Multiple Sclerosis: From Early Symptoms Of MS To Major MS Paralysis And Back To Full Vibrant Health That's Symptom Free
The story of Diane McLaren's 10 year journey overcoming MS, CFS and More
This is a summary of my personal true-life experiences and successful battle against the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (and fibromyalgia, CFS and more) and how it changed my life's direction on the journey to eventual healing and lasting wellness.
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 1st 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 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, define my future and that journey motivated me to help others avoid the confusion and overcome their 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 MS they could never figure it out but I was eventually diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1982 while majoring in music at McGill University.
That was the year I landed in hospital paralyzed from my shoulder to my toes on the right side, considerable speech loss due to facial paralysis, little colon/bladder function and 90% vision loss in one eye. 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 50-75% recovery to a cane, no children, restricted mobility, limited career options and so on.
Over the next 10 years, I would regain my health for short periods but I 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.
During my final 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 up or down the stairs, … eating, getting dressed was difficult, you name it. It took me a long painful 18 months, in fact even after 12 months, I had still not made any noticeable progress and was ready to give up many times.
The Doctor's Didn't Know - So What Else Could I Do?
I had tried everything that western medicine had to offer and much more. I remember refusing the offer of a handicap license because for me, accepting it would have meant I gave up all hope of recovery. At the time I was so scared that I would never come back, I consciously decided never again - I chose not to be at the mercy of this disease ... living with the fear that some mornings I could not walk, drive a car or even hold my child.
It was during those early years that I began to question medical proficiency because surly there are cause and effect relationships to be drawn when a series of events happen!
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 and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I remember asking a specialist “if there could 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”.
Because I was much more tired than the typical MS patient – CFS made the list. Because I had tremendous pain and according to them, MS is not painful, so Fibromyalgia was another label … I pointed out to them that 8 out of 10 people in the waiting room were in pain … so who said MS is not painful?
I’d had it with the medical system and got very angry and frustrated by that 5th label.
I Began To Study Holistic And Alternative Health In Depth
Research lead me to eastern philosophies, nutritional strategies, herbal medicines by Nature's Sunshine (eventually), mental visualizations, alternative therapies and so on. The more I studied and applied them, the better all these pieces seemed to fit.
My family doctor was a big supporter and simply said “whatever you’re doing Diane, don’t stop!” and my neurologist finally threw up his hands and said check-in annually so I can document this unprecedented recovery!
People Need To Know They Have Options, Alternatives And Choice
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 disease (or achieving any 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 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 Do It And I See It Work Every Day With My Clients
All too often I hear “what did you do to get well” or “you are so lucky, you got well” - then when I tell them what I did, many will say …"Oh no, I cannot do that" or "Oh no, it is too much for me" and so on.
The methodology I'd discovered and developed into a system includes 8 dimensions and focuses on taking one small step at a time. I had always visualized the goal = “What good health would look/feel like/me” and that's why it's been part of my client counselling programs since 1994.
Thanks to my many positive experiences (and some not so positive) with Doctor's, other Holistic Health Practitioners, Herbalists, Nutritionists and 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.
The years of nutritional support I required to get my body functioning normally included real foods and large quantities of the dense herbal medicines and nutritional supplements only available from Nature's Sunshine Products. I owe a debt of gratitude to Nature's Sunshine for my recovery and ongoing good health. It is why I recommend Nature's Sunshine to others - their nutrient dense all natural herbal products simply work, every time.
In the 21st Century - Good Health Must Be A Proactive Choice
The human body requires certain basic essentials consistent with its long evolution and 21st Century 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.
My exclusive BODiWELL Health System was developed to people can attain and enjoy an optimum level of health and wellness in their lives.
If you'd like help overcoming a personal health challenge, my personal counselling, wellness coaching and support services are available in French or English. Training courses are also offered.
I invite you to discover for yourself just how effective and rewarding a natural approach to health can be.
To your lasting health and wellness,
Diane McLaren, Holistic Health Practitioner, Wellness Coach, Trainer
P.S. Today I'm playing the piano again and have 2 healthy children. If you have a condition like Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes Type II, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or any number of other simple to complex conditions, I urge you to explore your options by contacting me soon ...
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