Tales of Healing
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Autism is Curable – Tales of Healing
The following individuals have benefitted from biomedical intervention, funded in part by Autism is Curable.
Jacob
Jacob is a 10 years old boy who has been diagnosed as Autistic/Seizure Disorder/Other Health Impaired.
Jacob was born on August 28, 1998 and was a healthy, normal baby. Jacob appeared to have a normal early childhood. He was rarely sick.
The first turning point in Jacob’s life came just before his fourth birthday. He had a viral throat infection and his fever spiked suddenly causing him to seize. His parents took him to the emergency room where he was diagnosed as having a febrile seizure i.e. a seizure brought on by a sudden and high elevation of temperature. His pediatrician thought that any number of things could happen for Jacob (e.g. never seize again, seizures only with high fever or epilepsy). They took and wait and watch approach.
Everything seemed fine until just before Jacob turned six. His mother, Linda, noticed something was off but could not pinpoint what it was. During a move to a new home, Jacob asked to play with a toy that was being packed – three times. Each time Linda said he could play with it when they arrived at the new home. Each time Jacob seemed fine with that only to return a few minutes later and ask the same question.
School started a couple months later. Jacob was enrolled in the public school after having been home schooled prior to that. Jacob’s teachers reported he wouldn’t listen, he wouldn’t conform and he was unruly. They felt he was ADD or ADHD and thought he should be on Ritalin. Linda pushed for testing. Unfortunately, Jacob would not answer 90% of the questions and was labeled mentally retarded. Linda knew this was just wrong. Around the same time she took Jacob to a MacDonald’s with a playplace. While on the equipment he had a seizure. His EKG tested normal so Linda took him to a psychologist at a major teaching hospital. Again, Ritalin was mentioned which Linda did not feel was appropriate for Jacob, so she took Jacob out of school and started home schooling again.
The next four years were spent going to different pediatricians, neurologists, and other doctors. They tried a week in a lock-down facility with bad results. They tried different prescribed drugs and different doses, maxing out on some of the drugs. Linda worried about the toxicity and his reactions to all the medications. All the while, Jacob’s seizure activity increased to the point that was having four to five seizures a day.
In 2008, Linda found a biomedical doctor who was affiliated with DAN (Defeat Autism Now). Jacob was started on MB-12 shots and a ketogenic diet. The diet, which is high-fat, low carbohydrates, has been found to help control seizures in some people. The doctor tested him for heavy metals and it was found he has a high level of arsenic in his body. They are working on detoxifying Jacob, especially his liver affected by all the medicine he has needed to take to control his seizures. It seems to be controlling the ear infections he was getting regularly. But the seizures still had not been eliminated.
Linda then heard about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. She spoke to Jacob’s biomedical doctor, heads of clinics in Florida and California, and a doctor on the east coast. Linda learned that the Hyperbaric Chamber has been used successfully to treat children suffering from seizures. The child is put in a chamber where pressure is increased gradually and they breathe pure oxygen. The combination of pressure and oxygen seems to result in greater amounts of oxygen being dissolved into the bloodstream. This in turn results in greater amounts of oxygen absorbed into the cerebral cells. Epileptic seizures can be controlled or eliminated which prevents the occurrence of abnormal behavior and damage sometimes caused by seizures.
This was exciting information. Linda talked with her friends and family in an effort to locate treatment near home for Jacob. Again her prayers were answered when she a found a clinician experienced in HBOT treatment nearby who prescribed 120 chamber hours for Jacob. However, the cost would be $180 per hour. Linda prepared to sell her house and the community prepared a fund-raising event to help. She talked to the east coast doctor again who said, I think I know someone who can help you.
Linda was put in touch with Autism is Curable. AIC provided Jacob with use of a portable hyperbaric chamber. Jacob began HBOT treatment in September, 2008. Jacob would spend one hour in the morning and one in the evening in the chamber. He completed his initial 120 sessions in December, 2008. During this time period, there were no seizures.
When his Dad asked if it helped and where did it help him, Jacob pointed to his head and said “here”. His teacher called home and said whatever you are doing, keep doing it; he’s greatly improved. The chamber, together with the ketogenic diet and lowered epilepsy medicine dosage have made a big improvement to Jacob’s life and he is better able to take advantage of tutoring, speech and occupational therapy. He has had to be “off” the chamber for a couple of weeks before starting another 40 sessions. During this time he has experienced a couple of slight seizures but he was still able to hear and respond to whoever was talking to him. Linda finally feels some hope that her dreams for normalcy are possible. She is tremendously grateful for the help she received from Autism Is Curable in the form of the portable chamber and hopes she can share her knowledge with other parents going through similar problems.
Johanna Herrera
Johanna Herrera was born on June 26, 2001 and developed as a healthy, normal baby. Johanna did everything quickly from saying Mama and Dada to walking. Her mother, Ann, noticed that her toddler began regressing after receiving her vaccinations, which spiked high fevers. Ann noticed Johanna was to the point of being behind in development. Johanna was no longer talking. She had repetitive hand movements and screamed a lot. Johanna’s pediatrician diagnosed Johanna as autistic. Ann took Johanna to a neurologist who confirmed the diagnosis.
Ann was able to enroll Johanna in an early intervention program and occupational therapy, but it just did not seem to be helping much. Johanna is currently in a special education class through the regular school system but it is not enough. There are seven students with one teacher and an aid. They are on a waiting list for speech therapy. Johanna’s family would like to see the school provide some one-on-one time with Johanna which they feel, is desperately needed but the school administration says there just aren’t enough funds available.
One of Johanna’s teachers sent home a paper regarding use of HBOT. Ann’s sister, Debbie, researched it and found a doctor who could give her more information. The doctor advised Debbie to call Autism is Curable, which advised them to contact a DAN! physician.
Johanna received an extensive work-up and evaluation with Dr. James Neubrander. Johanna was started on MB-12 shots three times per week in January, 2009. Since that time Johanna has experienced some notable changes. She has started to speak and says one or two words and attempts sentences. She can now go to the bathroom by herself and can take the bus to school with assistance. She is sleeping better, her appetite has improved and she eats better. Johanna has always loved to sing, but now when she sings you can hear the words and they are understandable. The repetitive hand movements are almost gone. Johanna tolerates the shots, even likes them, because she knows it makes her feel better.
The next step in Johanna’s biomedical treatment is daily shots of MB-12 and add more vitamins to her diet. Ann, with the help of Debbie, is trying to enroll Johanna into a private educational program. Johanna’s condition has been difficult to manage, but she is improving, and Ann and Debbie are determined to get the help Johanna needs.