Pages

Subscribe:

Blogger templates

Blogroll

About

Pages - Menu

Monday 26 December 2016

Check out our latest newsletter and our big announcement! #autism #autismdiet

December 2016

Dear AHA Friends,

We at AHA can’t believe how fast this year flew by! Since we last spoke in July we attended 3 National Conferences across the US, attended 2 Health Expo’s, participated in 2 fundraisers for AHA and donated our time at an awareness event sharing our message of Hope and Help.

We are so much greater in numbers and we are proud to announce to our growing AHA Family our latest partners:

Beach Organics Skin Care  

Houston Enzymes

Innovative Nutraceuticals

     Vitamin Friends

Desert Farms

Please check out their websites to learn more about them!

We are also excited to announce our latest Network Affiliates:

Califia Farms

Organic Gemini- TigerNut

Bob’s Red Mill

Nutra Links

Please check out their websites for more info.

If you haven’t checked out our FB page you are missing out! We have too many giveaways to count from all of our wonderful partners and affiliates.

In 2016, we were able to give nearly $200k in donations to families from our generous partners and affiliates! We at AHA couldn’t do it without them and we are so grateful to get to work with the best of the best giving options to families to try or learn about.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

We at AHA have a new program we are unrolling in 2017! It is called: The Gift of Hope. The program is designed to support families of children with Autism. The gift is made possible by means of the generous donations of our sponsors and contains essential nutritional products. Families that are approved will receive a one month supply of three to four products every month for a year, after which, they can re-qualify

.

In order to qualify for the program you must fill out a scholarship form and it is a first come, first serve basis. As we raise more dollars for the program, we will be able to gift more scholarships and will pull from those that have submitted first. This program is a dream come true for AHA as our belief is a child or individual that feels good can do good. Make sure to go to the site to fill out your scholarship application:

http://ift.tt/2iaT9or

We at AHA wish you and your family and happy and healthy Winter Season!

See you in 2017!

Warmest regards,

Kristin

Kristin Selby Gonzalez, President

Mother of Jaxson, age 14 (diagnosed with autism)

 

The post Check out our latest newsletter and our big announcement! appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2ixauVe
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Wednesday 14 December 2016

Beach Drawings #autism #autismdiet

So this video is almost 4 min and might seem like no big deal. Some might even wonder how could I be so excited?! Well, Jax in the history of going to the beach has never drawn by himself in the sand. Typically it’s me w his help. He is often anxious and nervous to try stuff… today he did it all by himself…. telling me each random animal he wanted to draw… I was so excited and as we left I couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheek as I watched him run happily on the sand. I get my booty kicked by autism often and moments like this remind me to never give up that he is in there… even w limited language… this took years…. I knew he could do it! Never give up… our kids are in there… I will always be this kiddos biggest cheerleader! Go Jax Go!! #autism #nevergiveup #neverstopbelieving

Click Here To Watch Video

http://ift.tt/2gBqdRJ

 

The post Beach Drawings appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2hFK8UD
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Wednesday 7 December 2016

Making Lemonade out of lemons #autism #autismdiet

Sometimes it’s the smaller things in life that mean the most! So yesterday as I was in my meetings in my office, I heard Jax in his room with his father and his therapist and he sounded quite upset. I couldn’t help him as I was in the middle of the call. So I just prayed silently that he would start to do better. As that call ended and my nxt call was minutes away I ran into see what the issue was. He was crying and was upset. He saw me and smiled briefly. I had a new coloring book with me and gave to him in hopes it might help. It did for a bit. As I jumped on the nxt call I started to hear him again get upset. Again, nothing I could do at the moment but pray. I finished up that call and started the nxt. Luckily, that would be my last scheduled call for the day. As that call wrapped up I headed to his room. He instantly said, “In N Out Fries” which is a treat for him. I looked at the clock knowing therapy was slated for another 2 hours still. So I said in a couple hours. He again said, “In N Out Fries.” So I calculated the time and said ok and told him to use the restroom first and we would go. I looked at the therapist and asked her if she minded taking a car ride with us. She happily agreed. As we got in the car, Jax was very excited. Perhaps he just needed a break like all of us do at times. He selected the music station he wanted to listen to and away we went. In the drive thru line I asked Jax if he wanted a lemonade at Chick-Fil-A which is nxt door to In N Out. He said yes. Again this is a special treat for him and he knows that. So we get the fries and I proceed to drive out of the parking lot forgetting about the lemonade. As I am about to turn to head towards the street Jax says loudly, “Lemonade!” I stop in my tracks realizing I had forgotten but, more importantly so amazed he didn’t and that he vocalized it! I had to back up illegally as another car was approaching fast and I wanted him to know I heard him! I was so happy and just in awe of him! I wanted to shout, “My son just asked for a lemonade! Don’t you know how big a deal that is!” As I handed him the lemonade his smile beamed!15283943_10211015229685719_7730230075601825215_n
I know to some that might not be that big of a deal but to me it was everything! I could actually give my son who never wants for anything something he really wanted and was able to ask for!
I know our kiddos are in there and I will never give up helping unlock that door!
Even writing this brings tears to my eyes as I will never forget that moment ever and every time I see a Chick-fil-A, I will remember that day! I am so glad I got in the car to get him fries, as what a gift he gave me. #lemonade#nevergiveup #autism #chickfila

The post Making Lemonade out of lemons appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2gD6C4r
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Friday 2 December 2016

Are you afraid to get your child’s blood drawn? #autism #autismdiet

Autism, Hope, Biomedical, diet, Autism Hope alliance


 

Introducing an easier way for your child to get their blood drawn!

Meet Christopher Hayward, Certified Phlebotomist – Game changer for our kiddos 04-lpro1024qhprcvf-1

AHA   Let’s start out by explaining to those what is a phlebotomist  ?

CH   A phlebotomist is the person who draws the blood.

AHA   Is there a difference between what you do and someone in a “typical” blooddraw lab does?

CH   No, there is no difference other than I will draw the blood from a patient in the comfort of their own home which results in a calmer more comfortable approach.

AHA   We know many of our families agonize over getting bloodwork done because often our kiddos have a difficult time.  You seem to be able to work with our families with such ease.  If the patient needs more time to feel comfortable is that an issue for you?

CH   Not at all, I will take as much time as needed and have done that many times.  Luckily, I am a good stick and will usually get the blood drawn on the first try.

AHA   Can you explain what a mobile phlebotomist is?

CH   A mobile phlebotomist draws blood from a patient according to what was ordered by a physician in the comfort of a patient’s own home or work.  Once it is drawn, I will spin the blood down, if needed, and then take it to the lab or mail the test if it involves a specialty test or kit.

AHA   What motivated you to want to become a mobile phlebotomist?

CH   I saw a need, especially with special needs children and children with seizures who need their blood drawn prior to taking a morning dose of medication but labs are typically not open this early in the morning. 

image3

AHA   Can you explain the steps that happen once you arrive to paint a better picture to those reading this?

CH   I am usually contacted by the parents or patient themselves.  We will schedule a time that is most convenient for both of us, taking into account fasting and non-fasting lab orders.  Once I arrive, I will assess the situation, sometimes this involves discussing it with the parents, other times I will discuss things with the child.  Many times, they are in an area of the home that is comfortable to them, often watching TV or using an iPad or tablet.  I will answer any questions that parents or kids may have, often the kids ask “will it hurt?”.  I will need to feel the veins and use a tourniquet on the arm.  A small butterfly needle is used to get the blood.  I have learned to change the tubes quickly as I am drawing and often the entire procedure is done before the child realizes.

AHA   Do patients need any special paperwork in order to have you come to their home?

CH   Just a lab order is needed from their doctor.

AHA   Most kids have crazy schedules, do you accommodate and work around that to schedule a time that is convenient?

CH   Yes, of course.  I will come to the home before the kids go to school or after they return.  I often will see patients on the weekend as well so that I do not interfere with their school schedule.

AHA   You are located in Southern California. What cities do you travel to?

CH   As far north as Santa Barbara, east to the inland empire and south to San Diego, including all cities in between.

AHA   What is the typical cost for you to go to the home?

CH   It depends on where the patient is located but local blood draws are $40 – $60.

AHA   Do you only work with children with special needs or can the whole family utilize you, as we don’t know anyone who likes going to a lab?

CH   I am more than happy to draw the entire family. 

AHA   If someone doesn’t live in the Southern California area, how do they find someone like you in their area?

CH   You can try to Google mobile phlebotomist.

I started drawing blood at the age of 11 years old.  At that time, I worked at a vet office and started drawing blood on animals in a small town in East Texas.  I also would draw my brother’s blood as16-lpro1024qhprcvf-13 he had hemochromatosis and needed to have blood drawn as he had too much iron in his blood.  My brother was a lab technician and he taught me how to draw his blood.  Over the years, I developed my skills.  I have worked at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Methodist Hospital in Houston, Mission Hospital in Orange County (including trauma), Red Cross donor center and various local labs.  Approximately 15 years ago, I helped start a company performing mobile phlebotomy.  Five years ago, I started my own business called OC Home Phlebotomy which has continued to grow thanks to word of mouth and great organizations such as Autism Hope Alliance believing in me.

Christopher Hayward, ASCP, CPT1

Phlebotomist CPT 53243

OC Home Phlebotomy

Mobile Blood Collection

41 Lavendera

Phone 949-939-6729 or 949-680-9898

Fax 949-682-1926

                                                                                                


This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We always recommend consulting with your doctor with any questions or beginning a new protocol.


 

The post Are you afraid to get your child’s blood drawn? appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2g13Hoo
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Thursday 17 November 2016

Working for a Purpose #autism #autismdiet

 

Autism, Hope, Biomedical, diet, Autism Hope alliance

Working for a Purpose

Getting to know the Founder of the Autism Hope Alliance:

An interview with Tom Bohager

Founder and Director, Autism Hope Alliance

 

AHA   You have recently resigned from Enzymedica and are now taking a more active role at the Autism Hope Alliance. What do you see for the future of AHA?

TB   Though I am very proud of the success of Enzymedica, I am so very excited about the future of the Autism Hope Alliance. The need for education, financial assistance and access to trusted quality nutritional products is at an all-time high among those in this community. I see our efforts helping thousands of families to find and have access to such resources. We have received a grant recently that allows us to increase our capacity for these goals without using donated funds and this makes the opportunity to help more families all the more exciting.

                                 

 “Those unaffected by Autism too need to be educated

                                        on what they can do to support those in need.” 

 

AHA   While at Enzymedica, you certainly have helped millions of people in regards to their overall health when it comes to digestion. What lessons will you take that you learned there, that you plan on utilizing at the Autism Hope Alliance?

TB   One thing I learned at Enzymedica is that education is the key to success. Though we hadabfe32ec57dbdeaa7e51b15543044895 very little in the way of a budget to market our products, Enzymedica became the best selling brand in its category. The reason for this was we focused on educating retailers and consumers about the benefits of high potency, high quality products. I believe, what the Autism community needs is access to trustworthy education. This will empower caregivers to make better choices.  There’s so much confusion about what alternatives are available to families with autism, and if we can be a provider of such resources, we will make a difference. In addition to distributing nearly 40,000 educational booklets since we began in 2009, we sponsored the Autism Hope Summit in early 2016. People in over 170 countries benefited from that effort and I look forward to even greater success with our second summit in 2017.  

Those unaffected by Autism too need to be educated on what they can do to support those in need. I have great confidence in people in general and when the right people understand that a relatively small effort or monetary contribution can do so much good for a family in need, people will step up.

 

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

and more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with

AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.   

                 

AHA   You could have picked any cause in the world to help support, what lead you to Autism?

TB   My introduction to Autism came 13 years ago when we discovered that families of children with autism we’re using our products to help with severe digestive issues common among those diagnosed. Since then, I have seen such a dramatic increase in the prevalence of this issue that it is horrifies me. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. and more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.  Honestly, these stats alone make the decision to support this cause easy for me. Adding to this is the fact that so few resources are available to assist. There are simple solutions available that can help reduce common symptoms and/or recover children. Yet so few have access to trustworthy, reliable information.

AHA   Do you have one story that stands out in regards to Autism that touched your heart?

TB   There are many stories that have touched me. But I think I need to go back to the first one. 13 years ago I was introduced to Karen DeFelice. She wrote a book called “Enzymes & Autism”. In that book she described the success that she achieved with easily accessible supplements and a restrictive diet. So moved by the progress her two sons made she decided to tour the country and tell as many parents as possible about what she had learned. When I met Karen I wanted to be apart of the education that she was providing and so began to sponsor all of her events to offset the costs she incurred in her endeavor. Watching the reactions of the families and hearing of their successes first hand inspired me on so many levels.

 

We provide guidance in identifying companies that caregivers

can trust while making these high quality products affordable

for those with a financial need.” 

 

AHA   With so many non-profits out there, how do you think AHA will stand out?

TB   I see us as a mediator between the Autism community and the Natural Foods Community. The Natural Foods Community is uniquely equipped to help families with a diagnosis, but need help communicating their message. The Autism Community needs to better understand the differences between all of the thousands of natural foods companies and identify the best among them. Navigating the millions of marketing messages and claims from the thousands of companies can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We provide guidance in identifying companies that caregivers can trust while making these high quality products affordable for those with a financial need. No one is attempting to do this and I am convinced we are the most qualified.

AHA   What is your reaction and feelings now that your family has also decided to join forces and help the mission at AHA?

unnamed-1

TB   My goal has always been to steer my three sons in a direction that will provide a career with a high level of fulfillment and more importantly afford them the time and opportunity to also volunteer to help others less fortunate then our family. As you might imagine, I am incredibly happy to be able to do this with AHA.

AHA   For the families out there that feel lost at the moment, what words of encouragement can you give them?

TB   There is nothing more powerful than hope so never give it up. Nurture it, cultivate it and don’t let anyone tell you your naive for having it. Wear it like a badge of honor. And finally, it’s never too late to start your journey to recovery.

AHA   What are three things you would suggest a family do after they get the diagnosis?

TB   1)   Immediately remove gluten and casein from their child’s diet.

        2)   Read the resource booklet distributed by the Autism Hope Alliance called “Autism – What the Experts Know” and listen to the Autism Hope Summit. Then choose a course based on your personal intuition that will help your child.

       3)   Never lose sight of the need to replenish, refresh and rejuvenate yourself. Caregivers all too often burn out and lose hope. A way must be found through the assistance of family members, friends and volunteers to continually care for the caregiver.

AHA   What final message do you want to leave for families that have individuals with Autism?

TB    Surround yourselves with people who will be supportive and inspire hope. Avoid and remove any toxic influence and be open-minded.  Sometimes the best solutions come from the most unexpected places.

 

” It’s never too late to start your journey to recovery.”

                                                                  

 


This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We always recommend consulting with your doctor with any questions or beginning a new protocol.

 

The post Working for a Purpose appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2fJtPBU
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Wednesday 9 November 2016

How to Stay Inspired #autism #autismdiet

Autism, Hope, Biomedical, diet, Autism Hope alliance


How to Stay Inspired When You Feel Hopeless

An Interview with Tom Nix,

Author, Motivational Speaker, Inspirational Business Leader and Philanthropist


AHA   Many families today, especially those with children with Special Needs often feel defeated and have nothing left to give, as they are exhausted living day to day. What advice can you give to families that can help them stay motivated?

TN   It’s natural to feel depressed and sorry for yourself when you face difficult challenges in life but there is no benefit from this attitude. It’s okay to throw yourself a short pity party occasionally but set a deadline then get back to managing your mindset. Keeping a positive enthusiastic can-do attitude takes practice, discipline and commitment but can be done regardless of life’s challenges. You can manage your mind with affirmations, visualization, positive mental self talks, pictures and reading a list of everything you have to be happy about when you are down in the dumps. Your readers can get a free copy of what I call “Life’s Key Concepts” on my website listed below which will explain how to implement these concepts. I’ve used these change your mind change your life concepts for 40 years to overcome challenges and dramatically improve my life.

AHA   What gave you the strength to turn your life around and become the person you are today?

TN   I had a defining moment when a friend encouraged me to listen to a book on tape called Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. This book launched me on a crusade for about 10 years of listening to self-help books on tape and going to seminars trying to figure out how to be happy and successful. I realized I could be, do and have more than I’ve ever dreamed possible by implementing the concepts I’ve outlined on my paper Life’s Key Concepts.

 

AHA   Often families can fall into the “victim” role and it is easier to blame others or the world around them for all the problems they might be facing. How does someone get out of the “victim” mentality and become empowered again?

TN   Feeling like you’re a victim is debilitating, keeps you stuck in a bad place and prevents you from creating a better future for yourself and your family. Take the attitude that this is the hand I’ve been dealt and I am going to make the most of it. Never look at what you’ve lost, avoid running your misfortune over and over in your mind, stay calm and create a plan to move your life forward in a positive manner. Employ the serenity prayer “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference”

AHA   Often as a parent it seems impossible to balance and juggle work, family and “me” time. What would you say to those parents?

TN   There’s a lot of information available regarding time management that is usually designed for business people but can be used in our personal lives as well. Pigeonholing is one of the techniques you can use to feel less overwhelmed. You focus your attention and thoughts on a few things and put everything else aside until later. It is important to have a follow-up note or other document to be sure nothing falls through the cracks then stick everything in a drawer so it is out of sight and out of mind. Review the contents of this drawer regularly and determine the next things you want to focus your attention on.

AHA   You have been married to the same amazing woman Pam for 46 years and went through ups and downs just like many of those out there. What is your secret to a happy marriage?

It takes a lot to maintain a happy marriage for decades and it starts with picking the right partner, trust and the commitment that no matter what it takes, we are going go work things out. This will help you get through really challenging times that are
inevitable in most marriages. We try to accept each other just the way we are and tomnixset realistic expectations. We talk issues out and sometimes negotiate a reasonable position that we can both accept which requires compromise. We learned to postpone emotional discussions until the next day, which is very hard to do, but letting things settle before addressing them is a huge benefit. We’ve had date night almost once a week for 46 years. We believe setting aside time to have fun together and intimacy is important for the relationship and the entire family. We look for ways to make the other person happy and look for the good in each other.

 

TN    Let’s shift gears a bit… You have been quite successful in the business world. What were some things you did to overcome fear of failure?

I overcame fear by defining why I was afraid and then putting it in perspective. Was it really that bad? Could I live with the consequences if my worst fear became reality? I would have positive self talks telling myself I can handle this and I can handle more. I would walk through my fears by doing the thing I was afraid of until it was comfortable. I would also use visualization techniques to see myself handling situations in a brave and appropriate way. I would act brave until I actually was brave.  However, sometimes fear is justified and represents a stop sign you should pay attention to. I tried to determine whether the fear I felt was in fact an   appropriate warning sign not to take a certain course of action.

TN    What are 3 things you would suggest to those reading that can help a parent take the first steps to happiness?

  • Learn ways to change your mind and consequently your life by reading Life’s Key Concepts and watching the film ”The Secret” at www.thesecret.tv
  • Choose a healthy lifestyle. Exercise regularly, eat right, maintain a healthy weight, moderate alcohol use and completely avoid cigarette smoking and hard drugs. Good health is the cornerstone of all good things in life and crucial to being the best you can be for your family.
  • Join a support group. Stay on the lookout for new and different ways to help your child experience the best life possible. Be sure to arrange personal time, which is important for you and your family. Count your blessings.

AHA   After all you have achieved, what do you think is your greatest achievement?

TN   Creating a happy healthy prosperous life in spite of the fact that I was very unhappy as a young man and encountered numerous serious challenges in my life’s journey.

AHA    Where can people find out more about you and continued to be inspired?

TN   People can get a free copy of Life’s Key Concepts on my website www.nixland.net by clicking on the “about the book” tab and selecting the Life’s Key Concepts icon.

The post How to Stay Inspired appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://autismhopealliance.org/how-to-stay-inspired/
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Wednesday 2 November 2016

Let’s Talk Vegan #autism #autismdiet

   Let’s Talk Vegan 

               With Health Coach, Mike Menze        

  unnamed-1

 

LET’S START OFF FIRST BY LEARNING WHY YOU DECIDED VEGAN WAS THE

LIFESTYLE THAT GAVE YOU THE MOST OPTIMAL HEALTH? 

I was a meat and dairy eater all my life, and after I married my wife and we had kids I developed an auto immune disease, Ulcerative Colitis just after my son was born. It was a bad case. If you  aren’t aware of what that is, it is a chronic disease of the large intestine, otherwise known as the colon. Numerous times my brother in law had mentioned to me to read The China Study, a book by T. Colin Campbell. It’s the most comprehensive study of Nutrition ever conducted. I didn’t read the book at first, and after getting diagnosed with UC, and living through the suffering I had everyday, I finally decided to pick up the book, cut animal protein out of my life, and give this new lifestyle a try.  I’ve never looked back.

 

WHAT BENEFITS DID YOU SEE FROM THE GET GO?

I immediately stopped my 12-15 horse pills that I took everyday. After cutting animal protein out of my life I noticed within days a change in my bowels and symptoms. It was truly amazing. 

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN?

Being a vegan means you abstain from all use of animal products. A vegetarian is a person who  does not eat meat, but will still eat cheese, fish, and sometimes chicken. Yes, crazy I know.

 

HOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A FAMILY TO IMPLEMENT A VEGAN DIET?

I would recommend that you start to add more vegetables, fruits and starches into your diet. Immediately lessen your animal product intake. There are many substitutions to animal protein in the plant based world. Many of which are non-GMO, if not organic. We find these products  are helpful in the transition stage, and are quite tasty.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WHO WORRY ABOUT NOT GETTING ENOUGH 

PROTEIN?

I tell them that all plants have protein, and then I’ll tell them that beans have more protein than beef, and broccoli is a great source of protein per serving. Every single fruit and vegetable have

protein.

IS THERE A WAY TO GO GLUTEN FREE, SOY FREE AND DAIRY FREE WHILE BEING A VEGAN? AS MANY OF THE KIDDOS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

CAN’T TOLERATE GLUTEN, SOY OR DAIRY.

Absolutely. You do not need to eat soy if you are a vegan, there are plenty of other forms of high protein to get by with. I want to point out first that I’m not a nutritionist or doctor, I am a lifestyle coach who does research and shares what I know. I also want to point something out about soy. Everything I say is easily attainable by punching in a few searches in google. Soy is considered a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the amino acids we have to get from food because they can’t be made by the body. Soy also gets confused by people because soy has estrogen in it. It is called a phytoestrogen, which hinder the body’s natural estrogen from attaching to cells. Phyto means “plant.” It does not do the same thing as the estrogen in animal protein. I believe that is why a lot of people turn away from it, where in reality they should be afraid of animal protein.

ANY FAVORITE RECIPES?

Yes, I love a stacked veggie taco or baked potato thats filled and topped with lots of raw  veggies, beans, plenty of nutritional yeast, and hot sauce! My wife makes an amazing veggie lasagna that I can almost eat to myself in one sitting. We make a family marinara sauce that my kids help with. Lately my wife and I have been working to reduce our oil intake, so veggie broth has been key in our experience.                                                                                                

 mikemrecipe

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FAMILY WHO MIGHT BE NERVOUS

TO TRY THIS DIET?

I would say its best to talk to someone who is successfully living this lifestyle. I had my concerns  about malnutrition and lack of protein before I took my first step, but I took that step anyway. It has paid off 100 times over. My family could not be healthier and we are striving to create awareness. One last thing, any reason to go Vegan is the right

mikemenze

~ My name is Michael Anthony Menze. I am 39 years young and I have a beautiful wife named Heidi. Together we have two beautiful children, one boy and one girl. We are what you call a Vegan family. My wife has been a vegetarian her whole life, but the type of vegetarian who didn’t eat fish, or cheese, or eggs. She ate basically carbs, fruits and vegetables her whole life since birth. I went vegan almost 5  years ago. My children also maintain a healthy vegan lifestyle, one since birth, one since 5 years ago. Eating vegan is not only the healthiest for you, it keeps away the sickness, allergies, everyday ailments people get. It’s pure medicine that protects your immune system.

Prior to becoming vegan, at age 32, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a common auto immune disease, that “had no cause, no cure,” per my doctor. My passion for plant based eating began the second I noticed a significant change in my daily trips to the bathroom. I eliminated most all animal products, I say most because back then I was just diving into this lifestyle, and I didn’t know the tremendous impact it has on our planet, and the helpless animals, but I would indulge and not care about a cupcake, or a piece of cake that contained eggs, or milk. For the past 2 years we have become more active in the animal rights foundations learning each day. That has driven our first passion, food choices, to open our eyes to what else it meant to be a “vegan.” And if I’m going to dedicate myself to supporting animal rights, then I think I shouldn’t be eating them. With the strong support and advocacy of my

wife we have researched into this completely, and it’s our life’s mission to share what we know, and help people understand the need for meat and dairy are what is really hurting us, our planet, and animals. My son was around six months old, and it was not the best time to become ill. My doctor at the time also diagnosed me with pneumonia at the same time, or as he said, a double whammy. By the time I met my G.I. doctor, I was really feeling bad. Lots of stomach issues and sleepless nights. My doctor told me that there is no cause and no cure for ulcerative colitis and that my condition was a precursor to cancer of the colon.  He prescribed 12 horse sized pills a day to keep the flare ups at bay, but he was clear to say, that this was just a patch, a bandaid of sorts. So I took the prescription and followed his orders.  By the way, he told me it would be a couple weeks before the meds kicked in. So, I didn’t change one thing in my diet, but took all  of those pills and the flare ups died out for the most part. When I would feel a flare up coming, I would take extra medication to help. All throughout the illness, my brother in law would whisper “read the China Study”, I would ignore his suggestions and go about with what I normally did, ate tons of animal product and took my pills.

Fast forward about three years and the brother in law, starts chirping away, china study, read the china study. He even walked me into the local library to check the book out. There wasn’t one available, so we put the order in and I got a copy a week or so later. I tried my best to get through the book, but could not do it before the book was due at the library. Strike one. My brother in law finally coughed up the cash and bought us a copy. As he had mentioned before, try to read the first thirty pages or so. I was hooked on the second attempt.  I remember, reading the book on my breaks and calling or texting my wife or brother in law regarding my reactions to the facts printed in that book. It was a game changing situation.

 

Follow Mike on Instagram @gocoachmike

Follow Mike on Facebook: Mike Menze

This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We always recommend consulting with your doctor with any questions or beginning a new protocol.

The post Let’s Talk Vegan appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2febI7N
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Monday 3 October 2016

Only One Week Away, It’s not too late to purchase your tickets! Autism Hope Alliance – Breakfast at Tiffany’s Benefit Event #autism #autismdiet

 

On October 9th 2016 -Autism Hope Alliance will be hosting the Breakfast at Tiffany’s

benefit event. Join AHA for an elegant morning as you walk the red carpet; enjoy brunch

catered by Lola’s Mexican Cuisine, Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s, while the 1961

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is featured on the big screen. We are excited to raise money to

support families in the Autism Community through our silent auction and wine pull. Buy

tickets now! http://ift.tt/2cjZKK7

#hope #breakfastattiffanys #autism #nevergiveup #brunch #autismhopealliance

 

breakfast-at-tiff-4x6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Support Autism Hope Alliance; buy raffle tickets for your chance to win a Mega Raffle

Basket full of goodies from their partners. This basket is worth $1000+; please look

below at a sample of some of the items that will be included in the basket.

Winner will be announced on FB Live on October 9th at 11:30am PST.

10 for $10

http://bit.ly/2cu96Br

or

20 for $20

http://bit.ly/2cmYRQ5

#hope #breakfastattiffanys #autism #nevergiveup #brunch #autismhopealliance

Autism Hope Alliance raffle

The post Only One Week Away, It’s not too late to purchase your tickets! Autism Hope Alliance – Breakfast at Tiffany’s Benefit Event appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2dzdPUV
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Sunday 11 September 2016

How Stem Cell Therapy Saved My Son #autism #autismdiet

How Stem Cell Therapy Saved My Son

 

  •  Marty Kelley

Mother, Wife and Stem Cell Advocate

She fought for her son and won. She never gave up and followed her instincts. Her message is one of Hope, Determination and Unconditional Love. The Autism Hope Alliance had the pleasure of learning more about her journey and hearing her story.

family

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

Can you tell us what is Stem Cell Therapy and why you are so passionate about it?

  •  Marty Kelley:

We received stem cell therapy at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama, which is where all of Ken’s treatments have taken place, they use stem cells harvested from donated human umbilical cord tissue after normal, healthy births called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Umbilical cord tissue is a rich source of the most potent MSCs, which modulate the immune system and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Each donating mother is tested for infectious diseases and has her medical history screened. Proper consent is received from each family prior to donation. Before they are approved for use in treatment all umbilical cord-derived stem cells are screened for infectious diseases to International Blood Bank Standards. Only a small percentage of donated umbilical cords pass the rigorous screening process.  The actual treatments are relatively simple. There are just several quick intravenous injections of the purified MSCs over the course of several days. Each injection only takes a few minutes. Autism (and its degree of severity) has been significantly correlated with elevated levels of macrophage-derived cytokines (MDC) and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), both of which are implicated in neuro-inflammation.  Intravenous administration of umbilical cord MSCs can reduce inflammation in the brain and throughout the body, thus lowering the levels of MDC and TARC and improving a child’s symptoms. This is the rationale behind the treatment, which is currently in the process of being tested in controlled clinical trials.

 

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

What changes if any did you see in your son after doing it?

  • Marty Kelley:

After doing our first stem cell treatment, Kenneth started talking about the past for the first time!  Within a few months, he was able to have simple conversation and at nine months after the cells, Kenneth potty trained and started reading.  It was a few months before his ninth birthday.

  • Stem cell therapy, autism , autism hope allianceAutism Hope Alliance:

How long before you noticed any changes?

  •  Marty Kelley:

Before stem cells, my husband and I categorized Ken as moderately to severely autistic.  So, it was while we at the Stem Cell Institute getting our first stem cell treatment, where Ken started speaking clearer and adding more words to his limited sentences, we knew the cells were working.  Changes continued to occur daily, such as Ken having a concept of time, describing his trip to Panama as “four hours in the car and 8 hours on the plane” in a news interview 2 weeks after getting cells!

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

What therapies did you do before trying Stem Cell Therapy?

  • Marty Kelley:

Like most parents on this journey, we tried biomedical intervention intensively before stem cells, starting when Ken was 6 years old.  We bought a mild hyperbaric oxygen chamber for our home and treated him for two years with 900 hours of dives.  Also, we used around 30 different vitamin supplements as well as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, along with fermented foods.  We used the top autism biomedical doctors at the time (2006-2009), including having Ken’s gastrointestinal issues diagnosed with Dr. Arthur Krigsman at Thoughtful House and QEEG scans to give us markers for improvements.

 

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

How did you even hear about stem cell therapy and how did you decide on the clinic to go to?

  •  Marty Kelley:

A news story in Orlando, Florida, introduced us to stem cell therapy and Daniel Faiella, a father who had treated his son at the Stem Cell Institute.  I called Daniel every day for two years while I researched adult stem cells.  It was still hard to decide on a clinic to use.  I chose the Stem Cell Institute because of their reputation and what I researched.  And a great quote that sums it all up is,

“You cannot always wait for the perfect time, sometimes you must dare to jump.”

As long as I was sure that umbilical cord cells would not cause any harm, it was just a matter of taking the “jump.”

 

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

Where was your child before Stem Cell Therapy?

  • Marty Kelley:

Before stem cells, Kenneth was out of control.  He could not have a conversation with us.  He could not tell us spontaneous things, like what happened at school, if he was sick or hurt, or things he needed.  Ken often screamed and yelled and was violent and threw things and would run awayfrom us, ripping his clothes off, running naked.   At the time, our physician did not know anything about stem cells, but recommended that we place Ken in an institution because of his out of control behavior.  This devastated us.

In a documentary film featuring Ken’s story, we tried to capture the essence of Ken’s life before stem cells and then show the changes from the cells.  This film is called Ken’s Journey To Recovery and can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FaGf0h20Vw

 

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

Paint us a picture of where he is today?

Stem cell therapy, autism , autism hope alliance

  • Marty Kelley:

Today, Ken is calm, peaceful, and polite–the sweetest joy in our lives.  He is what life should be, happy and caring and intuitive. Ken has a passion for learning, I think because of all of the gaps with the autism.  Even his teachers recognize his passion and he recently received an award in History in a mainstream classroom out of 70 neuro-typical peers.

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

How many stem cell treatments did he get and do you do any therapies with him currently? 

  •  Marty Kelley:

From 2009 to 2012, Ken has had six stem cell treatments. We have not had him on any diet or supplements since 2012.  Our lives are very normal with limited therapies, except for speech therapy and school.  We have not done any biomedical since 2009.

Stem cell therapy, autism , autism hope alliance

  • Autism Hope Alliance:

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of doing Stem Cell Therapy?

  • Marty Kelley:

If parents were considering stem cells for their child, I would recommend lots of research.  Make sure you know that the treatment is safe and find a clinic with a good reputation.  And don’t wait.  Stem cells are amazing, but, like any medical treatment, it doesn’t work for everyone.  For your child, however, it may be worth a try.

” Dream big dreams, small dreams have no magic”.

For more info:

http://ift.tt/1d8gh8P

http://ift.tt/2chs6D4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FaGf0h20Vw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6T9MZYM_wY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyU4m2ZF-pA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csJGUbonU4k

*This interview is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is for informational purposes only. Each parent knows their child the best and we recommend individuals to consult their doctor before considering any therapy or treatments.

 

The post How Stem Cell Therapy Saved My Son appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2cv1zp7
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet

Friday 9 September 2016

The Autism Hope Alliance receives additional help from Tom Bohager – its founder #autism #autismdiet

 Autism, Hope, Biomedical, diet, Autism Hope alliance

The Autism Hope Alliance receives additional help from Tom Bohager – its founder

 

Punta Gorda, FL, August 17, 2016 – The Autism Hope Alliance (AHA) is excited to announce that Tom Bohager, its founder, will be dedicating more of his time to assist the organization in expanding its reach to help additional families dealing with the diagnosis of Autism.

Tom resigned from Enzymedica in June of 2016. This gives him more time to pursue his passion of helping families. In addition to having more time to assist AHA as one of its Directors, he has also funded a legacy grant that will offset the cost of administrative overhead for the next three to five years. A new headquarters space in Punt Gorda FL. has also been donated at no charge to AHA. The new location will provide the additional space needed to support the ever-growing “Pantry Program” which provides nutritious foods and supplements to families in need. The goal of AHA is to expand the program to better assist more families and help offset the growing cost of nutritional provisions.

Kristin Selby Gonzalez, the President of AHA stated, “I have never been more excited about the future of AHA. I have no doubt that the dedication and experience Tom brings to the cause will greatly impact thousands of additional families in a positive way.”

The Autism Pantry Program

The Autism Pantry Program provides gluten free and casein free foods and supplements, donated by sponsoring companies in the natural foods industry, to families in need of financial assistance or who wish to try a new brand without the expense. In 2015 AHA provided assistance through this and other programs to over 4,500 families. “It is our goal to greatly expand the Autism Pantry Program well beyond its current capacity to include regular assistance to many more families in need,” said Tom Bohager.

The Legacy Grant

Through the legacy grant, AHA has hired 3 new full time employees to assist in this expansion endeavor, a Director of Communications and two Program Managers. The purpose of the grant is to offset the administrative and employment costs of running the organization. By means of this grant, people who donate to AHA can be assured that their donation will go directly to assisting families facing the unique challenges of Autism by means of education and financial assistance.

About AHA

The Autism Hope Alliance (AHA) embodies hope for families facing the diagnosis of Autism through education, financial support and volunteerism. It is the first non-profit foundation for Autism to spring from the natural foods industry.

To learn more about the Autism Hope Alliance: http://ift.tt/2cjZKK7

The post The Autism Hope Alliance receives additional help from Tom Bohager – its founder appeared first on autismhopealliance.



from autismhopealliance http://ift.tt/2cJiLUn
via Autism Hope Alliance #autism #autismdiet
 
Blogger Templates