NOTE: I’ve been living with a disability for over 26 years. Since then I’ve heard countless ways that people try in order to feel better and overcome their challenges.
I don’t endorse any medications or any path for a person to try. I believe we each must find what works best for our own unique journey.
The following is the story of one man's journey.
One of my personal and professional goals is to change the face of disability. To change the way people look at illness, and to take a step closer toward a better understanding of the human condition.
Because of the indomitable spirit of the author of the book, "Shadow Summit: One Man, His Diagnosis, And The Road To A Vibrant Life” I decided to do a book review to illustrate a story of one person's dedication to finding answers to better health.
Photo: JonChandonnet.com
Jon Chandonnet was completing his Master’s Degree program at MIT with a promising job offer from Sapient when, at age 27, he received a shattering diagnosis.
He had Multiple Sclerosis.
But Jon didn’t have time for MS. It wasn't a part of his plan for success, and he would not let anything stand in his way.
He chose to ignore his disease. He remained in denial for six years, setting out to prove to himself, and to everyone around him at work and at home, that he didn’t have an autoimmune disease.
He ran in several marathons. He climbed mountain after mountain, some with peaks over 14,000 feet.
He thought he found his answer: keep MS at bay by running and climbing.
His family remained supportive of his choices. Until the MS finally caught up with him, and his life began to crumble.
He lost function in his limbs and was unable to keep up the fast pace at his job. His speech became affected, and he was falling down.
He began to lose hope.
The last straw happened on his wedding day, when he gathered all of his energy to finish his first dance with his lovely new bride. Barely making it through the dance, he realized his MS was beginning to win the battle.
Fortunately for Jon, his family held an intervention, showing him through tough love that he must begin paying attention to his MS.
After trying FDA approved disease-modifying medications, he decided they weren't working. Then Jon learned about the Optimum Health Institute (OHI) in San Diego where, since its opening in 1976, “over 75,000 people from around the world had visited…to improve not only their health, but also their lives.”
Jon signed up to try the Institute for one week.
Once there, he ate raw foods, drank water and Rejuvelac, became mindful of what he put into his body, and occasionally spent days fasting.
“Digestion placed a huge metabolic load on the body that was lifted when a person ate raw plant-based foods and cleansed their color. The energy used to digest enzyme-depleted, cooked food, was freed to help the body heal. Raw food meant less effort for my struggling body, and possibly resulted in more energy.”
After three weeks his body began to respond to the program, and eventually it reversed many of his MS symptoms.
The results from the program were amazing, and he learned a new mantra that he planned on living by for the rest of his life:
Mind, Body, Spirit and Emotion
Paying attention to these four areas would help him achieve his dreams of professional and financial success.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspirational books, and for people looking for a new way to look at disease. I found it a little long-winded at times, but generally it was a quick and interesting read.
Read more of Jon’s book to learn about the rest of his incredible journey. (Book release date is November 2013. It will be available on Amazon.com)
END NOTE: For anyone faced with a physical challenge, find what works best for you. Be our own best advocate by asking questions, doing research, following your instincts and never settling for an answer unless it feels right to you.
Above all, respect and honor another person’s journey, and their successes, as you would want them to honor yours.
That is what will help us begin to change the face of disability.
What challenges have you faced?
Very interesting. My son has Crohn's disease, also an autoimmune disease with no cure. He is on medication, but the medicines scare me. I would love for him to try natural and/or food based remedies, but he won't listen to me in this area and he's an adult so there isn't anything I can do.
Do you think you might try this. Can you do it without living in or near San Diego?
Have you ever checked out "Disability is Natural?" I haven't heard them speak but understand she's great, and right in line with your mission. Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a great read. I love the idea of healing yourself with the right diet. I don't have a chronic illness but I know how much different and better I feel when I'm eating right. Thanks for sharing this.
Interesting, Cathy. My doctor has been touting the caveman diet to help curtain chronic autoimmune illness. Jon may be on to something here. Thanks for sharing.
I'm always interested to hear how people tackle health challenges like this. I've heard of the benefits of a raw food diet. I wish we could see more about fighting disease with a holistic approach and not just meds first.
I know Jon personally and can tell you his journey from triathlete, to wheelchair-bound, to a healthy, balanced husband, father and friend is nothing short of amazing. The first time I saw him "back in the office" and out of a wheelchair, my jaw hit the ground. Truly inspiring and pragmatic.
Cathy, as always, you are an inspiration to all of us! You help many with your great attitude and honesty.
Cathy, you are Never Whiny 😫 Always Informative, Friendly, Open, Honest. I needed this 🤦♀️😎❤️👍🦅🇺🇸🌸🐝🌏✌🏼
Reading about your life around your illness is empowering. Your blog title is spot on!
GREAT read Cathy! Completely agree that there are indeed blessings that arrive with this "fantastical" disease and feel very fortunate to be able to find them:)
It's normal to wonder if you're coming across as too whiny. I worry about it all the time (and probably do come off that way). But I love this post. Too often I hear people act as if having a disease or even being a little bit different is the end of the world. One can not only make peace with the less than great things that happen to us, but also grow and find blessings in them. Thanks for the reminder.
I know several people with MS but of them all, you are the one who steps out and puts a face to the illness and a personality. You help people understand a little of what it's like. I truly believe you have a greater purpose and this is it.
If anyone can be the person who gives chronic illness visibility and legitimacy, it is you! You open your heart to your readers and bring information and empathy to every post. You are an amazing person whom I am proud to call my friend, and a gift to the MS and disability communities. And the wider community, too! Thank you for being YOU. xo
Cathy,
Whiny you're not—only brave and honest and strong—a true empowered Spirit!
Each time I read your posts, I learn something—especially gratitude.
To have learned the following on your journey tells so much about your growth as a person:
"...and to know the value of a single day."
How don't I take many days for granted!
Your post reminds me of a book I've just read, How to live a happy life, with a chronic illness, by Bridget McNulty. Like yourself—she's honest and brave and effervescent.
So appropriate that it was International Woman's Day yesterday.
It's an honor and inspiration to know women of such sturdy fabric!
Keep doing what you're doing, Cathy!
Even with your great attitude, I still wish you did not have MS.