Drema is one of those clients that threw me for a loop when I first met her. I was referred to give her massages due to her pain. That’s all I was told. I had no idea what I was walking into. She was in her 40’s. Her pain was due to an automobile accident, and not just a simple fender bender.
When she was 14 she was walking and was hit by a car on her left side. She was in a coma for over 9 months. She underwent several surgeries to repair the crushing of her bones, skull, and damage to her internal organs. I was freaked! I was walking in on a woman who had been bed ridden most of MY life. She couldn’t hold up her head, sit on her own, or do much of anything really but lay in a bed propped with pillows. She did have some use of her right arm, but it was very unstable and wild.
At first she scared me. She was angry, she yelled, cried, and she didn’t remember me every time I came. Sometimes her mind would go into a bad memory she experienced years ago and she’d shout and grab me with her right arm which was very strong and unstable as though she was back in that moment. I’d have to snap her out of it. I’d repeat who I was several times during a treatment and why I was there. At times I would feel so emotionally overwhelmed that I after her massage I would go and sit in my car and cry. I would ask myself “Can I do this?”, “Why am I here?”, “Can I even help her?”
She was filled with so much frustration. I didn’t know what to do. She kept moaning that she wanted to WALK. Clearly that didn’t seem that it was going to happen. After all, she had no use of her entire left side. She had been in a bed over 20 years. Her muscles were atrophied, or scarred. She couldn’t sit on her own, she had to be propped with pillows in a bed. She couldn’t even brush her own hair. Her right arm was all she had and it was very shaky, besides that think of a 3 month old baby and their physical abilities. That’s just about where she was, but she could communicate. She would yell out demands of what she wanted others to do for her and her mother and sister would run and do whatever they could for her.
One day after a tough session I just decided if she wanted to walk then I was going to do whatever I could do to make that happen. She had already gone through years of unsuccessful therapy by trained doctors and therapists with minimal results. I had no idea how I would do it, but I didn’t care. I’d find a way.
Months passed by of me stretching her, making her body go through the motions of getting up, rolling over, trying to make her to as many exercises as she could, even if it was just lifting her head and trying to do a crunch in bed. She’d be dripping with sweat and exhausted after an hour “workout”.
Little by little she responded. Muscles that had not moved in 20 years started to wiggle. Her left leg started to move. Her left arm would start to move back and forth. She even began gripping with her left hand which was crushed, filled with scars, and had undergone several surgeries. She began holding up her head and turning it in all directions.
I soon realized her memory was improving. She knew who I was, remembered our visits and what were doing. I began enjoying seeing Drema. I loved her determination and drive. I enjoyed the challenge. I enjoyed experimenting with her and challenging her to see what she was capable of.
Little by little I noticed her fine motor skills were improving, but I knew the mind MUSCLES needed a workout too! So, I wrote out affirmations for her to type on her computer keyboard with the right hand. Affirmations like, “I can brush my own hair”, “I can sit up on my own”, I can brush my own teeth” and of course, “I am walking”.
She has able to wiggle herself into her wheelchair.
And buckle her own seat belt using both hands! She was gaining use of her body parts again.
I helped her get out of bed……
to go and sit down in a chair other than her wheelchair….
She is exhausted from so much exertion!
What a satisfying feeling to see her in a chair for the first time in over 20 years!
Next, came sitting on things other than chairs. I wanted her to be able to use a bathroom again. When was the last time you felt thankful that you could use the bathroom?
So, I continued to help her walk. Her steps were improving. Just like a baby in a walker, I considered myself her life-sized walker! Tough stuff! I was sweating too!
I wanted her to put herself in bed from a standing. We would go back and forth from being in bed to getting up and standing for an hour sometimes.
Now I wanted her to stand on her own for the first time!
She’s “cheating” a bit here by leaning on my chest, but pretty darn close!
A little wobbly!
I wanted her to be able to support her own body weight…..and she did it! Drema is standing on her own!
This was probably more exciting and rewarding than watching my own children learning to stand and walk on their own. Never underestimate what a determined mind can do. She was told she’d never do these things and here she is. Believe, because nothing is impossible.
As Wayne Dyer likes to say, “Nobody knows enough to be a pessimist.” Anything the mind can perceive we can achieve. She had the determination, the drive! We went through sweat and tears….and after a year she did walk!
Any woman who has ever yearned to give her child the very best start in life possible…
Any mother who has felt the need to go against the grain of society’s standard parenting protocol because she knew there was a better way to live and to love…
Any mother who has ever questioned the status quo and believed that life and parenthood and the health of children could be better than it is, then what I am about to show you is something you’ve been waiting for.
“The Raw Mom Summit” is an online event starting on June 22nd and ending on June 30th. For 9 days and 9 nights the wisdom, experience and understanding of over 30 passionate health pioneers and some of the world’s leading experts in alternative health, are bringing their voices together in the name of building healthy families and empowered leaders of the next generation.
You can learn more about this FREE online event by clicking HERE.
Chances like this don’t happen every day.When you sign up for THIS, you’re a part of history in the making. Anyone who registers for this event will look back on it as an experience that transformed they way they think about life, love and parenting.
If you leave it until the last minute and miss your chance to be a part of this, you’ll regret it. It’s a FREE program and I highly recommend you SIGN UP and invite your friends and loved ones to do the same by forwarding them this announcement.
Here’s to the the next generation’s right to lead empowered, healthy lives beyond what we can imagine today.
In love and health,
Lori
P.S. Keep in touch, because I’d love to hear what you think of the calls as they happen!
As many of you know I am a mother of 2 children. My son, Alex just had his 13th birthday and my daughter, Mehgan is almost 11. “School” has just ended for the summer. We have now offically completed our 3rd year of homeschool and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am focused on preparing my kids for the real world and am interested in teaching them the things that I find are missing in traditional school systems such as health, enjoying life, and sharing your passion. Entrepreneurship is something we are learning together. I only wish I had this as a kid growing up, but it’s never too late. As a homeschooling mother, I find that learning is everywhere!
Over the years we have made many changes towards living a healthier lifestyle. Being a single working mom presented some challenges also. However, we have been able to accomplish so many of our goals. As we go along, it seems more opportunities for growth and improvement are constantly being presented. Who knows where it will lead us next.
About a month ago, I was humbled to be invited by Shannon Leone and Tera Warner of RawMom.com for the up-coming Raw Mom Summit. We spent an hour talking about transitioning my children who were used to eating the SAD diet (Standard American Diet) into a high raw diet. As many of you know, I have also been working on my bikini body challenge. I make it a priority to workout very regularly and stay very active. In my interview, I share my tips for staying fit as a busy mom. As a mom it is important for me to give my kids the best support and upbringing for a successful future and I share resources that helped us along the way.
I am amazed by all the wonderful information available on The Raw Mom Summit webpage . Shannon has compiled in over 30 interviews with such an incredible and diverse group of people. Please check out http://www.rawmomsummit.com/ and see how valuble these interviews are to mothers.
RAW MOM SUMMIT Starting MONDAY JUNE 22nd, 2009
What if you could gather together some of the most inspirational health leaders in the world and get them together in the same place for 9 days to discuss the subjects of nutrition, pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and other family health care issues?
What if you could get YOUR concerns addressed about how to succeed on a healthy diet or how to feed your children the best food? What if you could finally get answers to your questions about:
* What to do about Fertility, Ovulation and Conscious Conception? * How to prepare for a Healthy Pregnancy, Labor and Childbirth? * What is Attachment Parenting? * Which natural remedies to use when your children are sick? * How to feed a meat-eating partner if you are vegetarian or vegan? * What should you feed yourself when you’re overwhelmed with cravings? * How to get kids excited and involved in their own food-prep? * What to do when our kids rebel against our healthy diet? * What is going on with the Bees and why is it so important? * How to shrink our Carbon Footprint? * What is Sustainability and Permaculture? * What Super Foods are BEST for kids? * Exactly what IS the healthiest diet? * What are the best ways to Raise Children Naturally? * What are the lesser-known common pit-falls of a Raw Food Diet? * Which foods help or hinder our Hormones? * What are the issues around Veganism, B-12 and Protein? * What do Raw children eat? * How to get picky eaters to crave their veggies? * Which foods help kids transition and stick to a healthier diet? * What are the other Top Lifestyle Factors besides diet for longevity?
What if you could get the answers to all these questions and a WHOLE LOT MORE while washing dishes in your pajamas and bouncing a babe on your hip at the same time?
Sound too good to be true?
Well, not if we’re talking about an exciting new event that has been put together by two self-employed mothers with the spunk and determination to get these questions answered by some of the most outstanding experts in the world!
“It’s time to bring together the Leaders in our community and inspire women as the heartbeat of their homes, to be the change we NEED to see in the world. It’s time that we tell the world that the Evolution of Motherhood has arrived!”
Healthy living is multi-dimensional and sometimes I can get stuck in few aspects of health, but health is another word for balance which is another word for moderation. It’s about balancing several aspects of healthy living and figuring out how many healthy habits can I adopt. It’s about having a full and satisfying life.
Fundamental Elements of Health Are you thriving or surviving?
Sunshine and natural light Comfortable temperature Clean fresh air Pure water Eat foods for which we are biologically designed Pleasant environment Security of life and its means Satisfaction of aesthetic senses (beauty) Biophilia (love of nature) Internal and external cleanliness Enjoy sufficient sleep Enjoy rest and relaxation Vigorous activity Play and recreation Smiles Love and appreciation Self control and self mastery Self confidence Positive self image and sense of self worth Individual sovereignty Emotional poise and stability Peace, harmony, serenity, and tranquility Thought, cogitation, and meditation Inspiration, motivation, purpose, commitment Creative, useful work (pursuit of interests) Music and all other arts Human touch Expression of reproductive instincts (sex) Friendships and companionship Gregariousness (social relationships, community) Amusement and entertainment Sense of humor, mirth, and merriment
After evaluating where I am, I found a deepened sense to move back to Hawaii to enjoy the fresh air, comfortable temperature, clean water, beauty, nature, and sense of peace. I want to create my home as a wellness sanctuary with a lush edible landscape in paradise!
Continuing on, I could probably use an internal cleanse and more vigorous activity (even though I am healing from an ankle injury).
Also, I’d like to utilize more self control. I still feel that I lose focus and tend to revert on progress I make at times. Albeit, the bikini body challenge is one of them. In the sense of good health, I’d like a romantic companion, more human touch, sex, laughter, play, and a stronger sense of merriment. I feel like I am out of balance with these. Sometimes I forget to have fun, laugh and be carefree.
I need to put up my vision board. That always kept me on track. I don’t know why I took it down. Perhaps it was a bit dated. Well, it’s time to post a new vision board! I want a healthy life and feel inspired after looking at these photos.
I am going to keep adding to my list of healthy habits. It’s about outweighing the bad with good and eventually no longer having habits that do not serve me or my health. Here’s to health and living an inspired life.
Isn’t it funny how we would view the world and behave if we knew our days were limited? Fact is, we tend to take life for granted. Nobody knows when our day is up. If we did, would we do things differently? I use this scenario of “if this was my last day” for me to regain perspective on my life. This is how I want to live everyday. I want to stay here rather than get swept into the small stuff that doesn’t enrich my life. At the end of my life. I want to know that I conducted my life in this fashion.
1. Love and savor the people in my life like my kids, family and friends 2. Make amends with anyone I needed 3. Watch more sunrises and sunsets 4. Feel thankful for the opportunity to be alive 5. Inspire free living and follow the beat of my own drum 6. Live lightly 7. Eat well 8. Exercise 9. Keep learning and sharing my journey 10. Live in peace 11. Be more loving, patient and compassionate, be more tolerant, and forgiving 12. Forgive and love myself 13. Have more fun 14. Laugh until I have cramps in my side 15. Wake up early 16. Smile until my cheeks cramp 17. Leave my voice to share with my kids 18. Surround myself with my favorite things & create a private retreat 19. Hang out at an outdoor spa 20. Love my dog 21. Make someone else’s day a little easier or better, brighten someone else’s day 22. Enjoy the sun, spend more time outdoors and have picnics 23. Make more videos & blogs 24. Get off the TV and PC and experience living 25. Read to my kids and cuddle at night 26. Do more things that my kids enjoy doing like hide and seek in the dark 27. Do something different each day 28. Hug more 29. Celebrate my uniqueness 30. Make it a point to find the joy in my life and carry a carefree attitude
These things rejuvenate me, bring out the best in me, and remind me to celebrate the gift of life.
1. Loving my life, my kids 2. Writing in my gratitude journal 3. Envision my life direction (vision board or programming) 4. Reading “Levels of Human Consciousness” for Enlightenment in “Power vs Force” 5. Yoga 6. Getting a massage 7. Sun bathing & reading a good book 8. Meditating in the sauna 9. Dancing to awesome music 10. Fasting 11. Eating raw food 12. Sharing a conversation with someone who is AWAKE 13. Learning something new 14. Turning people on to transparent living 15. A day of silence
I almost forgot making love would be on this list too…hmmm… back to those romance videos 🙂
If you are running through life feeling overwhelmed and not really making the impact you know you want, or wishing you felt alive and filled with passion then you are going to LOVE me!
She has able to wiggle herself into her wheelchair.
And buckle her own seat belt using both hands! She was gaining use of her body parts again. 
I helped her get out of bed……
to go and sit down in a chair other than her wheelchair….
She is exhausted from so much exertion!
What a satisfying feeling to see her in a chair for the first time in over 20 years!
Next, came sitting on things other than chairs. I wanted her to be able to use a bathroom again. When was the last time you felt thankful that you could use the bathroom?
So, I continued to help her walk. Her steps were improving. Just like a baby in a walker, I considered myself her life-sized walker! Tough stuff! I was sweating too!
I wanted her to put herself in bed from a standing. We would go back and forth from being in bed to getting up and standing for an hour sometimes.
Now I wanted her to stand on her own for the first time!
A little wobbly!
