Lyme Disease Survivor Transforms Life, Wins Miss GB

Kirstie Haysman, a hypnotherapist from Watford, Hertfordshire, has achieved a remarkable turnaround after a lifelong health battle. For over three decades, she was misdiagnosed by numerous doctors, receiving incorrect treatments for conditions like lupus and fibromyalgia, which left her bedridden and struggling to perform basic daily tasks. She was advised by medical professionals to accept her limited reality and abandon her dreams.

In 2023, Kirstie was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease after an acquaintance suggested the possibility. This diagnosis came after years of debilitating symptoms, including severe exhaustion, rashes, migraines, and joint inflammation so severe her knees resembled watermelons. Her previous treatments, including steroids and methotrexate, had worsened her condition, leading to bone deterioration and the loss of her career as a chiropodist.

Motivated by a desire to make her daughter proud and to help others, Kirstie used hypnotherapy to manage her pain and stress, visualizing recovery. She progressed from being bedridden to using a wheelchair, then a Zimmer frame, and eventually walked unassisted. Her journey culminated in her winning Miss Great Britain in October 2025, making her the competition's first disabled titleholder.

Tragically, Kirstie's daughter Harriet, now 14, was also diagnosed with Lyme disease in July 2023, a condition Kirstie believes she may have passed on. Harriet is set to compete in Teen Miss Great Britain in October 2026 and plans to use her platform to raise awareness for young carers. Kirstie has since completed her hypnotherapy diploma and launched a petition for improved Lyme disease testing.