Over an year ago I became a contributor to THE MIGHTY, meaning they accepted to publish on their website some of my Lyme related articles. They offered me the exposure I needed to voice my story and raise more awareness for Lyme disease.
Thanks to them, some of my articles were featured on Yahoo and Huffington Post. I couldn't have reached a wider audience on my own. In addition, they added a direct link to my A-ZLYME.COM on each of my stories that they published. That little link they added, helped me increase the traffic to my website and have it rank higher on the Google search, which made it more accessible to other people.
What did I get from joining The Mighty community? More than I could have ever asked for. I got an incredible exposure for my Lyme disease awareness campaign and a supportive community that helped me move forward with my struggles. They made me see that I was not alone. I also got a lovely t-shirt that I proudly wear. It's the one in the photo below.
On The Mighty's platform, I connected with contributors and readers. Some of them were touched by different illnesses while others were simply looking for answers. What they had in common was the need for support. The Migthy offered just that: a digital health community that aimed to empower and connect people struggling with health challenges and disabilities.
Among the replies I got for my articles, I remember one from a Lyme-sufferer, a women from the states. She wrote to me, thanking me for voicing her cause and giving her hope for better days. Until that moment, I hadn't fully grasped the impact my articles had on other Lyme sufferers, as I was more focused on preaching how to prevent Lyme or explaining others what it entailed to live with Lyme.
Her message made me understand that I needed it to open up and talk more about my personal experience with Lyme, which I did and continue to do. Otherwise how can one expect the rest of the world to know how it feels to live with an invisible illness, if he doesn't talk about it? How can others know what he feels if he doesn't share his struggle? Not everyone has the ability to read minds!
One year down the road and I still get asked why do I write for free about Lyme, or why do I refuse to put adds or monetize the website. My answer will always be the same: "Not everything is about the money!" When I created A-ZLYME I wanted it to address all possible questions related to Lyme, from A to Z, hence A-ZLYME.
It was designed to help those looking for information about Lyme disease and make their search easier by having all the data in one place. I know by experience it ain't easy nor pleasant to spend long hours looking for information online while fighting brain fog and experiencing neurological symptoms of Lyme.
I might not have an answer for how to get rid of Lyme, but I learnt how to cope with it. I know that building mental strength helps the body perform at its peak which is key for living a happier life.
If you are struggling with a chronic illness or you have any health issues that you'd like to talk about with someone, you may want to have a look at THE MIGHTY and consider joining them.
Here are other Lyme-related posts:
THE WORST 40 MINUTES IN MY WHOLE LIFE
LYME DISEASE COMES WITH CO-INFECTIONS
CHRONIC LYME DISEASE IS A REAL THING
TOP 10 WORST SYMPTOMS OF LYME DISEASE
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LYME DISEASE?
WHY IS LYME DISEASE TOUGH TO DIAGNOSE?
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST TICK BITES?
JOURNEY TO SELF-DISCOVERY
HOW I FOUND THE SILVER LINING OF LYME DISEASE
9 WAYS TO KEEP A RELATIONSHIP GOING WHEN BOTH PARTNERS ARE ILL
All of the above posts were written by me, as part of my Lyme Disease awareness campaign. They were originally published on my personal website A-ZLYME.COM .
If you would like to learn more about Lyme disease, visit A-ZLYME.COM. On my A-Z Lyme blog, I post weekly Lyme-related articles which I might re-post on Steemit, in order to increase the awareness about this infamous illness.
Please leave your feedback in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts!
@lymepoet,
Hi Lavi. Great article.
You are a tigress and I can definitely understand how you inspire others. Hell, you inspire me.
Keep up the good work.
Quill
Thanks, Quill for always backing me up on my Lyme awareness campaign. Appreciated ;0)
@lymepoet,
There's no greater cause.
Quill
I had never heard of them, but sounds a great site doing a lot of good
They don't cure people but they offer people the chance to voice their struggle on their platform and share it with the world. Also people connect just like here and support each other.
what they do is very special and truly needed
Really your stuff is great to read. I never understood this disease but you have showed me a lot. I am not sure I will ever face this or not but I am much better prepared.
I am glad to hear that my awareness campaign it is reaching its goals. Thank you for the read!
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i never knew of this disease before until you discussed it here at steemit, and thank you for that. It raise awareness in me. You deserved to be acknowledge and be featured. Congratulations and a big hand to you my friend.
X
Thank you! Prevention is key when it comes to Lyme, as this disease is spread out all over the world and unfortunately doctors are not prepared to recognize it in its initial stage which leads to a lot of people going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Thank you! Prevention is key when it comes to Lyme, as this disease is spread out all over the world and unfortunately doctors are not prepared to recognize it in its initial stage which leads to a lot of people going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
You have given me something to look into. I don't know much about this illness but no better time to educate myself and no better way than through your website. I do understand the importance of having a good website that can help people out there with these struggles and the fact that you did has made many people be filled with gratitude and joy to find answers and connections. I myself have looked through the internet for something else and find it quite hard to find solid information and look to connect with people of the same.
I am thankful that you are able to do that with and for people. <3
Congratulations! This post has been chosen as one of the daily Whistle Stops for The STEEM Engine!
You can see your post's place along the track here: The Daily Whistle Stops, Issue 315 (11/17/18)