My Journey Of Early Symptoms of MS, Paralysis
& Healing Multiple Sclerosis Naturally
A long journey to overcome the paralyzing symptoms Of MS
The battle to overcome Multiple Sclerosis (and Fibromyalgia, CFS and more), & how it changed my life's direction. - Diane McLaren's Story
Your health affects everything ... when you feel good you never give it much thought, when you experience symptoms of some sort, you believe they'll pass ...
One day the symptoms of MS did not pass for me without a very significant journey, a life changing journey ...
I had an experience while attending McGill University in Montreal majoring in my first passion, music. The experience shattered my dreams, left me unable to play my beloved piano and forced me to take stock of myself, my purpose and mission in life.
Through that long, lonely journey, I discovered each of us has an incredible power and unlimited ability to chose our own futures.
I had no guide so it took me a long time to regain my health, re-define my future and that experience motivated me to help others avoid the confusion, pain & disappointments to overcome their own personal health challenges.
We all have many choices in our lives
I found out the hard way that we do have many choices ... while I'd had early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), doctors could never figure it out though eventually, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
1982 was the year I landed in hospital paralyzed from my shoulder to my toes on the right side with extensive speech loss due to facial paralysis, pain, little colon/bladder function and 90% vision loss in one eye. And that was just the beginning!
-
Looking back, I had no idea I faced so many challenging years on my journey back to health.
-
The prognosis of the doctors, neurologists, psychologists and psychiatrists was a 50-70% recovery to a cane(s), no children, restricted mobility, limited career options and so on.
-
Over the next 10 years, I would regain my health for short periods, but could never stay healthy for any meaningful length of time.
-
The doctors said "it was simply the nature of the disease … so just accept it". I did not!
-
During my final MS crisis in 1991-2 there were too many weeks I could not drive my car, walk properly without holding to walls, could not even climb the stairs, … eat, get dressed , you name it.
-
It took me another long painful 18 months where even after 12 months, I had still not made any real progress, I was ready to give up many times.
The doctors did not know - so what could I do?
I was trying everything that western medicine had to offer and more but with no lasting results.
- As if Multiple Sclerosis (MS) alone wasn’t enough, I ended up being diagnosed with 4 more significant diseases, before the age of 30: Erythema, Nodosum, Sarcoidisis, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The medical reasoning & diagnosis as I experienced it
- Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but because I was much more tired than the typical MS patient ...
- CFS was diagnosed
- Because I had tremendous pain and according to doctors, MS is not painful ...
- Fibromyalgia was diagnosed
- I pointed out to the doctors that 8 out of 10 people in the waiting room were in pain … "who said MS is not painful!"
- They diagnosed several more including Erythema, Nodosum, Sarcoidisis
- With each new diagnosis came medications and treatments aimed at the individual diseases
- I remember asking a specialist “could there be be a connection between the 5 diseases, because I simply could not believe that somebody could be so doomed” and I was told “No, no connection at all – that is the way it is”.
I’d had it with the medical system and got very angry and frustrated by that 5th label and continuing lack of real solutions.
If western medicine can't help me get my life back ...
That was when I had began to question western medical wisdom because surly there are cause and effect relationships to be drawn when a series of events happen!
- In the early days, paralyzed in the hospital I hated depending on others for just about every human necessity
- Several years later I remember refusing the offer of a handicap license because for me, accepting it would have meant I gave up all hope of recovery.
- I was so scared that I would never come back, I consciously decided never again
- I consciously chose not to be at the mercy of these diseases ... living with the fear that some mornings I could not walk, drive a car or even hold my child.
- I vowed to fight back, no matter what
Finding solutions in alternative health modalities
The anger and frustration lead me to begin researching eastern philosophies, nutritional strategies, herbal medicines, nutritional health supplements, mental visualizations and many other alternative health therapies.
The more I studied and applied them, the better I understood the complex relationships of our body systems acting in unison. My health finally returned to me and in the process, I discovered a new life passion.
- My family doctor was and remains a big supporter. At the time she observed the changes & simply said “whatever you’re doing Diane, don’t stop!”
- My neurologist, after assessing my case for years finally threw up his hands and said check-in annually so I can document this unprecedented recovery!
- Over the years I have become a Registered (holistic) nutritionist, Certified Iridologist, Reflexologist and trained in many related modalities.
- The formal knowledge coupled combined with my own experiences have enabled me to develop solutions that help others.
Options and choice are a powerful combination
When I was ill, I promised myself, (and family though they didn’t know), I would not be living like that. Once I would come back (walking and all), I would do everything I could to stay healthy.
- I had finally decided to take ownership for my own recovery!
Did you notice?
I did not think or say if … I said once I would come back ... this is a very important point and I believe crucial to successfully fighting any illness or disease (or goal for that matter). You see, in my mind and in my heart - there were no doubts.
- I did not know how long it would take
- I did not know what I would have to do
- My one burning desire was to get well, then stay well.
I wanted to enjoy life without depending on others - I wanted and still want to do everything I choose, when I want, as long as I want and I still do whatever it takes.
Anybody can, I see it work daily in my Wellness Centre
Of course there is a lot of resistance to the notions and science of alternative health and when someone learns of my personal experiences, quite often I'll hear words like ...
- “what did you do to get well”
- “you are so lucky, you got well”
Then when I tell them what I did to get well, many will say,
- "Oh no, I cannot do that"
- "Oh no, it is too much for me"
- "I can't do that because my <husband/wife/partner> would never let me"
Solutions born from need
Thanks to my many positive experiences (some not so positive) with doctor's, Holistic Health Practitioners, Herbalists, Nutritionists and access to modalities like Iridology, Reflexology and Applied Kinesiology; with absolute determination and the internal belief that I could, I have been symptom free for many years now.
- I had always visualized my goal = “What good health would look, feel and be like for me” and that's why it's an important part of my wellness programs.
As a result of my training and experience, I'd discovered and have since developed a unique methodology focused on a holistic approach that helps people take one small step at a time, and get results.
- No one needs to endure the journey I've had to achieve & enjoy good health
The years of nutritional support I required to get my body functioning normally included whole foods plus large quantities and correct formulations of herbal medicines and nutritional supplements.
- Through trial and error, I eventually found the correct formulations in Nature's Sunshine Products and today, they remain a part of my maintenance program.
- I owe a debt of gratitude to Nature's Sunshine Products for my recovery and ongoing good health. They have put the science, research and quality into an exceptionally complete line of herbal products which is why I recommend Nature's Sunshine to others. Used appropriately and properly, their various nutrient dense all natural plant sourced herbal products simply work.
Enjoying good health is a proactive choice
The human body requires certain
basic elements consistent with its long evolution and western
society introduces numerous inconsistent and incompatible influences on our
ability to be and stay healthy.
While I recognize there is a place for modern medicine and technology in saving lives, I also believe that as natural beings, good health today requires people take a proactive approach to maintain wellness, not a reactive responses to treat symptoms of illness.
If you'd like help overcoming a personal health challenge, my personal consulting, counselling and wellness coaching services are available in French or English from my Wellness Centre, or by phone.
To your lasting health and wellness,
Diane McLaren, Holistic Health Practitioner, Wellness Coach, Trainer
P.S. Today I'm playing the piano again, have 2 healthy children and am pursuing my passion through my Wellness Centre counselling and training programs. New clients & student are always welcome.
I offer free monthly 30 minute webinars, see below.
For an appointment, call (905) 855-3000 or write ...
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. - Carl Bard
