Carrie Perry is the President of Sam’s Spoons Foundation, a non-profit that provides education and healthcare relief for those affected with Lyme disease. She also co-created the podcast Chick2Chick which covers topics specific to women in the Susquehanna Valley. Through those mediums, she’s been able to inspire her community.
Who has been your biggest influence?
My mother. She taught me the value of being a participant in your community, encouraged me to be a leader, instructed me to never use the words “can’t” and “hate” and showed me that you can be resilient in the face of big challenges.
What motivated you to be involved in your community?
Very simple—a lack of education about tick bites and Lyme Disease when PA is ranked #1 in CDC reported Lyme cases. When our daughter was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and Babesia coinfection from a tick bite we never saw, I quickly found out how little information was available to me on the disease. No one was talking about preventing tick bites and it was beyond frustrating to not have enough support from the mainstream medical community (and insurance). I was a correspondent for WHTM ABC 27’s Good Day PA lifestyle show and knew I had an opportunity to use my voice to educate the public. From producing a 30 minute show to hosting an in person community Tick Talk event, I found that I could reach so many people of all ages to hopefully alert them on tick bites and tick borne diseases. From there I became the Pennsylvania Ambassador for the national organization Project Lyme and continued to host educational and fundraising events. I decided to start Sam’s Spoons Foundation for Lyme Support and Education so that we could help with the out of pocket expenses incurred when treating tick borne diseases here in Central PA, plus better educate our youth and families through our Sockit2Lyme program.
What advice would you give your younger self?
My younger self was tenacious and a go-getter. I’d still cheer her on but I’d also reminder her to take a minute, look around, pace yourself and not be in such a hurry!
What’s your idea of self care?
Self care for me involves eating well and staying active—keeps me feeling good mentally and physically! I also enjoy a good ol’ soak in the tub to unwind.
What message do you have for the future generations of women?
I’m a mom to 3 daughters and 2 stepdaughters and they have either grown to be or are in the process of becoming cultured, intelligent, strong minded women! My advice; take the time to really get to know yourself and what you want to accomplish in your life. Find what makes you happy and pursue it, and don’t forget to use your voice to make a difference. It’s exciting to see each generation of women become stronger than the last… I see it in my own girls.
Lastly, speed round!
Heels or Flats? Since COVID, flats!
Pancakes or Waffles? Pancakes
Day or Night? Day
Books or Movies? Movies
Rain or Sunshine? Sunshine
