Homeopathics/Naturopathics

Gracie making gluten free cupcakes for her birthday

In the summer of 2008 I took Grace to see a homeopathic doctor in Ashland.  I was researching online and I came across an article that I really spoke to me.  This is the link to that article.

SPD Link

After reading the article I realized that the author lived in Ashland, my home town.  It was the first time I had considered taking Grace to see a more alternative type of doctor.  But Grace was spiraling downward in one of her more difficult "phases" and I was at the very end of my ideas and almost out of hope.   I made an appointment and we drove down to Ashland.   I took her by the hand and led her in to see a completely different type of doctor in a completely different setting.  I must say I was totally out of my element.  I had no idea what to expect.  I think that when you are at rock bottom you are willing to try most anything.  Dr. L. spent over two hours with Grace and I asking all sorts of questions, but most importantly he listened - I mean REALLY listened to what I had to say.

I found much of what he had to say fascinating.  I grew up in Ashland, so I was not at all bothered by the fact that his office was not a traditional medical office.  Dr. L. was both sincere and laid back.  He was professional and casual at the same time.  He was truly "Ashland style".  That was just fine with me.  He brought up the connection between antibiotics, ear infections and gluten intolerance just like I had been researching and encouraged us to stay on the gluten free diet.  His words were that it was "essential".

Based this discussion, he came up with a "remedy" for Grace to try.  A remedy is basically a homeopathic medicine (except they never call it that).  The remedy he made for Grace was called Kaliarsenicosum LM1.  Yes, it did have arsenic in it.  I was very concerned about the arsenic part.  Dr. L assured me that is was so diluted that it was less dangerous than the toxins in a water bottle.  The instructions for administering the remedy were very specific.

1.  pour 4 ounces of distilled water into a glass container

2. turn the remedy bottle upside down

3.  shake the remedy bottle 4 times by hitting it on the palm of your hand

4. add 4 drops of the remedy to the glass container

5.  stir the mixture 40 times with a METAL spoon

6.  take 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture and give it to Grace

7.  discard the rest

Tim and I used to laugh and call it the "witches brew".  You can see why!  All you have to do is add a chant.  The funny part is that according to Dr. L.  if you add an additional shake or an extra stir or two it changes the remedy.

 I will say that Grace seemed to improve again after this started.  I didn't know if this was perceived or real at the time.  But it was very noticeable by both Tim and I.  Our morning routine was becoming a bit ridiculous by now.  Between mashing up the vitamins and stirring up the "witches brew" we were spending about 15 - 20 minutes on Grace's various concoctions.  

We continued to use the remedy for the next 2 years.  On occasions we would "test" trying to not use it and see what would happen.  Without fail we would notice Grace slip backward a bit.  I do not understand anything about how or why it helped, but I do think there was something there.  We also continued to consult with Dr. L. every 6 months or so.  I found him to be helpful, sincere and extremely knowledgeable about autism and developmental disorders in children.  Sometimes we as Americans need to learn to look outside of our small world view to see that there are many other ways to solve problems.  There are forms of medicine that, while different, and may make us uncomfortable at first, are deserving of our respect and our consideration.