But when it comes to lobbying for the tick-borne illness to be recognised, our people are certainly setting the pace.

Take, for example, the story of Tahlia Smith. 

Officially diagnosed with Lyme disease about two years ago, Tahlia, is now so sick she needs $100,000 to travel to Germany for a radical treatment designed to kill off the bacteria stealing her life.

It remains undetermined whether Tahlia was infected with the disease in Australia or America. 

Tahlia suspects the former.

More recently Ryan Bradley has also come forward to tell his story. 

Bitten by a tick – he pulled from his  body two years ago – Ryan is now a young man confined to his home.

Adding political muscle to the fight is Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison who has moved a motion to urge the government to consider the plight of sufferers.

As it stands, the existence of Lyme disease in Australia cannot be proved, nor can it be disproved.

Not enough evidence does not mean no evidence at all, therefore shouldn’t all possibilities be considered? 

People like Tahlia and Ryan need to know others are fighting for them. 

They are battling a cruel and ­insidious disease for which there is no cure.

Just as the symptoms accompanying Lyme disease will not abate, 

neither will the fight for its recognition within Australia.