CANADA DAY DANGERS THAT MAY BE INVISIBLE

   Invisible dangers you say, where and how can this be.  Forecasters have suggested good weather for Canada Day and hikers may be walking through the short grasses in the spring and summer and not notice the almost invisible but deadly danger.  A tiny insect could be looking for “a small and convenient place to feed on for a lifetime.”  This could be a very short life span or even cause a person to be wheel chair bound indefinitely.  This is the dreaded lime disease that doctors find so difficult to diagnose.  Detecting the presence of this tick as soon as possible is important and must be removed very carefully.   It is said to live among the short grasses of spring. 

   Elizabeth May has filed a private members bill in parliament to focus on the need for more research in this area.  Doctors find this “tick disease” difficult to identify because the symptoms of lime disease are similar to flu-like symptoms. Meanwhile hikers should stick to well-worn trails to avoid any ticks that may be lurking in the grasses mainly in the early spring and summer.  The last time I was walking with my family with the great grandchildren I heard the sound of a motor in the distance as their father called out “Train up” as the eldest one extended an inviting hand and the others quickly joined together forming a small “train” and avoided the oncoming car.