Sue the SOBs

I posted this info about a year or so ago, but nothing has really changed since then. I just re-joined and am heartsick over the needless suffering of so many people. Anyone who has lyme disease is an 'innocent victim' of the negligence, callousness, and unconscionable greed of a handful of individuals. I won't list them all by name but the worst of the worst is Gary Wormser MD: one of the original authors of the bogus "protocol" for testing that inevitably excluded virtually anyone with chronic, or late-stage lyme. Something Wormser (The "Worm") and a handful of other like-minded docs dismiss as a "syndrome." In other words, it's in our head(s). We're not really suffering, or having our worlds turned upside-down.

OK... a year ago I hoped "lymies" would mobilise: take a page out of the AIDS book: 'Act Up;' get in some people's faces (in Washington, DC mostly) Except for "Under OUr Skin" I'm not aware of anything that has really gotten a great deal of national attention. This is such a complicated issue because of the politics involved, which usually means money. Pure and simple. Wormser et. al, have gotten obscenely rich playing the gov't for grant/research money and taking big Bucks from Big Pharma and Big INsurance. I'm sure many of you already know about this; but it is time to ACT. Since it doesn't look like anyone is going to be marching on Washington anytime soon (like MLK in '68 for Civil Right & the AIDs activists in the 80's) there is only one legitimate way to kick-start some type of needed action: laws mandating insurance coverage, changing the 25 (?) year old grossly inadequate Dearborn conference guidelines for testing (these were meant only for surveillance not testing) and hold these a**holes accountable: sue the SOBs.

I'm not an attorney but this is the only thing that will produce dramatic results before some of us literally die waiting. I was infected in 1975; but have the same tragic story as everyone on here concerning all of the drs that mis-dxed me, the money wasted, losing a good job, going on disability, literally having my world turned "end-for-end." All I know about this is what I've learned on-line; but it is encouraging. The "Worm" (I'm sorry but this guy turns me stomach) has done more harm to the lyme community than all of the drs we've seen combined because he wrote the guidelines (along with Alan Steere, etc. and with the help/support of the CDC) that have caused untold suffering. We need to go after this guy legally. And the good news is: we can.

Anyone who has been mis-diagnosed can sue this creep. Lymies in NY have 3 years from the so-called 'date of discovery' to file a civil suit. And, if no attorney will handle it (or consider a class-action suit) it is straight-forward enough to file your own lawsuit for 'negligence' on behalf of Wormser, et. al., and/or 'personal injury.' Lymies outside of NY can sue in federal court, no matter what state they live in. This is an exception to suing in state court and is called a 'diversity claim.' Equally important, any/all of us can file a 'federal tort' naming CDC officials who have been complicit with Wormser in keeping the guidelines in place, even though they know by now they are grossly inadequate.

If 1 person sues CDC or Wormser tomorrow, they'll probably chuckle. If 10 do so next week, they'll shake their head. If 100 do... they'll say 'Holy Sh-- these folks are serious;' if 10,000 do... this will cease to be a political football and the changes we so desperately need (legitimate testing protocols, mandatory health care coverage, an end to persecution of LLMDs, ...) will spare the people who have recently learned they have lyme the needless suffering of the rest of us; and before us older folks are institutionalized with a dx of "MS," "Parkinson's," or "Alzheimers."

I know this forum doesn't allow "cheap-shots" obscenities, etc. and i have tried to keep this as reasonable as I can; but I'm dam--d mad. I'm almost as mad at us (Lymies) as I am Wormser and his pals because we aren't doing nearly enough. Yes, people need support & information. This site is priceless and the info is incredible, as are the folks who provide it. Because there are so many of us now (recent estimates by even the CDC are 300 K new cases of lyme per year I believe rather than the old 10-20k) we can do this and this site is a great place to begin. Finally, we don't even have to win these lawsuits; although if just a few do... the the "walls will come tumbling down." It isn't about money to me; it's about justice... about the most serious epidemic of the 21st century and all the people who have simply buried their head in the sand. That includes drs, politicians, gov't agencies, and far too many of us.

I agree but typically those with lyme have few monetary resources and limited energy that is reserved for trying to get through each day. If there were an easy way for those with lyme to be more involved that might help. I agree we lack organization that reflects our numbers. I have signed petitions, posted opportunities for lymies to voice their views, easily add themselves to a world map to visually show our numbers only to be disappointed in the lack of response, participation.

But I also realize during my own flare ups I dont have any extra energy to take political action on my behalf and others. I understand and share your concern and frustration. However I think without a map, how to instructions it might be difficult for people to take legal action. Not to mention many have been emotionally beat down with their experiences that they have no faith in the political, judicial or medical process. Not an excuse just reality.

I posted an excellent vidoe yesterday and sent to family members to help educate and the feedback I got was that most non lymies would interpret the video as being specific to PA, although they did say it was very informative. Education has to be keybut there are so many doctors towing the medical party line that we always seem to be on the ddefensive trying counter misinformation and bad science.

Taking legal action for who have never done so may seem overwhelming. Has any lymie or lyme organization successfully litigated against the cdc or idsa? That wouldat least provide a precedent and model for others.

Yes my blood is boiling over this. It sickens me the most to realize that its all over $$$$ . Where is the humanity!!! I will do my part so my children and theirs don't have to suffer. I'm in!!!

Pelicanguy--the internet--and Facebook, Twitter, other social media resources--EXTREMELY powerful tools! And tools that we can all utilize, even if we're currently homebound due to illness. I think we're all beginning to realize how brutal and inhumane our enemies are. People like Wormser are sociopaths who are willing to put money over the well-being of other human beings! It's disgusting, sickening, and not so different from what's going on in other areas of our society--big oil, big pharma, big agriculture, etc., etc. There are people getting rich by doing harm to other living beings. The class action lawsuit might work. Anyone in Florida that could get the ball rolling? I don't like lawsuits either. But I think that's part of the problem. Many decent, moral people DON'T like lawsuits, and many of these sociopaths know this and are counting on it.