Teya Friesen, a young mother and resident of Winkler, is in her second battle with Lyme disease—a condition that was left undiagnosed for over a decade. After receiving treatment in the United States, Friesen is speaking out to raise awareness and funds to support her ongoing recovery.
Friesen’s story began when she posted on the “What’s Up Winkler” Facebook page, offering to do odd jobs to help cover her treatment costs. "Lyme disease is a serious illness. It's caused by the Borrelia bacteria, which is transferred through bug bites," Friesen explains. "It used to be believed that only tick bites could give you Lyme disease, but in more recent studies, it's also mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and spiders."
"You're living chronically ill... If you have Lyme in your brain, you'll have brain fog, confusion, memory loss. If it's in your heart, you get palpitations, chest pain, and fluctuating heart rate." - Teya Friesen, on living with Lyme Disease
Years of misdiagnosis
Friesen lived with undiagnosed Lyme disease for over ten years, enduring multiple chronic health issues that were not properly linked to the condition. "I had been Lyme tested two or three times, and it had always come back negative," says Friesen.
According to Manitoba Health, Lyme disease is typically diagnosed through a combination of symptoms, physical findings (like rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected blacklegged ticks. However, diagnosis can be difficult as the symptoms often mimic other conditions.
Desperate for answers, Friesen turned to alternative testing through a naturopath, who sent her bloodwork to Germany. "It came back that I had chronic active Lyme disease and five other co-infections," she shares.
Her Lyme disease diagnosis was confirmed, and she received natural, non-invasive treatment that proved effective.
Life with Lyme Disease
Friesen describes the toll Lyme disease took on her body and daily life, particularly when it went untreated. "You're living chronically ill... If you have Lyme in your brain, you'll have brain fog, confusion, memory loss. If it's in your heart, you get palpitations, chest pain, and fluctuating heart rate."
“Somewhere in between 2024 to 2025, I got Lyme disease again. And because my system is still not as high functioning as it should... I’m still dealing with all that.” - Friesen, on relapsing on Lyme after her first recovery.
A new approach: Cranial biotic technique
Friesen sought treatment in the United States, which involved a method called cranial biotic technique—a therapy that uses pressure points and magnets to help re-magnetize the body and support its natural healing process. "It feels like he's tapping your body the whole time and they use heavy magnets... because your body runs on electromagnetic frequencies," she explains.
Although unconventional, the treatment helped Friesen clear the Lyme disease after her first visit in 2023. However, she was reinfected again in late 2024 or early 2025 and recently returned to the U.S. for another round of treatment in February. "They retested and said, ‘You’ve got Lyme disease again,’" she says. “So now I'm working through my detox.”
Raising awareness and funds
Friesen is currently detoxing from her most recent treatment and remains hopeful. However, the financial burden remains significant.
For those looking to support Friesen or others in similar situations, she encourages spreading awareness about Lyme disease and alternative treatment options, as well as being open to donating or hiring for odd jobs when someone is struggling.
Lyme Disease in Manitoba
According to the Government of Manitoba’s Lyme Disease Information Page, blacklegged ticks that can transmit Lyme disease are present in southern Manitoba, including areas around Morden and Winkler. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. If untreated, Lyme disease can lead to severe neurological, cardiac, and rheumatologic complications.
For more on Lyme disease prevention and awareness in Manitoba, visit Lyme Disease | Health | Province of Manitoba
If you'd like to support Teya Friesen directly, keep an eye on community pages like “What’s Up Winkler,” where she continues to offer services to fund her medical care.