KARL’s Story by Mualla Akinci McManus
Karl McManus was bitten by a tick in July 2007 on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. A week later he developed flu-like symptoms but, due to a lack of knowledge about Lyme disease in Australia, the tell-tale signs and potential seriousness of the tick bite were overlooked.
Five weeks later Karl experienced more of the classic symptoms of Lyme disease and also began to lose dexterity in the fingers of his left hand and to get muscle wasting. In November 2007 Karl was misdiagnosed with multi-focal motor neuropathy (MFMN) and given an immuno-suppressive agent which worsened his condition, so the treatment was stopped.
It was not until April 2008, when we sent his blood to a US laboratory and his tests came back positive for Lyme-disease bacteria, that our suspicions were confirmed. However, Karl could not find a doctor in Australia who would care for and treat his neuroborreliosis. Without proper monitoring he continued to deteriorate.
Karl passed away suddenly on 14 July 2010. His decline and death was due to a refusal by the medical system to accept he had Lyme disease and treat him accordingly. He did not want anybody to suffer like him ever again.
Karl’s full story can be found in the Karl’s Story section of this site.
The aim of the Karl McManus Foundation is to erode the barriers to the recognition and treatment of Borreliosis, especially neuroborreliosis, in Australia and to contribute to knowledge in the world about borreliosis and other tick-borne infections.
THE AIMS OF THE FOUNDATION INCLUDE
1. To facilitate research and raise awareness of Lyme disease (borreliosis and co-infections) and other tick-borne diseases in Australia.
2. Advocate for better testing and treatment of borreliosis and co-infections.
3. Educate doctors and other health professionals about Lyme disease (borreliosis) and co-infections in Australia.
4. Use the media to alert the public about Lyme disease (Borreliosis) and co-infections in Australia.
5. Publicise that there is a potential to misdiagnose Lyme (Borreliosis) as many other serious chronic diseases like Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease (MND, ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia and ME/chronic fatigue syndrome and autism.
For a list of the foundation’s Board of Directors please visit the Board of Directors section of this site.
CONTACT US
For more information about the Karl McManus Foundation for Lyme Disease Research & Awareness or for related enquiries please contact:
Mualla Akinci
info@karlmcmanusfoundation.org.au
PO Box 726 Turramurra
NSW 2074 Australia"
Quoted from website http://karlmcmanuslyme.org/
