Lyme Disease Ends in Death

Lyme Community Loses Hero & Friend Leslie Wermers's Battle Ends

by Andy Abrahams Wilson
Producer/Director UNDER OUR SKIN

The Lyme community has lost an important hero and friend. Leslie Wermers, 41, died from heart failure in her sleep on November 2nd. It's hard to imagine Leslie's heart stopping, because for anyone who knew her, she was all heart. A dear friend to so many and a tireless worker on behalf of the Minnesota and national Lyme communities, Leslie gave everything she had to help others who were sick. And everything she had was an abundant reserve of love and support — even as her own health waned.

The first time I heard from Leslie was in an email several years ago during production of UNDER OUR SKIN. She said that watching the film trailer changed her life: "You see, Andy, I had no will to live. I was so sick, with no answers and just wanted it to end. That was until I saw the trailer. You have given me so much joy. Your documentary saved my life."

Since then, Leslie became our greatest film fan and an undying activist. I finally met her at the Iowa Lyme memorial which we covered for our film. Though she herself drove more than four hours to be there, she gave our crew a hero's welcome. What she told me during an on-camera interview there was humbling and prophetic.

"I have lost my life to this disease, but coming here will help me get it back. The strength you get from others — and by God we're getting more and more powerful. I will get my life back. And I will help others get their lives back. If I die tomorrow and I save one life, I'll die happy."

Months later, Leslie and her sister Tracie (who also has Lyme and worked with Leslie on behalf of Lyme sufferers) sent us a picture of their version of the film's widely-used image of Mandy in the pool.

Leslie wrote, "Tracie and I thought that this photo represents our passion to continue to help you finish this project, that will save so many lives."

Beyond her mission of service, Leslie's sense of humor and gusto were legendary. Over the next few years hers was a familiar voice in our office — calling regularly to tell us how much she appreciated our work, how we were her "angels," and how much she "loved" us. But her love didn't stop here. It was extended to so many people nationwide who were sick and struggling in solitude with the disease. Leslie and Tracie founded the support group Minnesota Lymefighters Advocacy.

Suffering from Lyme induced insomnia, she had late-night conversations with people across the country &mdashh; many of whom she had never met — offering them words of encouragement, hope and affection. It is a testament to her profound affect on so many and the deep emptiness she leaves that so many have been moved by her passing, never having even met her.

Leslie's death leaves a deep hole in my heart and in so many others. Her indomitable spirit and passion for life were equaled only by her anger at the injustices wrought by Lyme ignorance and her dedication to help heal. May this be the lesson — Leslie's legacy — for all of us.

We Are Ready to Help

*Kindly fill out these indicated areas to serve you faster.

Accessibility Toolbar