healing! happy reading

[Guest guest]

List members have heard me mention www.iahp.org and how amazing their program is

(and they have been -- by the medical profession, not parents) unsung heros for

about 50 years, getting kids and adults better).

?

Now there's a book by a parent with a child with Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome)

that sounds like it's worth reading.? I came upon this by accident researching

something totally different.

?

Here's the book review on it, and it sounds like the writer has a child with

autism, and she's excited about what she's read too.?

http://www.goodie-goodie-gumdrops.com/

?

?

Monday, September 6, 2010Book Review: Naturally Better by on

When you find out you're expecting a baby, you're probably anticipating all the

exciting milestones like hearing the heartbeat for the first time, feeling the

baby kick and watching your belly grow. You dream about what your baby will look

like, what his or her name will be and what his or her personality will be like.

on and her husband ph were no different. They were ecstatic to

learn that they were expecting their third child, a long-awaited baby boy, after

having two perfect daughters. But when their dear son Gryffin was born and

diagnosed with Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome, their worlds were turned upside

down. Instead of researching the latest, greatest blue baby gear, they were

reading medical abstracts and contemplating technical jargon like

" neurotransmitters " and " oxidative stress " .

A self-proclaimed homebirthing hippie mom, was dismayed at the lack of

positive online resources and the prevailing attitude of local Early

Intervention centers, which encouraged her to prescribe Prozac and " just buy a

big TV " . She traded her successful fashion design career for the role of

full-time medical researcher and took matters into her own hands. Her ultimate

goal was for Gryffin to be completely normalized in both appearance and

behavior. Forgoing the traditional pessimistic outlook, she set out to make the

" impossible " possible.

Naturally Better is the culmination of 's research and methodology,

interspersed with diary entries, emails and texts. Using a holistic approach,

chronicles Gryffin's treatments and progress from 5 days old to 3 years

old. Some of the therapies she describes in detail are:

Flaxseed oil massage Diet / Targeted Nutritional Intervention (TNI)

Supplementation Naturopathy/NAET Allergy Relief Osteopathy Yoga IAHP (Institutes

for the Achievement of Human Potential)

I was simply amazed at Gryffin's transformation. Just a few months after

starting supplements, noticed he appeared less drowsy and more alert.

His skin turned from jaundice to red and rosy, almost sunburned. Thick, blonde

hair also started to grow where it had once been sparse and mousy. NAET

treatments helped to quickly heal symptoms such as astigmatism, constipation,

skin rashes, weak grasp and tongue protrusion. Osteopathy helped to lift

Gryffin's nasal bridge and dramatically reduce his epicanthal folds, thereby

resolving his sleep apnea. By the time Gryffin began the IAHP program at

one-year-old, he was functioning at 83% brain function, which was fantastic in

and of itself. But by two-and-a-half, Gryffin was operating at 114%! This meant

he was no longer underperforming in any one area, and was actually performing

ahead of his " normal " peers! His pediatrician is astounded that not only does

Gryffin show nearly no characteristics of a typical child with Down Syndrome,

but he is growing along a " normal " growth curve.

also shares personal color photos of Gryffin from birth through age

three, in which the changes over time are blatantly obvious. To look at him now,

you would be hard-pressed to know that he has Down Syndrome. He looks like your

average, beautiful tow-headed toddler!

I loved that the book was written in layman's terms and doesn't bore you with

mundane medical terms. You may be more conservative or you may not agree with

all of her approaches (such as no vaccinations) but as a parent, you have to

respect and admire the lengths she'll go to give her son the life she had

imagined for him. always follows her gut and instinct and the drastic

results they've witnessed are due in large part to her relentless determination.

One particularly emotional part for me was when Gryffin was just a few days old

and had a private conversation with him, assuring him she would do

everything in her power to find a solution. She then recited the words to

Coldplay's " Fix You " ( " Lights will guide you home, I will try to fix you " ...). I

admit I welled up a little as I imagined this scene being played out like a

melodrama.

Seeing as Nate is dealing with a significant speech delay (for which we are

currently seeking early intervention), I was comforted that some of 's

natural methods are not exclusive to Down Syndrome but can also be used for

Autism and Developmental Delays. After reading this book, I feel so empowered to

be an advocate for my son and to never settle for anything less than what my

hopes and dreams are for him. No matter what the naysayers may throw my way.

Naturally Better is an awe-inspiring, empowering story about defying the odds.

Even if you don't have a child with Down Syndrome, it will open your eyes to the

benefits of homeopathy and maybe even move you to tears.

BUY IT: You can purchase paperback or e-book versions of Naturally Better online

via www.naturallybetterkids.com (ARV $25.39 excl. international postage or

$15.45/e-book).

Down Syndrome Awareness Month is coming up in October! Be sure to visit the

website to learn more about the book and follow on Facebook and Twitter

for the latest news and updates!

Speak with Him Thou for He hearest.

Spirit with Spirit can speak.

Closer is Love than breathing,

Nearer than hands and feet.

(with appreciation for Tennyson)