This is so saddening I can't believe it. I just got to meet Leslie at the recent conference, but everyone
in the Lyme community has been touched by her- she was the woman in Under Our Skin, in the movie,
who during the memorial service spoke eloquently saying, "I'm angry because-" That was Leslie Wermers.
She was a lovely human being, and her sister Tracie is a Lyme activist as well and will keep up the fight
on her behalf, but the Lyme community has lost a great, great person, a truly lovely Lyme activist. I just
knew her for the duration of the recent conference but she was warm, funny, delightful- a great person.
With deep sadness,
Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
People with Lyme: North Iowa native, Story City woman advocate for Lyme disease victims
North Iowa native, Story City woman advocate for Lyme disease victims Globe Gazette, Mason City, IA By KRISTIN BUEHNER, [email protected]
Both Tracie Schissel, a native of Burt now living in Brainerd, Minn., and Judith Weeg, of Story City, are advocates for Lyme disease patients in Iowa and Minnesota -- and both have both been diagnosed with the disease.
Schissel and her sister, Leslie Wermers, of Bloomington, Minn., have established a Lyme disease advocacy group, lymefighters.org, a non-profit organization with a Web site.
Their father, Bill Wermers of Burt, also has been infected. All three were infected in the Brainerd area, Tracie said.
They believe the disease is ``grossly under-reported.''
Leslie, who developed a bulls-eye rash, is just beginning treatment.
Tracie was bitten by an infected tick in about 1990 and again in 2005. She did not develop the tell-tale bulls-eye rash either time.
She felt the second tick bite, which was painful, and developed a rash all over her torso, knee and foot as a result.
``It's the most misdiagnosed, most misunderstood, most mistreated disease on the planet,'' said Schissel, 41. ``The fatigue is so debilitating.''
Leslie, who is 40, has multiple brain lesions as well as lesions on the spine, liver and lungs. ``The pain is dreadful,'' said Tracie. ``She is very, very sick.''
Within a month and a half of being bitten, Leslie could not get out of bed. She suffers from arthritic and muscle pain.
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i am so very sorry.....lyme disease must be taken seriously....
when will they realize it kills....
but maybe they don't care...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Yes, it is devastating. We had a lengthy conversation at the memorial service and talked since on the phone. She is the one who is holding the picture of Geri. Leslie was a devoted Lyme disease advocate and was dedicated to helping others. She was originally from Iowa.
She will be greatly missed. I received the call about her passing yesterday during the time I was viewing the UOS screening in Ames, Iowa yesterday. I felt as if she were speaking to me through the screen. I cried. I did not want to post anything here until word had been released.
Tracie and families, Judy, we love you and are praying for your comfort during this difficult time.
-------------------- **Eat Chocolate** Posts: 942 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
i just received this also from pj langhoff, wisc.
Hi Betty,
Just FYI in case you had not yet heard.
Leslie Wermers, the activist from MN (Minnesota Lyme Fighters) passed away in her sleep the evening of 11/1.
She was at Iowa's lyme memorial last year too.
For those who wish to send a card or a donation to her memorial fund, visit www.lymefighters.org
My new book 3 is coming out in just weeks, stay tuned. Hope you are well. PJ Langhoff
************
so sad; leslie was just 40 !! my heart goes out to her family in their deep loss.
wow, the conference was just 2-3 wks ago!
did leslie post on here, and what was her nickname??
i know we have a firefighter name of a woman, but can't remember any more than that.
Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
This is very sad news. Leslie was a wonderful, caring woman and she will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to her family and friends.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Thank you for letting us know how she died. I was wondering about that.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Man this is sad!
So sad
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553
posted
That is just terrible
And gives me the resolve to get my arse back into treatment...again...as soon as possible
It's terrible when you just cannot afford treatment. You can't work cause you are too ill and w/e little money you having coming in you have to use to put a roof over your child's head and food in his mouth. I really hope something better is done with health care for us in the states
Posts: 1485 | From USA | Registered: Apr 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
andy sent all of us on his mailing list his personal memorial to leslie; i watched her touching video in jewell, iowa, and read everything about her.
she talks about dying at the end of her interview...
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