International Red Shoe Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Lyme Disease

International Red Shoe Day is observed annually on July 25 in honour of Theda Myint, an Australian Lyme disease patient who passed away in 2013. The day was established in 2014 by Myint’s friends as a means to honour her and others who have lost their battles with Lyme disease or similar conditions. The’red shoe’ was chosen as the day’s symbol due to Myint’s affinity for red shoes and their significance to her identity and fight.

The background of International Red Shoe Day

In 2014, Karen Smith and Lisa Hilton, co-founders of the Global Lyme & Invisible Illness Organisation, came up with the concept for International Red Shoe Day. It was created in honour of their friend Theda Myint, who passed away on July 25, 2013, from Lyme disease; hence the date. After being bitten by ticks in Australia, Myint’s disease progressed progressively and was exacerbated by a bout of influenza she contracted while travelling in Europe in 2000.

Her symptoms were relatively unseen by others, but she complained for nine years of constant headaches and increased sensitivity to light and certain stimuli. She would also experience bouts of extreme exhaustion, cognitive dysfunction, and constant body discomfort in the future. Despite this, she actively spent time with her loved ones and endeavoured to live a normal existence.

She was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2011 and devoted the rest of her life researching treatment options until her death in 2013.

People observe the day with social gatherings and awareness programmes in which they don red shoes to mourn and celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones. Myint was known for her passion for red shoes, which led to the red shoe becoming the day’s symbol.

Lyme disease is one of several ‘invisible’ illnesses because, even after being diagnosed, patients do not exhibit obvious symptoms. Due to the severity of their illness, they are likely to be confined to their beds and homes for extended periods, rendering them virtually “invisible” to the rest of the world. Consequently, determining the exact number of Lyme disease patients is difficult. The Lyme Conditions Association of Australia estimates that approximately 2,000 Australians are infected with Lyme disease in 2019.

Thus, International Red Shoe Day is not only a day to honour Theda Myint’s courageous voyage, but also to raise awareness and remember those who have lost their lives to Lyme disease or other invisible illnesses worldwide.

5 FACTS ABOUT LYME DISEASE

Lyme disease is primarily caused by bites from black-legged parasites.

Symptoms of Lyme disease typically manifest one week to 21 days after the initial tick infection.

The majority of cases of Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics, with symptoms typically disappearing within two to four weeks.

The best method to reduce the risk of Lyme disease is to keep your home and garden clean, organised, and tick-free.

Lyme disease cannot be transmitted between humans; it is only transmitted through tick attacks.

INTERNATIONAL RED SHOE DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	July 25	Tuesday
2024	July 25	Thursday
2025	July 25	Friday
2026	July 25	Saturday
2027	July 25	Sunday