Red Shoe Day July 25th 2014

Red Shoe Day: A Day of Remembrance - July 25th 2014

Red shoe day, to be held on July 25th is to remember all those we have lost to invisible illness such as Lyme, ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and the many more illnesses that are invisible. In the broad sense of the term, invisible illnesses are those that are generally "invisible", not only from the outward appearance of the person, but also seemingly invisible to appropriate research, treatment and care of the thousands of people that are living with them. Many living with these illnesses are also "invisible" to society, as their health is such that they are confined to their houses, (and many to their beds) for months, even years.

Red Shoe Day was established in memory of Australian Lyme Patient, Theda Myint who left this earth on 25th July 2013. For further explanation behind this day see the page: Red Shoe Day A Day of Remembrance

July 25th 2014 marked the first anniversary of Theda's passing, and the inaugural year of Red Shoe Day: A Day of Remembrance. People were invited to wear their Red Shoes in memory of those who have passed, and to post the picture and your memories to our facebook page "Red Shoe Day - Worldwide Online"

Western Australian families and friends of loved ones passed also gathered to remember those lost at :
Red Shoe Day: Get together - Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia

Thank you very much to all those that participated and helped to make this day such a success to ensure the memories of those lost live on. Below are the pictures and thoughts of many that were shared with us. Due to having so many contributions, including beautiful paintings, poetry and video's we have made another page: Red Shoe Day Artistic Tributes

Red Shoe Day: July 25th 2014 : Worldwide Online Event Pictures and Messages

Thank you from Karen and Lisa.
Hosts for the day: Australia: Melinda, Tennille ; United Kingdom; Sarah- Louise, Chris ; United States : Rick Urbanowski

Sarah Louise: "Despite the mountains she had to climb and the relentless nature of her pain, Theda Myint did conquer the world, because she gave so much love to it. She was brave and gentle, and one of those people with a beautiful inner light. Every life she touched is better for the warmth of her words and the feel of her friendship. Sometimes, when people die of illness, others say 'they lost the battle'. I think Theda won hers, not because of how it ended, but because of how much grace and courageousness she fought with."

Melinda - Australia

Marianne: "For the Lyme warriors that lost the fight."

Jenny: "Wearing our red shoes and remembering Theda and all those list to invisible illness."

E.b.: ""Red shoe day" to honor us & our loved ones lost to Lyme."

Michelle: "In memory of Theda & all who have lost their lives to Lyme Disease & all invisible illnesses, I celebrate u & will continue to march forward raising awareness so we will be heard. To all fighting much love & light on your journey & lets rock the red !!!! ~♥"

Drew: "I wear mine in honor of Mr. Jerry Carrington. He encouraged me to keep searching, keep fighting and never give up. He is missed."

Johnette B. Sowder. Posted by Wayne: , my wife who passed away in October 2010, after suffering from Lyme disease for eight years.

Thank you very much to E Wayne for Sharing some of his favourite memories of his wife Johnette with us all.

E Wayne posted: My deepest sympathy to Theda's family and friends, I understand what it feels like to lose a loved one who suffered from Lyme disease. My wife Johnette passed away in October 2010, after suffering from the effects of Lyme disease for over eight years. I know that if she was still here she would love Red Shoe Day - Worldwide Online and would've participated. So I'll add her photo and red shoes in her memory.

Johnette was a petite woman with a huge heart but, very small feet and she loved shoes. She hated her size 4 feet because it often limited her high heel choices. During our life together, I made it my quest to find her heels that she liked in her size. I bought her this pair while we were on honeymoon, she loved wearing them for special occasions, so here they are for this special day of remembrance.

"The pair of red shoes that I bought my wife on our honeymoon. Johnette suffered from Lyme disease for eight years before passing away in October 2010."

Montserrat: Por Theda Myint, por Mary Saldaña y por todos los que ya no están... Para los que seguimos aquí (Nelly Pointis, Juan Manuel Gonzalez, Teresa, Román, Carla, Luis Mariano, Ana y tantos otros...), para todos: ¡FUERZA! By Theda Myint, by Mary Saldaña and all those who are no longer... For those who are still here (Nelly Pointis, Juan Manuel Gonzalez, Teresa, Roman, Carla, Luis Mariano, Ana and others...), for all: force!"

MaryRose: "(((Hugs and healing)))."

Kate: "In memory of Theda Myint and all those who have been lost to Lyme, and in honour of all who continue with the daily struggle.

Kate: ‪#‎RedShoeDay‬ It's a stay-in-jarmies day and I was perched, feet up on the table, on my veranda while taking my red shoes photos. Then I noticed the daffodils flowering down in the garden, so I thought they needed to come to Red Shoe Day too as a symbol of Hope, springtime, reblooming and recovery."

Nurk: "In memory of Theda Myint."

Melissa: "For the beautiful Theda who has touched the lives of so many. May her bravery live on in the loved ones who are left and her courage help those fighting lyme and other invisible illnesses around the world. Love, hugs and God bless Blake Graham and Carol Adams. xo"

Janice from Australia: "Rocking the red in memory of Aussies who have lost their lives to Lyme, including Theda Myint, Karl McManus, Raych Arles, Brendan D, Nelson and Paul. Also thinking of those around the world who have passed away from any 'invisible illness.'"

Flowers & Candle Tributes

Jill: " Today is Red Shoe day in honor of Lyme patients and others with "invisible" illnesses who we have lost worldwide. I don't have any shoes or clothing available right now because they are still at the cleaners from the recent wildfire. But I am posting these red candles in special honor of Cheri Munn from our San Diego Lyme support group who proudly served in the U.S. armed forces as well as being a Lyme warrior, Chris Morbelli-Urbanowski whose creative talent, humor, love of family and animals uplifted us all, Theda Myint of Australia who was the inspiration for Red Shoe Day with her stylish spirit, and the countless men, women and who we miss every day. We know your lights are shining brightly in Heaven. Red Shoe Day - Worldwide Online"

Chris: "Moved out of the garden and indoors now here in England. No red slippers but am wearing my brightest ones and rocking those ankle supports!!! Have lit some floating candles and picked a few red flowers to float with them. Thinking of Theda Myint and all the other brave warriors who are no longer having to fight. xxx"

Stefanie: "I don't own any red shoes so I thought I'd wear this instead, in honor of all Lyme victims taken too young xxxx."

Aylee: "Thinking of you theda! Sorry sold my red shoes! Think of you often and I'm still so sad that you struggled so much. Thinking of your mum and brother especially today they miss you so very much."