What if your symptoms were dismissed as anxiety… when you knew something was terribly wrong?
What if test results came back “normal,” but your body was falling apart?
And what would you do if the healthcare system left you feeling invisible and alone?
Lyme disease affects millions — yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and controversial illnesses in modern medicine.
This month is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. This episode aims to spread awareness of an illness that affects nearly 500,000 new people in the U.S. annually.
In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Maria Malaguti, Founder and Executive Director of the Lyme Disease Resource Center, to discuss the long and often isolating road of tick-borne illness — and how advocacy can change everything.
Maria’s journey began after what she believed was a simple spider bite while backpacking. What followed was a steady health decline, unexplained neurological symptoms, and a terrifying ER visit where her concerns were dismissed and she was handed a prescription for Prozac — without a thorough evaluation.
In this episode, we explore:
• Why Lyme disease is still frequently misunderstood
• The emotional toll of being dismissed in medical settings
• How chronic tick-borne illness impacts work, identity, and mental health
• The difference between physical treatment and whole-person healing
• What self-advocacy truly looks like after a diagnosis
• Why no patient should have to navigate disability or healthcare bureaucracy alone
• The power of community in moving from victimhood to empowerment
If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.
For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395.
Connect with Maria Malaguti:
https://www.facebook.com/ldrcnoho
https://www.instagram.com/lymedrcincnorthampton/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lyme-disease-resource-center-inc-/
https://www.youtube.com/@LymeDRCIncNorthampton/videos
Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:
Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates
Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates
Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates
Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates
LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates
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