Worldwide Lyme Protest Awareness Video's
Awareness video's for the Worldwide Lyme Protest came in assorted forms. Several were made by the various countries International Representatives, some focused on patient information/pictures, while others were of the numerous protests around the world.
* See opposite for the video from Australian Representative / National Co-ordinator Karen Smith (which also contains an explanation of the research that the denial of Lyme is based on in Australia). To see awareness video's from other country representatives go to : Global Lyme & Invisible Illness Organisation: Awareness Video's section * See below for the explanation as to how the Worldwide Lyme Protest patient video concept began, and how Janice Foster (National Co-ordinator) from Australia expanded on this idea and together with her husband, Ryan, produced the touching Australian patient video's that helped to encourage many other countries around the world to do the same. |
You tube below: From Karen - "The video was originally made to explain why I advocate for Lyme recognition and awareness and signed Australia up to be involved in the Worldwide Lyme Awareness Protest. The information provided also covers the flaws in the Australian governments 1994 research that denies the existence of Lyme disease in Australia". To see more on the counter-argument to the research click here
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How the Worldwide Patient Video's began:
In February, Minnesota teenager , Jessica Elizabeth suggested telling - or rather "showing" the Lyme story through pictures and video's. Jessica wrote: "I think we should flood the internet with not only facts about Lyme but who we are... everyone calls Lyme an 'invisible illness' but we aren't invisible. A video of photos of you or loved ones holding up a sign saying they are awareness or they support awareness and where you are from would make a big impact. People care more when they see faces and something personal vs. numbers and statistics".
Janice Foster from Australia jumped on board with this idea, and expanded it to include a little more of the Lyme patients story (Eg: I am, I have lost, I want). The response to the Australian videos was enormous, and many countries followed suit and put together a video to showing the faces of Lyme in their country. |
Jessica's Blog: http://fightlymes.com/
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See below for more on how Australia's patient video campaign progressed Jessica's original idea, and for the video's that eventuated.
The You-tube video opposite is the short patient "highlights" video that had over 3000 views within the first three three months. To see the other countries video's go to the Global Lyme & Invisible Illness Organisation: Awareness Video's section. |
Worldwide Lyme Protest Australia :
General Highlights |
Australia's Patient Video Campaign
"As part of Australia’s campaign to promote the Worldwide Lyme protest, supporters of our Facebook page were asked to take photos of themselves with signs completing the following sentences:
“I am…” “I’ve lost…” “I want…” It was hoped that these photos, when compiled into a video, would give an insight into ‘Lymie life’, without putting the strain of ad lib discussion on participants. Fellow Lyme patient, and talented vocalist/musician Emily Madden, volunteered to compose and perform a song, especially for the video’s soundtrack. We had anticipated receiving photos from approximately a dozen people, but ended up with contributions from over 70, totalling more than 230 photos! It seems we had misjudged the need of Lyme sufferers and their loved ones to be heard. As a result, the decision was made to release four videos –one to feature general highlights, and the others to cover the topics of “I am…”, “I’ve lost…” and “I want…”. Despite her preparations to fly overseas for Lyme treatment, Emily accommodated the project by providing us with a further four original songs. We would like to thank all everyone involved – participants, receptive audiences and Facebook ‘likers’ and ‘sharers’, for the part you have played in communicating the situation faced by Australian Lyme patients every day. A big thank you also to Janice Foster and Ryan Hollings for taking the time to put these video's together. |
Worldwide Lyme Protest Australia :
I AM Worldwide Lyme Protest Australia :
I've Lost Worldwide Lyme Protest Australia :
I Want |
The poignant photos submitted by patients and families for the Worldwide Patient Video's were printed out and presented to Federal Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Baggoley in March 2013.
Photo below: Jacqui van Teulingen (Lyme Disease Association of Australia) presenting Professor Chris Baggoley with the folder of pictures of Australian Lyme Disease patients at the First International Tick Borne Conference (hosted by the Karl McManus Foundation) in Sydney.
Photo below: Jacqui van Teulingen (Lyme Disease Association of Australia) presenting Professor Chris Baggoley with the folder of pictures of Australian Lyme Disease patients at the First International Tick Borne Conference (hosted by the Karl McManus Foundation) in Sydney.