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Spotlight Story Program: Sophie Ward’s Story

Meet Sophie Ward

When life brought health challenges into British 24 year old Sophie Ward’s life, ending her dreams of trying out for the 2012 London Olympics, she used her fighter athlete spirit to get to the bottom of her struggles. After a diagnosis of Lyme Disease, Sophie not only focused to improve her health, but worked around the UK with Parliament, on radio/television, and with her blog to bring awareness to Lyme Disease education and prevention. She’s a kind and passionate young women, inspiring others to find their inner empowerment. And as an InvisiYouth Global Brand Leader, Sophie uses her advocacy and philanthropic skills to bring positive change to our international older youth crowd. 

In August 2008, my family and I travelled to Beijing to watch the Olympics. Many of my friends were competing in the swimming events and my dream was to reach London 2012, so it was a perfect opportunity to soak up the atmosphere, support my friends and learn what to expect. Once the Olympics were over we decided after traveling all that way it would be silly not to sight see. So, we did! We were lucky enough to go to the Panda sanctuary and it was AMAZING.

Here is where my nightmare started. I began with a fever after seeing the pandas. I was treated at the time with 48 hours of antibiotics which seemed to do the trick.

On returning home, I was forced to give up my swimming career due to nerve damage after an umbilical hernia operation. I felt lost. The years went on and my health declined; weight loss was the result was increasing food intolerances, migraines, joint pain, muscle weakness, blurred vision, confusion, muscle pain, fatigue, insomnia, temperature sensitivities, itchy skin, rash, nausea and so on. There seemed to be a new symptom every week. I saw doctor, after doctor, after doctor. All of them passed me on to the next or called me crazy.

I was losing the will to keep fighting. Was I crazy? Was it me? My family questioned my health too. Sometimes asking me directly if I was the cause of my health issues and to ‘snap out of it.’ How could I ‘snap out’ of something I zero control over.

2017 began and after going to the hospital for food intolerance tests, the consultant suggested I  see someone who specializes in CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) as at lot of my symptoms matched. The consultant gave nothing away at the time. He just told me to do some blood samples so I did, and returned a month later for the results. We were shocked. I looked at my Mum confused, she grabbed my hand.

I knew for so long I’d been struggling but I still coped. Feeling a bit off didn’t mean I would lay in bed all day. My professor read my results out to me. That stated I had very active Lyme levels and Coxsackie virus. Along with Epstein Barr virus and Herpes 1,2 and 6. At first, we thought FABULOUS a diagnosis… how do we cure it?

Then Lyme disease and the other viruses were explained to us. This fight would be for life, a life-long struggle. The fight would become my life.

I returned to my GP (general physician) with the results and they told me I was crazy, I had an eating disorder because my weight was so low, and I would have to suffer with a ‘chronic disease’ for it to stay so low. They told me my results were false because they had been carried out above and tried to section me. The consultant however, couldn’t find any grounds on which to section me. I was perfectly sane.

I did try inpatient help on my own accord for my eating. It was an utter disaster! I lost 5.5lbs in just 6 days! They starved me on a liquid, low calorie diet and then bombarded me with everything I was intolerant too. I was so sick and hungry. I was forced to discharge myself. This proved to my GP it wasn’t me, it wasn’t my fault and I was perfectly sane. This battle will be is endless and there is no rest.

My health journey has made me PASSIONATE about helping others who are going through similar situations, trying to raise awareness about Lyme disease to prevent people from going through this hell.  A cure, even though we fight for one everyday is a long way of yet. Prevention is key to save future generations and loved ones from the disease at this point.

I am part of the Lyme Discussion UK Administration team and work closely with my local MP (Member of Parliament) to raise awareness on Lyme Disease. I hope my journey and story inspires many who suffer with a variety of chronic illnesses and that we never feel ALONE OR INVISIBLE as our illnesses can often make us.

I strongly believe knowledge is power, so I continue to learn and gain knowledge through meeting people, talking, listening and reading.

People are the best form of lessons and knowledge. Listening is SO important, people relate, people feel less alone and less alien. We pick up hints and tips, look down different paths and doors open.

My work with the Lyme Discussion Group has helped me understand the political fight we face, meet likeminded-people, gain advice, knowledge and FRIENDS. In my work, I have offered support to people who no longer want to keep fighting. My family has fought to have signs and poster placed around Residential and holiday parks across the country and I have my local MP fighting and pushing Government for better tests, treatment methods, research and awareness information.

I am also a Global Brand Leader also work with InvisiYouth Charity!

I hope to make friends, gain further knowledge and help people like myself who often feel LOST, worthless and crazy. I hope to inspire people to find a purpose when there doesn’t seem to be one and celebrate all the victories and pleasures in life to boost our moods and keep us fighting.

And my blog, Sophantastic, has been my own personal journal. A journal to store my research, new knowledge, treatment stories, personal struggles and medical issues with the world in hope that others can relate, and we can find comfort in not feeling alone in our struggles.

I won’t let the world change me, I must change the world. And I must change the world to become more accepting.

So many of us have battled years with feeling like we are ‘alien’ and don’t belong. Just because we are poorly it doesn’t mean we can’t reach our dreams, we can’t make a difference and we are crazy. Our dreams and goals may have to be altered but the constant ignorance and dismissal in the health industry for people with chronic illnesses and chronic disease is not acceptable or healthy.

Society needs to learn to not see our weaknesses in a negative light but as stepping stones to learn and gain strength from. To add power to our strengths. This simple change would help improve lives because everyone knows a strong mind is the best weapon.

My life with Lyme Disease has inspired me to become the stronger person I am today. I have felt pain beyond my limits and become grateful for every moment.

It has taught me that nothing can hold us back, only WE hold us back. We have the power to change the world, empower and inspire people all around the world.