Welcome to Your Lyme Support & Information Group

Our support and information group is based in Berryville, VA and serves the surrounding counties of Clarke, Warren, and Frederick; all are welcome at meetings however.  Quarterly meetings are held on the 4th Saturday of each quarterly month ( November, February, May & August)  from 2-4 p.m. (usually) at the Bowman Library, 871 Tasker Rd, Stephens City, VA 22655. Topics and guest speakers vary by quarter.  There's an option to come to meetings at 1 p.m. for free Tai Chi, taught by Adrian VanKeuren, a certified Tai Chi Instructor. Adrian is also now a Reiki Master practitioner, available for appointments. The social meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Fellowship of the Sip Tea House, 33 S Loudoun St, Winchester, VA 22601 from 1-3pm.  Check back from time to time to this website or the Facebook page for cancellations or changes.
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Lyme Alive was founded in 2011 by long-time Lyme disease advocate Lucy Miller, and continues to this day in her honor and memory under the leadership of Adrian VanKeuren.  Adrian VanKeuren had her own 10 year battle with Lyme disease, and has been advocating and raising awareness of lyme for the last 6 years.  As her health has improved in recent years, Adrian has stepped up her advocacy efforts.  Her goal is to raise awareness of Lyme disease and related co-infections, to teach people how to avoid getting tick-borne diseases, and to bring together those already suffering to share support and information.

In Tribute -Lucy Miller, Founder

Adrian VanKeuren - Group Facilitator

Science and medicine still have a way to go to  understand the issues a person with Lyme has. May they move much faster toward a cure."

 Tools You Need to Prevent Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an infection most commonly transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick.  Different ticks can also transmit a variety of other pathogens, commonly referred to as “co-infections”.  Diseases common to our area include babesia, bartonella, alpha-gal, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasma; other co-infections include diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, mycoplasma, Powassan virus, parasites, tick paralysis, relapsing fever, tularemia, and Q fever.
 
Your best defense against lyme and other tick-borne diseases is to ALWAYS WEAR BUG PREVENTIVE of your choice, every single time you leave your home.  It's equally important to protect pets from ticks, otherwise they bring ticks into the home.  Rodents and other small mammals must also be kept out of the home, for the same reason.  Second best defense is a DAILY, COMPRENHSIVE TICK CHECK – do a tick check and shower within 20 minutes of coming indoors to remove ticks crawling on you. 
 
If you do find an attached tick on you, REMOVE IT PROMPTLY, BUT SAFELY. There is only ONE safe removal method!  That method is to grasp the tick right behind its mouthpiece with a pair of sharp-nosed tweezers, and pull the tick straight up and away.  Make sure ALL of the tick is removed.  Save the tick so it can be tested for pathogens if you so choose.  Treat the bite-site with an antiseptic of your choice, and consider seeking medical treatment.  Watch the bite-site closely for signs of rash.
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Lyme Alive Disclaimer:
Lyme Alive does NOT endorse or recommend any treatment plans or specific doctors, but recognizes everyone has their own treatment path to follow.  We strive to offer support and understanding to those newly diagnosed, those that have been suffering for years, and those seeking information on preventing Lyme disease and related co-infections. 

Adrian VanKeuren - Member

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