Ticks and Lyme Disease - A Growing Concern Across Canada

Lyme-carrying ticks are now found in almost all Canadian provinces.  At one time, they were only found in Ontario.  They were once limited to areas along the U.S. Border in Southern Ontario such as, Point Pelee and Fort Erie.  Now, the organisms can be found everywhere along the border.

Medical professionals are becoming more worried about the spread of the disease and feel there are so many more at-risk Canadians.  Read more ...

Symptoms of Lyme disease:

If you suspect that you may have been in contact with a Lyme-carrying tick, seek medical help right away.  Tips on avoiding the possibility of contracting the disease include, staying out of areas that ticks thrive in.  Check yourself and your pets thoroughly if you have been in any of these areas.

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Learn how to remove ticks

This Is What Lyme Disease Feels Like

Personal story by Molly Napolitano

It's a beautiful day -- stunning actually -- but I've been lying in bed since one in the afternoon. I's now almost six and I've wasted yet another day thanks to Lyme disease.

In the last week, my joint pain has been getting worse and worse. Today, it feels like I've been hit by a truck. Every muscle hurts to touch. My hair started falling out in the shower. Most joints in my body are extremely painful. It hurts to open my hands or bend my elbows. It hurts to stand up because my right forefoot screams out in agony. My right knee, both hips and my neck are joining in on the fun. I have a horrible headache, but none of these pains are the worst of it.

I feel like the life has been literally sucked right out of me. The fatigue is overwhelming. I'm so tired that my eyelids struggle staying open --

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Written By: Mike Crawford

Could Windsor, Ontario Become A Retirement Destination?

The Windsor-Essex Active Retirement Community Initiative, is hoping that local politicians will support turning this region into a retirement haven.  They believe this is an excellent idea and are planning to approach the city council for part of the funding to help this become a reality.

Since the launch of this initiative five years ago, 1,042 new families have come to this region.  They have come from Toronto, Ottawa, Alberta and Quebec, just to name a few places.  They didn't just up and move here.  They were brought here by the organizers of the Initiative to tour the area for a few days.  A couple of the families have purchased homes in the Walkerville area, others have bought student housing as an investment and others have come here to start businesses.  Some that toured the area are planning a second visit in the near future to do further research on the region.  Most of the families that have moved here are 50 and over with a plan to establish themselves by securing businesses and investments to live a comfortable retirement.

One of many parks found along the Detroit River

Windsor ranked 3rd in a list of retirement spots across the country.  With hot summers, various bodies of water, wineries  and easy access to the US, it's becoming more of a hot spot for tourists and families alike.  

There is plenty to do here. Downtown, there is a thriving nightlife with numerous clubs, restaurants and a big attraction, Caesar's Windsor Casino.  There are also a lot of festivals, river cruises, sculpture gardens and more that continue on all summer long.  Windsor is also becoming a popular port of call for large cruise ships that can carry 400-500 people to stop and enjoy the city.  It's with hope that more cruise ships will visit as the years go by, boosting our economy and helping the city flourish even further.

Other points of interest that can be found in the region, for example, are Point Pelee and Leamington which are popular for their beaches, picnic areas and farms that sell fresh produce at stands along the way.  Parks and nature trails can be found throughout the area for biking, hiking and exploring the different vegetation and wildlife indigenous to the area.  With the history in the area, there are also a lot of Historical points of interest to enjoy.

The Windsor-Essex Active Retirement Community Initiative has a positive outlook on the progression of this idea and the growth and popularity of the Windsor-Essex region.

Written By:  Mike Crawford

Peace Fountain located in the Detroit River.

The annual International Freedom Festival fireworks
on the Detroit River