One Can't Live On Bread Alone...

...But it is so good!!!

I don't broadcast this out much, mainly because of the stigma surrounding it, but our middle son, Corey, is in the autistic spectrum. So, why post it for all of the world to see? Well, I hope that maybe someone might stumble across this little piece of the web and glean some insights and hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

To go into a long drawn out history behind everything, would take months of posting. Here's the just of it: Corey was pretty much non verbal and extremely hyposensory. Loved the birth to 3 program, hated our small town public schools. Started home schooling 4 years ago and haven't looked back! I've done tons of research, trying to reverse his symptoms...so far we are doing really good! He went from mumbler to motor mouth, crash and banger to calmer and quirky.

What have we done so far?

1. PRAYER...can't stress enough the power of God and the miracles he bestows us with!

2. Fish Oil...everyone needs Omega 3's!

3. Accidophilus...fights candidia and helps stop leaky gut syndrome.

4. Magnesium...nature's sedative....helps keep him balanced.

5. Probiotics...rebuild the good flora in the intestines.

6. Limited sugar and processed foods...very rarely have food dyes, especially red (yes, it does make a difference!)

So far so good, but I've been feeling we had room to do better. A friend (hi Chris!), recommended a book called Gut and Psychology Syndrome (G.A.P.S.) by Dr. Natasha Campbell-Mcbride. It reinforced that we were on the right track, just not all the way on the path yet. Healing the gut involves more than just adding back the good bacteria and getting the bad under control. We need to give the gut a "break" of sorts to help heal damage, detox and regrow healthy cells. As I read this book, I realized that both Jamie and Riley have symptoms of dys-ease in their gut...eczema, allergies, and constipation to name a few. (I think we all need a bit of tweaking from the onslaught of garbage we put into our system)

Sooooo....I'm contemplating, stewing...doubting. The GAPS diet is not a forever diet, but still...ugh! It mainly consists of cutting out all complex sugars, carbs (all grain),starches and dairy. Yum, right?!? Hard...most definitely! Like I said, its not forever...more like a cast or splint for your broken intestinal wall!

I really struggled with this! If Corey had let's say cancer, there would be no hurdle I wouldn't jump or door I'd kick down to make him better. So why am I bucking a little inconvienece that could possibly give Corey a very normal life? Am I more lax because you can survive Autism?

But how could I live with myself if I didn't try everything in my power to reverse this! So, here we go...I'll document our progress...want to come along?