Sensitive and Thriving

My two young boys and I were constantly sick, and I felt desperately unhappy. We were all on endless rounds of drugs from various doctors and specialists whom we had visited to find answers to our problems. Each visit brought a new diagnosis, and another prescription, inevitably followed by more side effects from the drugs that simply added to our existing symptoms. Cameron, at age four, was allergic to milk, soy, wheat and eggs. He had a life-threatening allergy to peanuts, plus eczema, sleep apnoea, and asthma. Thomas, at age seven, had been diagnosed with ADHD, Aspergers and learning difficulties. I had suffered from depression off and on for more than nine years. And then something happened, which on the face of it appeared to be yet another huge problem. I had a mental “breakdown.” I felt like I’d lost my mind and I was a complete mess. However, this breakdown turned out to be a “break-through.” As I surrendered to the mental anguish, the pain, and the weirdness of my situation, a whole new world revealed itself. A world where my inner guide was guiding me, step by step, day by day, to the answers we needed. From the first moments of my break-through I was in touch with the happiness I’d been missing, and I began to connect with the solutions to our health issues. If at first this seemed a little strange to me, it was even more so to those around me. But the fact was, we were all gradually healing. I was finding more peace every day, and my depressive episodes began to occur further apart. At the same time the boys’ symptoms started to dissipate. Interestingly, whenever I fell back into my old patterns of stress, worry and depression, the boys’ symptoms would re-emerge. Part of the answer I found was to start caring. First, I needed to care for me. I started to nourish, nurture and love myself on all levels. From this place I was able to do the same for my family as a unit, and each of the boys individually. The results were extraordinary and they speak for themselves. Today, we enjoy the best life – we’re a happy, healthy and relaxed family. Another core part of our solution was the realisation that the boys and I were “sensitive” on all levels – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Through accepting these sensitivities, respecting and appreciating them, and working “with” rather than against them, we discovered new ways of living and supporting ourselves. This book is about our journey. Some people may label it a fairytale, but I assure you that this story is true. I share my journey to offer you hope as you face your own issues with your family. As well as our personal story, this book includes some of the answers and practical solutions that worked for me, and my children. Rather than definitive health rules and guidelines, this book provides a gentle reminder that we all have everything we need inside of us – it offers ways we can go within to access our true health and wellbeing. You may be surprised by what you find as you begin to reconnect with your inner guide and take back the reins of your life-it truly is magical. Without diminishing the magic in any way, I also owe it to all of us to be “real!” The changes we experienced didn’t just happen overnight. They happened over a number of years – and they are still happening. Before we continue, I also need to share one essential piece of information. If you are the kind of person who tends to view challenges in life simply as problems to be “fixed”, then it may be time for an attitude adjustment. This book is an invitation to consider the possibility that all symptoms and problems are simply opportunities to heal. Whether this is actually true, which I now believe it to be, or not, I promise you will at least begin to ask better questions. And they lead to better answers. I sincerely hope you enjoy sharing this journey, and that our story may inspire you to step into the unknown and discover the miracles that await you and your family. Karin de Vos Lover of life, passionate mother & family advocate