FREE WOMEN from INHUMANE SUFFERING

In a world that is defined by what you do, NeuroLyme, slow-growing brain cancer, and other debilitating chronic conditions can feel like a sentence worse than death.  

"One-in-five patients with Post Treatment Lyme had suicidal ideation."  Shreya Doshi, MA, peer reviewed research manuscript.

"Hopelessness caused by lack of educated doctors, isolation, debilitating symptoms, depression caused by Lyme disease, feeling like a burden, and watching friends die (kill themselves) contributed to suicidal feeling in patients with Lyme and Associated Diseases." CNNireport, Survey of a Lyme Support Group

In our experience, far too many women choose death over the suffering and torture of Neuro-Tickborne Disease, leaving an irreplaceable hole in the lives of their family and friends and tragically cutting lives and relationships short. 

Not long after starting the Oregon Lyme Disease Network in 2001, Theresa Ivanov, nearly quit. It broke her heart when woman after woman committed suicide before she could get them help. Treatment is costly and Social Security Disability does not recognize Lyme Disease as a disability. Emily's Place first guest, Wren Sparrow had to be talked out of ending her own life before coming, Courtney wrote and performed the song Lightning (link coming)  in which she pleaded for God to “Take Me Now,” even our founder once believed that her family would be better off without her.

But Regina is glad she persevered, and has gone on to live a life full of service, grief, joy, heartbreak, and everything in between. Though she still struggles with one health issue, her life has been meaningful and fulfilling, and she believes that every life matters just as much as hers. In sickness or in health, we have so much more to offer the world than our bank account or productivity. The goal of Emily's place is to help women, even in their darkest moments, feel that this is true for them.