Money is being raised for a local family fighting neurological Lyme disease through a GoFundMe campaign at
A fundraiser will also take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at The New Sheridan Hotel in Telluride.
After the birth of her first child, Ashaya, in January, Durangoan Tasha Rayburn began experiencing muscle and skeletal pain, memory loss, intermittent paralysis to the right side of the body, chest pain, insomnia, high fevers, weakness, anxiety, depression and other symptoms.
Symptoms were attributed to postpartum changes until they rapidly worsened and her condition deteriorated. Rayburn was eventually diagnosed with neurological Lyme disease and multiple infections, including black mold. Because of her weakened state, her body did not respond to medications and she began having muscle convulsions, seizures, more frequent paralysis and became bedridden for 18 to 19 hours a day.
Testing at Sponaugle Wellness Institute in Florida revealed the highest severity of the illness the clinic had seen in 22 years of operation.
Tasha has been in Florida for several months receiving intensive treatment. The cost of treatment, living expenses and transportation is about $8,000 per week with an estimated 20-week treatment timetable.
Because of Rayburn being unable to return to work as a registered nurse, insurance is not covering her treatments.
