About

MY JOURNEY

All I heard was “wheelchair” and “blind.“

When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995, I was a successful fashion designer, strong athlete, martial artist and a dedicated yogi. And, I was just weeks away from marrying the love of my life.

Several neurologists told me that “statistically” I would be in a wheelchair within ten years. And, because one of my symptoms was optic neuritis, there was also the probability of permanent loss of vision. I was to refrain from strenuous exercise, excessive heat or cold and avoid stress…indefinitely.

It felt like every word the doctor said was in slow motion. If he said anything else, I certainly didn’t hear it. Those two words assaulted every fiber of my being. I sat in a state of shock, angry and terrified as I felt all my hopes and dreams disappear into an abyss of despair. Yet, a small voice from within the very depth of my soul kept saying, “Not So.”

I followed the advice of the doctors. I began injectable treatments that showed promise of keeping my MS at bay. I gave up every form of exercise except walking my dogs.

Still, within four months, I began to lose mobility in my right leg. I must have fallen at least half a dozen times, severely spraining my ankle over and over again. I kept dropping things and had difficulty writing. My short-term memory was waning. My brain felt clouded and “foggy” and I found myself repeatedly asking the same questions. Yet, that small voice kept saying, “Not So,” and catapulted me into action.

Armed with the support of my fiancé and a couple of my closest friends, we researched and read everything MS-related that we could get our hands on. The more I read, the more I needed to know. Knowledge opened the window to possibilities, eventually subsiding the fear that had rendered me hopeless.

Still, the statistics were not encouraging. Then one day, a dear friend who was a doctor of oriental medicine said to me, “Sonia, statistics are based on 1/4 of the 7 billion people on this planet! So, you have a choice my friend, you can either choose to be a statistic or you can choose to heal.”

That moment was so profoundly powerful that it has held my attention and solidified my intentions to this day.

I realized that if MS was to be my companion for the rest of my life, I needed to be 100% committed to being pro-active in my self-care.

This included:

• Personal Advocacy – Exercising my right to choose my path to wellness
• Education – Learning the latest in medicine and health
• Belief – Changing my mindset to change my life
• Nutrition – Fueling my body and feeding my brain
• Mobility – Strengthening my muscles and restoring movement

I have explored many treatments, both alternative and traditional, and have utilized both. I have come to understand that the true meaning of healing is multi-dimensional and begins from the inside out.

Based on my last MRIs—and much to the surprise of my medical community—I’m living proof that you have the power to heal, stop and possibly reverse chronic illness.

This is the Alchemy of Hope and Healing. I look forward to assisting you on your own journey to Hope and Healing.

With Gratitude,

Sonia

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. ~ 
Eleanor Roosevelt

 

 

 

I am a Health and Wellness Coach and Patient Advocate, a Master Energy Leadership Coach, motivational speaker and co-author. I am also a fully certified Pilates instructor and certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a Core Energy Healing practitioner, a life-long student of yoga and a nutritional consultant. I’ve had the privilege of partnering with some of the most brilliant “out-of-the-box” thinkers in neurosciences, physical therapy, kinesiology and integrative medical doctors to help me help you!