Young woman who begged to go to Dignitas after insect bite left her in agony for a decade finally begins treatment in US after kind-hearted strangers donated £50,000

Kirsty Keep, 23, from Kent, began treatment this week for a mysterious illness caused by a bug bite when she was just 12-years-old. 


She arrived in She has arrived at the Sponaugle Wellness Institute, Florida, for treatment her mother believes may be her last resort. The institute was set up by Dr Rick Sponaugle, and claims to specialise in tickborne diseases. Miss Keep has faced a decade-long battle with a mystery illness, experiencing pain so severe she begged her mother Theresa to die (left in hospital, right, on a 'good day'). Before flying to the US, Mrs Keep wrote on her daughter's fundraising page: 'Let's hope and pray this is the beginning of a better life for Kirsty. We're so thankful for the help you all have given with out everyone's help we wouldn't have been able to move forward like this you have all given Kirsty some hope and you can't even imagine what that means so thank you all so much.'