In 1973, just one month after my wedding, I went to bed one night feeling fine, but the next morning my entire right side was paralyzed when I awoke. I was only 19 years old at the time, and spent the next 6 months in the hospital or rehab, mostly in a wheelchair, trying to learn how to walk, talk, and live a 'normal' life.
Despite doctors' predictions I'd never be able to continue my education I returned to college and received a B.A. in Liberal Arts in 1978. In 1984 I began Law School and upon graduating, practiced law as a prosecuting attorney. I was subsequently elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court in 1992, and in 2002 was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals, becoming the first African American woman in history to sit on that court. I will begin my second term on the Appellate Court in November 2008.
The physical problem I had in 1973 was never diagnosed as the doctors were totally baffled. However, after remaining in remission for over 20 years, I began to experience new health challenges. I developed a chronic cough in 1998 that continued to worsen. I was extremely fatigued and then developed arthritic pain and stiffness. Finally, I was diagnosed with Lupus, and told that was the cause of my paralysis in 1973, when the disease had attacked my spinal cord.
Since that Lupus diagnosis in 1998, I have been hospitalized ten to fifteen times with Lupus related challenges, including Lupus related lung disease, pulmonary embolism, rheumatoid arthritis, superventricular tachycardia, myositis, pulmonary embolism, irritable heart syndrome, heart palpitations, two hand surgeries for collapsed tendon replacement, and Lupus hand cysts. I also had 2 heart cauterizations to diagnose pulmonary hypertension. After each hospitalization, I have been prescribed inordinate amounts of drugs, including steroids, antibiotics, and chemotherapy.
During all of these recurrences of Lupus related problems, I continued to follow a macrobiotic diet, for a total of 12 years. I stopped eating beef and pork 30 years ago, stopped eating chicken 12 years ago, and fish only 7 months ago when I adopted The Hallelujah Diet. On the macrobiotic diet I ate mostly soy and grains, along with lots of brown rice.
Several years ago, the Lord led me to the Hallelujah Diet and lifestyle. I read all the materials by Dr. Malkmus and Rhonda but decided I liked macrobiotics better and so I continued on the macrobiotic diet. Due to my not being obedient to the Lord's leading to adopt The Hallelujah Diet, healing did not manifest. But, in December 2007, when I was released from the University of Michigan Hospital with 16 different medications to take, once again the Lord put it on my heart to adopt a basically raw plant based diet, and on January 1, 2008 I totally adopted The Hallelujah Diet. Then in February 2008 I spent a week at the Hallelujah Lifestyle Center in Plant City, Florida with Health Ministers Dave, Sherri, and Amber Orcutt. There I had hands on experience preparing various raw plant foods, learning about juicing, learning the Hallelujah program.
Since adopting The Hallelujah Diet just 7 months ago, my life has totally changed. I have already been able to reduce my medications from 16 to 4, and for the first time in nearly 30 years I do not suffer with Chronic Fatigue. I feel fantastic! I no longer feel lethargic, and I have no more sleep problems. Hallelujah!!!
I desire to become a Health Minister because as a Christian I believe it is my duty to spread God's Word as stated in Genesis 1:29. I often speak in churches, and to community groups, and am a mentor and role model for many in my community. Too often what I see is an obese, diseased community, along with loved ones who are eating the wrong things and living inactive, unproductive lives, and as a result are sick. I want to make a difference by helping and encouraging them.
