Scleroderma-Clearing

While giving birth, my blood pressure shot up extremely high and then dropped very low. Again I was told this was quite normal. Electric shocks pulsed through my body, from feet to head. I couldn't move my limbs and was overcome with a powerful itch preventing me from concentrating on anything else. After being released from the hospital after three days, I followed up with my medical doctor, who said to wait three months and that the itchiness should recede. However, after one month the pain became unbearable. I went to a rheumatologist who ran tests and diagnosed me with scleroderma. He only told me that scleroderma is a condition of the skin, and proceeded to prescribe me steroids and an ointment. I researched on my own and learned that scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by fibrosis attacking the organs and cells.

My skin became so stiff that I eventually lost the ability to walk, move, get dressed, take care of my newborn daughter or even feed myself, as I couldn't bring the utensils to my mouth. I was constantly going to the emergency room because the pain was intolerable. They performed  MRIs and said there was no cure for this condition. They didn't know what to do except increase the steroids to 100 mg over the next one to two years. Later, I experienced shortness of breath and was diagnosed with fibrosis in the lung. I was given inhalers, more steroids and an antibiotic. I was encouraged to visit New York City to see the best rheumatologist there, but he was unable to do anything. The disease became more aggressive and I was rushed to Baltimore to another renowned rheumatologist. My case was the worst he had ever seen, and his expertise proved useless.

The doctors prescribed CellCept, an immune suppressant, increased the dosage to 3,000 mg, reduced the steroids and increased the prescription drugs. I was on Morphine, Oxycontin and Zanax, which only made my skin tighter. Although I was in my early thirties, I was confused and felt like an 80 year old woman. The doctors were very disempowering, saying things like "There is nothing you can do." I became a cripple. I couldn't shower, eat, take care of my children or walk. Amid frustration and complete desperation, I flew back to New York City to be cared for by my sister. I was in a wheelchair and couldn't function on my own. Everything hit rock bottom at the hospital in Baltimore. My sister was also diagnosed with scleroderma. As she witnessed the horrific deterioration of my body, skin and lack of functionality, she became weak. The doctors told her to prepare for my passing. She was so fearful of becoming like me, that she had a panic attack and checked herself into the ER. They overdosed her with drugs and she passed away due to cardiac failure. My family never told me she died because they didn't want me to be upset. They brought me to a nursing home and I checked out after one week. I thought I was going to die there. As my family helped me look for alternative therapies, my aunt remembered hearing of Hippocrates. I was so weak that I was unable to check in until two years later. I applied for and received a scholarship in 2007. Attending Hippocrates saved my life.

At the time I wondered, "If the medical doctors cannot do anything, how could Hippocrates help?" I was so angry about the medical industry's inability to help, but my aunt continued motivating and inspiring me to heal myself. I was anxious before my visit to Hippocrates as I had never eaten vegetables in my entire life, only starch, fast food, chocolate and a lot of junk. I was in a mental fog and couldn't take it any longer. When I arrived at Hippocrates, I chose to came off all of the drugs at once. The program took a bit of adjusting to, but was a priceless experience. I learned how to live properly for the first time. I quickly started detoxing in the first week and temporarily felt like a lifeless zombie. During the second week my energy was very low, I couldn't sleep and I experienced shortness of breath. By the third week things turned around. Learning from other guests, I became more positive. I met a girl facing cancer, with amputated legs and confined to a wheelchair. She quickly brought things into perspective. "How can a girl with no legs and cancer laugh and be at peace?" was all I could think. She was so motivating. Everything changed once I developed a positive mind-set. I prayed, meditated and made peace with all that surrounded me by letting go of anger and forgiving myself and others.

After experiencing the Life Change Program firsthand, I can say that anything is possible once you release the fear and learn to relax, breathe and think positively. I"m currently following the Hippocrates program and eating 100 percent raw and living vegan foods. My energy has increased and now I can move, walk, shop and take care of my kids. I can live again. I'm a new Clara! It's amazing to have an entirely new outlook on life. I was saved by my own willpower, but it was also about adapting to a new way of life. Hippocrates showed me how to take care of my health in a way that I never thought possible. I live each day as if it were my last and let go of all negativities. As soon as you open up, you allow the healing to begin. I truly believe that eating raw and living foods to promote detoxification is the key to healing. I now help at Hippocrates taking care of guests, comforting them and giving them the motivation I received during my visit. Being here is a true blessing.

Vol 30 Issue 1 page 20