The Lyme Community loses a Hero - Leslie Wermers
By Bryan Rosner on Nov 6, 2008 in General News
Leslie (along with her sister Tracie) is a hero who founded the Minnesota Lyme Fighters Advocacy Group. After Leslie passed away a few days ago I feel compelled to share some information about her amazing life. The best way to learn about her tremendous impact is by looking at this page, with a few videos of Leslie.
Here are my personal thoughts on Leslie’s passing: This loss is so tragic, it has been keeping me up at night. I met Leslie just days before her death at the 2008 ILADS conference. Her spirit touched me even then.
Leslie and Tracie (Leslie’s sister) are awesome. They are the brightest and truest spirits in the Lyme community that I have ever met. When I first met Tracie and Leslie, I kept waiting for their first-impression angelic qualities to wear off into real life relationship that comes when you actually “know someone well.” But the better I got to know them, the more conversations I had, and the more their true character was revealed……the clearer it became that no - this was not just a first impression and no, this was not just a “show” - this was who they truly were, out there on the front lines, staying up late to help people, spending hours on the phone with desperate patients. Their behavior should be a model for all of us.
In my line of work I get phone calls from way too many people but whenever Leslie would call me, my face would light up and it would be as if time would stand still. I could just tell that there were no pretenses, just caring affection and the desire to help.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless and keep you Leslie and we will never forget your kindness, passion and spirit which reached across thousands of miles as if it were next door. -Bryan Rosner
Me (Bryan, Left) with Tracie Schissel at 2008 ILADS Conf.
Me (Bryan, Right) with Leslie Wermers at 2008 ILADS Conf.
On Nov 27, 2008, becky said:
hello my name is becky i have known leslie (les) for sometime now. she was my aunts life partner. i am glad that i had the privlidge of knowing her. she was a kind, loving person. it is a sad thing when god takes a loved one away, but to know that she is not suffering anymore is a joy. i have read many tributes to les. it wasn’t until i read them that i found out how many lifes she has touched and will continue to. my heart goes out to her family and to my aunt paula and her daughter jayde. her and les were very close and she was such a joy to have in our lives and family. WE WILL MISS YOU ALWAYS LESLIE!!!!!!!!
On Nov 27, 2008, Heidi said:
hi my name is heidi and i am paulas neice and leslies too. i have known leslie for sometime. leslie was the person i could go talk to about anything and it wouldnt matter on what it was and i could tell her anything and she would care. she just made i was okay. she has done so much for everyone that has asked for her help. leslie wanted to save everyone that she could but couldnt save everyone. somedays it seems like she isnt gone because i can feel her around me and in my heart and she will be there for ever. LESLIE WE WILL MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!!!!!!!
On Jan 16, 2009, Jaime Mason said:
Hello. My name is Jaime, I met Leslie on http://www.mdjunction.com , we connected quickly, and became great friends. I miss her terribly. I think about her EVERY day. She was one of the most amazing people I have ever known or will ever know. Because of her, I am able to help others find help and educate them on lyme disease. I only wish I would have had the chance to hug her in person. She was the most selfless person I know. Whenever we talked I had to drag out of her how SHE was doing. She was always so interested in everyone elses wellbeing, she would rarely talk about her own issues with this disease. I still can’t take her name off my email list or out of my cellphone contacts. Just seeing her name brings me comfort. She will be with me always in my heart. It’s rare to find such a wonderful friend. I know she is in heaven with our Maker, and she is whole and happy and pain free, but the selfish part of me still can’t comprehend her being gone. I just want to hear her say one more time “hey sweetie, it’s Les, how are you doing?” Even on her hardest days she always sounded so warm and compassionate. Rest in peace my dear friend. I will see you in heaven and our days will be glorious!
love you always,
jaime