Skydive for Lyme Disease UK!

Why are we jumping out of a plane! – Struan and I both have a vested interest in this subject as I was infected with Lyme disease at the age of 14 through the bite of an infected tick. By the time I was 16, I was reduced to being housebound and bedbound for eight years. Sadly, like many others, I was wrongly diagnosed multiple times and as a result my Lyme disease was left to run rampant throughout my body for a number of years – eroding my physical and mental strength until I was left dependant on my family for my very basic needs. I quickly went from being an exuberant teenager who hiked up mountains, ran, cycled ten miles every day, rode horses, attended school, worked and was going to university to someone who struggled just to walk. I have endured nine years of treatment to regain the life I now have and even 12 years on, from when I was first infected, my life is still completely dominated by this disease but as my health continues to return to me, I thought, seeing as having Lyme hasn’t brought me enough brushes with death…why not jump out of a plane to raise awareness for it! I want to do all that I can to try and prevent other people from enduring what I and my family have been through and continue to go through. Thousands of people, like I was, have been left to scream silently with a voice stolen by this disease and we’d be inexplicably honoured to have your support to help us be heard.

Who are we – My name is Morven-May MacCallum and the author of Finding Joy – which is the story of a family’s fight against Lyme disease – which is thought to be the most complex bacteria known to man. I am also a volunteer member of Lyme Disease UK and Lyme disease campaigner, advocate and patient. I have dedicated what health I’ve regained to raise awareness for Lyme disease by giving talks in schools, festivals, literary and charity events. And my brave friend Struan Mackenzie, a skilled plumber, has madly agreed to jump out of a plane with me – personally I think he’s hit his head on too many pipes and that’s why he said yes. I’m blaming having Lyme brain for my participation in these terrifying antics!

Warning…getting to the serious stuff. What is Lyme disease – Lyme disease is a bacterium which can be spread from a tick bite. Ticks can be found anywhere and at any time of year but are most active during the spring and summer months. Ticks can also carry co-infections – meaning that they can spread more than one disease at a time.They can be as small as poppy seeds and enlarge as they feed on their host. Ticks even have an anaesthetic in their Saliva – meaning that you can’t always feel them biting you. Not only can humans be infected but so can your beloved pets.

Why should this be important to you? Lyme is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the northern hemisphere. Lyme disease has been increasing in Europe at 14% a year for the last 20 years, faster than AIDS, Malaria and Measles (SOURCE: World Health Organisation) yet people are still unaware of the danger potentially lurking in their garden. Sadly, most people are still unaware of how to remove a tick safely (as doing so incorrectly can increase your chances of getting Lyme), how to prevent a tick bite, how to spot the early symptoms and or what kind of treatment they should get and how long they should get it for (which frighteningly many Doctors are also ignorant of). Lyme Disease UK, who will be receiving the funds from our Skydive, devote their time to campaign for better testing, research, along with public and medical awareness of Lyme disease.

We would be so delighted by any support that you might be able to extend us by sharing our page to your social media or even a wee donation and we’d be delighted to share your support back.

Thank you, Morven-May MacCallum and Struan Mackenzie.

I can't express how grateful I am for all the donations you have generously given - thank you so very much. Struan has sadly had to pull out of doing the jump but I'm even more excited (and, can't lie, petrified) for the dive....there's nothing like doing a skydive alone to add a little extra challenge!