In July of 2003, Brian Simmons was killed by a drunk driver when leaving his first job as a unit coordinator at UMass Hospital in Worcester. Brian was an Ashburnham, MA native who was a great soccer player. He had recently graduated from The University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
After his untimely death, the Simmons family decided to have a yearly road race in his memory. Brian’s family selects a beneficiary that Brain would find important from each annual race. This year the beneficiary is another native from Ashburnham, MA named Lindsey Noseworthy. Lindsey has a lot of things in common with Brian Simmons before his accident. They both are from the same town, went to the same high school and they loved the sport of soccer.
black-legged deer ticks
Lindsey Noseworthy has been battling a severe case of Lyme Disease for over two years. She was misdiagnosed several times over the two year period. Misdiagnosis actually happens often with Lyme Disease because early symptoms seem like common sickness, for instance the flu, and Lyme tests are not extremely accurate. Lindsey was actually told that she had mononucleosis when she went to the ER throwing up and having a bad headache. Over time Lindsey had more severe symptoms. She was had terrible GI problems, extreme fatigue, heart problems and trouble breathing. Eventually, Lindsey had to leave school where she had planned to become a nurse and play competitive soccer.
Massachusetts has the 8th highest incidence rate of Lyme Disease in the United States. Many Lyme Disease cases are unreported or misdiagnosed. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of Lyme Disease especially if you live in a prevalent area like Central Massachusetts. Early Lyme Disease Symptoms can feel like the flu. Fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes are common. Sometimes a bull’s-eye rash can appear at the site of the tick bite although it only appears about 70% of the time. If any of these symptoms become evident after a tick bite or being exposed to an area where ticks are abundant you should see a doctor.
Eliminate threats of ticks in the place where tick bites most often occur, your Central Massachusetts yard.
Follow these 6 C’s of tick control:
- Clear debris. This is especially important in moist, shady areas where ticks thrive.
- Clean. Get rid of leaf litter, brush off sidewalks and mow grass.
- Choose plants that are not attractive to deer. Deer carry ticks into your yard.
- Check hiding places often. Ticks like to hide at the bottom of brick walls and fences.
- Care for your pets. Ensure you check them for ticks and apply tick medication regularly.
- Call a licensed mosquito control professional.
Also read: What happens if you get bitten by a tick?
Dave Macchia, Tick Control Enthusiast