A Welwyn model has gone from being involved in Olympic dressage to being bedbound, after over 30 doctors failed to diagnose her with Lyme disease.

Jessica Bennett, 31, of Digswell Hill, contracted the disease in Germany in 2009, but was misdiagnosed for the following six-and-a-half-years.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks, and if left untreated can spread across the body resulting in severe long-lasting symptoms.

“There were days when I was crawling on my hands and knees to get to the bathroom,” Jessica said.

“I ran marathons, I used to push cars around for fun, I had never been tired in my life and was nicknamed ‘Duracell Bunny’, and now I’m completely crippled.”

It remains to be seen how much of the damage is reversible, but Jessica has now begun intravenous treatment.

Due to limited knowledge and resources in England, Jessica and her partner, Matt, are fundraising to get her a specialist Lyme doctor in America in hope of reclaiming her health and happiness.

Jessica is also keen for the Government to introduce mandatory Lyme training for GPs, provide more efficient Lyme screening nationwide, and get Lyme specialists from overseas to train consultants here.

For more information and to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/savejessicabennett

Check out the full story in this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times, out now.