Hello Everyone!

Last weekend I was honored to speak at Boston’s Ride Out Lyme 2019 at SoulCycle Seaport. I was asked by Brandi Dean to speak about my experience over these last few years as a patient at The Dean Center for Tick-Borne Illness.
I immediately said yes because I knew right away how important it was to share my story and to tell more people about the wonderful things that have been going on at the Dean Center! I wanted to share what I said with everyone because everyone should know. Thank you Brandi and Ride Out Lyme for having me on your special occasion!

First off, let me start by saying that I believe that The Dean Center is a place where dreams of a future become a reality.

In 2016, after years of unsuccessfully treating Lyme Disease, I learned about The Dean Center for Tick-Borne Illness from my primary care. She has suggested that I reach out to become a patient. So, I did just that, I had called in hoping to make an appointment and was accepted as a patient. I scheduled my very first appointment with Dr. Nevina Zubcevik the following May during Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

I was finally able to get on the medication that I desperately needed, and right away I started using some of the services that the Dean Center offers to their patients.

I had never done therapy before and now it has become such an essential part of my path to remission I don’t think that I could do without it. Therapy has helped me understand that this isn’t my fault, I am sick, and I have actually been sick for the several years. Every day I am learning how to cope with the loss of who I was all while I am coping, I am becoming this stronger and healthier person I never knew that I could be. I have been able to get my confidence back and I am mentally stronger than I ever have been before.

I am forever grateful!

I have been to several Dean Center’s support group meetings and I have made many new friends. I think i’s incredibly crucial for us to know we are not alone in the fight. There is a major sense of hope when you can relate with others on similar experiences that most don’t want to understand.

Reiki has also been very helpful with my mind body connection! I would definitely say if you’re someone who needs some healing, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual I recommend considering trying out Reiki! I didn’t realize how much guilt I was feeling over being ill. I think some of this guilt stemmed from not being able to validate my illness because it’s just not so clear on the outside. I mean, I may look great on the outside, but on inside, sometimes it can feel like tiny little fires igniting all over my body and inside my brain.

But, as my Gram says, “We just keep on keeping on.” So that’s what we do. We will never give up!

Everyone at the Dean Center have been very helpful in educating and helping patients find coping mechanisms for day-to-day symptoms. I am thankful to now have this toolbox to help me find some sort of balance in this totally chaotic and stressful life. This balance can be attained through guidance and through practice, the Dean Center provides all these services to their patients, free of charge.

I must say that the work that has been going on at The Dean Center has been nothing short of miracle. In such a small amount of time they have helped so many people get their lives back. And for those of us who have felt there was no hope left, it has been a place where magic truly happens. These people are making their careers out of helping others struggling with this awful disease as they know first-hand how much damage it can cause. I hope to one day do the same for others!

Going through Lyme Disease treatment has been major life changing experience. The Dean Center has truly helped saved my life and I am grateful to have such and amazing team of specialists on my side. I look forward to bright future knowing The Dean Center will continue to grow and will be able to help so many others heal!

I want to leave you today just remembering and Please ALWAYS remember, We Are Stronger than We Know and There Will Be Life Beyond Lyme!

Thank you so much for your time!

–Tommy