Jeffrey DiCera of Team Terra

I am musician and songwriter, Jeffrey DiCera. I became a Lyme advocate upon receiving my diagnosis in 2010, during a most turbulent time. It is now understood I've had Lyme since 1985, with all the evidence but the positive test.

In 2012, I joined a support group in Ridgefield, CT. I met my lady friend there, who became my biggest fan and supporter, as well as my strong, guiding light.

I created The Other Way -- a series of albums focused on the many unchartered territories of surviving Lyme, all the while, discovering better options for life in general. The first two chapters are available on all streaming networks, and the next two, The Starting Gates, is a work slowly in progress, highly in need of a jolt.

My spirit took it's biggest hit when my support group friend broke up with me. Our illnesses limited our time together at first, then our words, and finally, our mutuality.

We always hear "That's life," "No one cares," "We all get over it," but nobody knows or sees this very picture. We can fix it if our bodies and minds were freer.

As a lot of us know, many doctors don't listen to us for the real problem. And we're lucky we even get ONE friend willing to listen and actually stick around. We end up being our own...everything.

I learned how to self-analyse. I learned how to cook light and healthy meals. As a born traveler, I honed that into my routine. I live better moving than relaxing. Sure..that could use some adjustments, but I monitor every little difference and counter it, like a dance.

The music I wrote during this time, pretty much wrote itself. I learned from the music, almost like IT was the medical guide. In reality, I just innately learned to go 'another way.' It worked. The project took off.

One day, I hope to share the many stories that emerged in my life, where I truly believe others can relate in a way they may not have before. To me, if you had more of that, you'd have less illness-- less hurt in general.

I joined this race as an avid walker. It is still one of my working parts, and very much therapy through this time. I was always a bit competitive, sometimes to a fault, with my walking, but since becoming an advocate, I hoped a long, competitive race would come. I can't think of a better way than the IndyMini.

Believe it or not, I hesitated signing up at first. It is true that I've developed more executive functioning problems recently. But, I really had to think this through...Is this too long? Can I afford it? Am I well enough?

To lure me on even further, my new band landed a gig in Chicago the day before! And, I have a Rail Pass, so I can cover the travel. But, I still wouldn't close.

When my friend said goodbye the way she did, I lost my pillar of strength; my biggest, most sound support for ten years, among so many other things.

Her poetry, theatrical stories, and astounding wisdom greatly inspired the music, but most of all, she brought me back to being me.

Today, to be honest, I don't know where I'd be right now if not for this race. I signed up almost without thinking. And I expect to finish well, and at a high pace. Now that I've read more about it, I'd better!

I'm giving everything I have to defeating Lyme. First, with this race, then the musical projects, and finally launch a coinciding campaign, designed to help people cope with unchartered elements of life with Lyme. I pledge to start with this race.

I visited the Speedway last year, really to generate some inspiration for the Starting Gates albums. I had no idea. Let's just make something good happen. Whatever that is, it really is gonna start here.