ABOUT LYME DISEASE

There are a variety of tick-borne infections, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. (Vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread pathogens.) Tick-borne infections are illnesses transmitted to humans who are bitten by an infected tick. The tick that transmits Lyme Disease can occasionally transmit other tick-borne diseases too.

The CDC cites a recently released estimate based on insurance records that suggests approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme Disease each year. In addition to these alarmingly high numbers, the areas where Lyme Disease is common are expanding. The CDC points out that if left untreated, infection transmitted by an infected tick can become increasingly more serious as it spreads to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. 

Unfortunately, after many misdiagnoses (tickborne infection symptoms can mimic many other disorders) I was finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease and Babesiosis years after I had been bitten. Because of that delay, the many medications, IV administrations, and other treatments tried have not helped me and my symptoms have continued to get worse. I am part of the small percentage of people fighting tick-borne infections who are in what is called “post-treatment Lyme”. 

My name is Andrea Marie. I am the creator and developer of Beauty & the Brave but I am also a survivor of these two tick-borne infections. The idea of an online store was conceived after the resulting severe symptoms began to prevent me from attending high school. (I will be forever grateful to my school for allowing me to continue online and graduate with my high school class.) By then I was physically unable to attend college, get a job, or even volunteer. Beauty & the Brave became my reason to survive. 

I have learned so much over the years about tick-borne illnesses. This resource page is designed to help our customers learn more about these invisible illnesses and perhaps find support if they or a friend or loved one has been infected. I will provide additional information regularly but want to begin by including the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Resource Center which has been most helpful to me as I fight these insidious, life-altering infections. I am also including links from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which is continually gathering data and providing information about tick-borne infections.