND raise money for prevention of Lyme so no other child has to suffer like Chelsea.  At the time, I kind of knew how to create a website…but I knew I could teach myself.  I kind of knew how to compete in triathlons… if I would train hard.  All I definitely KNEW was that something had to be done about this horrible disease…I can do that!  So, I recruited some friends and we started TEAM LYME.  Since last March, TEAM LYME has raised over $5,000 for Lyme Disease education and prevention in Chester County and beyond.  We now have members spreading from the east coast to the mid west.  They are ages 8 through 80 and they compete in 1 mile walks and full ironman triathlons and everything in between. 

25% of Lyme cases are in children, however, they are misdiagnosed most often.  TEAM LYME’s mission is to educate parents and children about Lyme Disease so no child has to suffer like Chelsea.  Lyme Disease is preventable and early detection and early treatment can alleviate chronic Lyme completely.  I am dedicated to being a Rhino, charging at my goals and living the Give, Love, Serve philosophy of Rhino Living! 

TEAM LYME is my passion and is something I am truly proud of!  The accomplishment I feel is far more than the feeling of crossing a finish line after a triathlon.  The best part is I’ve only just begun!  My future goals are tacked on my refrigerator at home; Lyme Disease awareness posters are posted at our local parks; educational coloring books are distributed to children….. and the most AUDACIOUS goal is a TEAM LYME 5k run in May 2010!  Until Lyme Disease is no more, TEAM LYME will be here—in our signature lime green t-shirts—spreading the word and educating about Lyme Disease!  

GIVE. LOVE. SERVE. GO TEAM LYME! 

Become the newest member of TEAM LYME!  Everyone is welcome; no matter you age, location or fitness level.  Learn more and sign up for TEAM LYME today!  Stay informed about Lyme Disease, events TEAM LYME members are participating in, and more by signing up for the TEAM LYME monthly e-newsletter.  You can also help us grow TEAM LYME and our educational efforts by donating to TEAM LYME on our donate page.

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