I’m sure I’m not the only person in the Northeast who owns pets and cringes at the discovery of the first tick of the spring season. I’ve been finding them on the animals in droves already. It makes me despair a bit because I know too much about the nasty stuff those ticks might be carrying. It is sad to acknowledge, but my enjoyment in being outdoors during certain times of the year has definitely lessened. Hiking is one of my favorite pastimes, but once the weather warms I become less eager to head into the woods. 

      It’s hard to walk down the street (or a hiking trail) in our area without bumping into someone who has dealt with tick-borne disease, whether it was a personal illness or they cared for someone else. We’ve all been touched by Lyme disease, or know someone who has. Of all the topics we have covered in the magazine over the years, Lyme disease is by far the one I am asked about most. People ask at events for copies of long-ago issues with Lyme-related articles. They call, text or email me asking for recommendations and referrals of places to go and practitioners to see. No matter their specific circumstances, their driving need for better information and increased options for feeling better is palpable.

This is why we have once again devoted a spring edition to Lyme disease and related infections, timed to coincide with the increase of outdoor activities and likely exposure to ticks and their scourges. In Western Connecticut, we are fortunate indeed to have many skilled Lyme-literate practitioners of varying specialties. We asked several of them to weigh in this month on different aspects of healing. As you will read, it is possible to heal and recover from Lyme disease and its co-infections, but the process is not what conventional medicine would have us believe. We asked several other local practitioners to share details about novel and effective treatments for Lyme disease they discovered during their own healing journeys.

There are two powerhouse Lyme education conferences in the Northeast over the next two months; the first is in Augusta, Maine, at the end of this month while the second is in Danbury in mid-May. Both events provide incomparable opportunities to learn, share and be inspired about the potential for recovery from Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Speaking of great events, Earth Day is April 22 and in honor of our planet, there are many fun celebrations planned all over the area this month. We will be at some of these and look forward to seeing you there!

With love and light,