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CLARKS SUMMIT – Sometimes what you are unaware of can cause you the most harm. That’s why on Thursday, July 15, the Abington Community Library (ACL) will help residents get the facts about chronic Lyme disease.

At 6 p.m., the ACL will host a screening of “Under Our Skin,” a documentary about the worldwide, infectious disease, caused by microscopic bacteria carried by tiny ticks.

The documentary explores the hidden story of Lyme disease, following the journey of several patients as they search for treatment.

The film also takes a look at the medical establishment, interviewing doctors who will treat — and some who won’t treat — chronic Lyme disease, a disease the Infectious Disease Society of America has said does not exist.

“The film is a four-year investigation, and it’s been a wonderful tool to help people throughout our country learn about Lyme disease,” said Robin Lynn, a local Lyme disease advocate.

Lynn will present Thursday’s movie and conduct a short discussion following the film.

The Tunkhannock resident has held two screenings of the film in Wyalusing and Tunkhannock since purchasing the rights in September 2009. Lynn said she began advocating to help others avoid going through what she went through with the disease. Though she began to show symptoms in 2000, Lynn wasn’t diagnosed until 2009.

Finding a doctor who treated and understood Lyme disease caused some of the delay in the diagnosis, as did the nature of the disease.

Chronic Lyme disease mimics a lot of other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), which causes patients to often be misdiagnosed.

“One of the reasons I do this is because I suffered so much with it,” said Lynn. “And I just didn’t want other people to suffer with it. I wanted people to get well.”

In addition to the film, reading material will also be available on Lyme disease prevention and warning signs, making the night valuable for anyone in the community, not just those who are currently battle or think they may have the disease.

“I think even if folks don’t have it, they should come and see it and find out what the symptoms are,” said Paul Rowker, a Lyme disease advocate. “It’s like learning CPR, you hope you never need it, but it’s nice to know.”

Lynn receives assistance with the screenings from Rowker, as well as the Endless Mountain Lyme Disease Support Group. The group meets the second Thursday of each month, from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Susquehanna Apartments in Tunkhannock.

“It’s all about sharing information and giving support to others, because the other thing about this disease is it’s a very lonely disease,” Lynn said.

Anyone wishing to attend the meetings can do so, and Rowker said additional meetings at different times may begin soon. For details, call 570.903.0464 or 570.836.7708.

Space is limited for the “Under Our Skin” screening, so those interested in attending should contact the library at 570.587.3440.

For details on the film, visit www.underouskin.com. For more information on Lyme disease, visit www.aroundtheworldwithlyme.org, or www.lymeactionpa.com.