Success Stories

Eileen & Bob Niedzielski

I have a very vivid memory of a moment with my young daughter, a toddler at the time, which gave me a glimpse into the future. She was able to speak but did not use language in a functional manner and had never communicated with me verbally in a meaningful way.....until that moment. We were back home after a usual day of challenging behaviours and frustrating parental moments. Looking back most of my frustrations stemmed from the fact that I did not feel a mutual connection or bond with my child. I felt robbed of sharing the experience of a mutual, loving relationship that most mothers have with their children. We were just outside her bedroom when I fell to my knees and began to cry. I knew if I wanted things to change I was going to have to find the right people to help us. I held my daughter's arm (which was normally a challenge as she hated to be touched) and as I looked at her beautiful green eyes I told her "I love you and I am going to do everything in my power to help make you healthy and happy." Instead of screaming and running away, she glanced at me and in a voice I had never heard before she said "I know"....then she was gone, back into her own world. That was the moment my heart filled with hope. Subconsciously I knew there was a long road ahead and that the journey would be hard, what I didn't realize was just how rewarding it would be.

Our daughter was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of 2.5. After doing some research we knew we had to find a DAN doctor who could help us, help her. Some further research led us to Dr. Hoffman. After extensive testing he was able to formulate a plan - a healing program - that would help to eliminate toxins, heal her gastrointestinal tract, bring balance back into her body and give her the opportunity to heal herself. Our first step was changing her diet. We put her on a gluten & casein free diet and within a few short weeks her bowel movements made a positive shift, as did her behaviour. For the first time in a year and a half Keely sat on my lap and participated in singing songs at our weekly music class. Friends began commenting on the dramatic positive changes we were all seeing. We knew we were on the right path. Next came the treatment for yeast overgrowth and parasites. We then began a variety of supplements, some of which targeted the methylation system in the body. Immediately after introducing TMG, folinic acid & methyl B-12 Keely spoke her first 7 word sentence (another vivid memory - happened outside on the driveway and after a piece of chalk rolled under the car Keely said "I'll get it mommy, it's under the car"), up until that moment she was only putting 3 word sentences together. After being on various supplements and neurotransmitters we did a round of chelation to eliminate some of the heavy metals from her body. The miracles continued to follow as Keely became more cognitively aware, bright and inquisitive.

Keely began school in a PUF funded preschool program just after her third birthday. Our goals included getting her into the classroom, having her attend circle time even if for 1 minute, and to reduce the number of times she would run away from the classroom. The goals changed for the second year and we were even brave enough to put her into a community preschool part time as well. It was still a challenging year but because Keely's body was healing and beginning to function properly she was able to learn more in school and from her peers. I even received my first "I love you" at the age of 4. I may have had to wait a few years longer than most moms, but it was well worth the wait. Keely is currently attending kindergarten at our community school and she is excelling. She is a bright, fun, energetic, social, affectionate and loving child. Most of her "autistic traits" are gone and if we ever mention to someone that she has autism spectrum disorder they look at us like we're crazy - we love those looks! We were never trying to "change" or "fix" our daughter, just heal all of the physiological issues that were contributing to her neurological "disorder". Now that her body has found "order" she is able to reach her full potential. She continues to grow and develop and amaze us! We continue to consult with Dr. Hoffman and we are extremely appreciative of the help he has given to our family. And as a mother I am eternally grateful to now have an emotional connection and loving mother/daughter relationship with Keely. What a priceless gift!

Nada Chemenkoff

"In August of 2007, I noticed a few red blotchy spots on my shin area. I did not pay much attention to this, until the spots started to multiply and appear on other parts of legs. I went to see a dermatologist. He diagnosed me with psoriasis and to told me that there was no cure for this condition. He told me that he could only treat the symptoms by applying cortisone cream and exposing my skin to ultraviolet rays. I had no reason to doubt his diagnosis or course of treatment. He came highly recommended as being one of the best in the city and had been a specialist in his field for over 25 years.

The treatments worked for only so long. In November, I went on a tropical holiday and when I returned, my condition worsened 10 fold. My legs were now completely covered in sores to the point that in some areas they were the size of a dime or larger and were started to blend together. I continued with the cream and the light therapy but had little or no relief. As a matter of fact, I went through so much of the cream that my insurance company would no longer cover the prescription because I was using too much of it.

Being at my wits end, I made and appointment with Dr. Hoffman. The date was December 18th. He took one look at my legs and said ... "I won't even run any tests - I know exactly what you have and how to make it go away." Music to my ears and a totally different answer from that which I was given only 4 months ago. Dr. Hoffman explained to me that while the symptoms manifested themselves on my skin, the cause was elsewhere - in my digestive tract. I had what he called a "leaky gut syndrome" and I needed to clean out my digestive system, that has become inflamed and was leaking toxins into my blood -hence the skin reaction. I was shocked, because I have always been a very healthy eater and live a healthy, active lifestyle but it made perfect sense-now.

Dr. Hoffman advised me that my road to recovery would consist of a low carb diet - no wheat, sugar, alcohol, among many others, and a very regimented program of taking supplements to detox my system. I was devastated but desperate - I was willing to try anything. I started the program the very next day. At first, it was not easy - but what motivated me to stick with it was the slow disappearance of the spots on my legs. Little by little, the spots went away. I got used to eating a low carb diet and actually felt better than I had in a long time. By the end of March, my skin was completely spot free and had never looked better. I could not believe it. There were no creams to apply, no standing under any lights, no drugs to take. Just a change in what I ate and a dose of some good supplements. Proof positive - you are what you eat. It has now been over four years and I have stayed psoriasis free. I still see Dr. Hoffman as my "go to" first physician. I have recommended him to friends with health issues and they have all been cured of their conditions. I cannot say enough about his practice and his way of looking at things."

Dr. John Demartini, Author and Philosopher, Houston TX USA

"I have come to know a lot of medical physicians and other health specialists in my travels, and many of them are great at what they do, but no one I know has been able to touch Dr. Hoffman's degree of dedication and insight... The people of Alberta are very privileged to have such a professional right in their own backyard".

Robyn Stewart, Calgary AB Canada

"I went into your clinic with a list of physical health concerns and came out at the end of the summer with a feeling that I was a better, stronger, and happier person for having gone through the whole experience.

My state of health prior to visiting the Hoffman Centre for Integrative Medicine was very poor. I was frustrated with my medical doctor who had failed to diagnose my condition. She suggested I might have ovarian cancer, but she couldn't or wouldn't take any further steps until I either experienced more serious symptoms, or returned in six months for an ultrasound to determine if it was a tumor. My symptoms had been going on for six to eight months before I came to the Hoffman Centre.

My healing program at the Clinic was very holistic and started with an important lesson from Dr. Hoffman on the 7 Stages to Health and Transformation™, which characterized the treatment regime that was prescribed for me. Had I not adopted holistic health as my new lifestyle wholeheartedly, I would have never had the chance to free myself from the cyclical patterns of Cystic Ovarian Disease (COD), which can lead to more serious conditions. I found that I was empowered most by the lessons I learned from the staff and resources about mental, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being.

Today, I am much healthier and happier than when I first arrived at the Hoffman Centre. I have kept up with my regime of supplements, diet, and stress relief work, and consequently regained my menstrual cycle. I have a great deal more energy; I am no longer in physical pain or suffering from depression. And most importantly, I have the strength and resolve to deal with the difficulties of life that contribute to my illness. It has truly been a special experience in holistic self-improvement."

Nicole Lavoie, Victoria BC Canad

"After having my first child, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Within eight years, I was having problems controlling the condition. I would shift from hypo to hyper and was having my medications adjusted every few months. Eventually, I started to get scared, as my digestion would slow down to the point where I was physically toxic.

My family doctor treated the condition by adjusting my medication accordingly. I heard that Dr. Hoffman was coming to Victoria to host a workshop on integrative healing. I learnt some wonderful skills at the workshop (daily meditation, yoga, massage, and Ayurveda) and was introduced to integrative medicine. Bruce suggested I check out a couple of different books and a desiccated thyroid medication, and within a few days of taking it, I started feeling normal again.

I continued the daily meditation, yoga, and massage practice that I'd learned from the workshop and within less than a month I felt 100 per cent better. Dr. Hoffman is a gifted healer, but he is also an inspiration. It is through connecting with him that I've been introduced to various wonderful healing practices such as Dr. John Demartini's work and Ayurvedic medicine.

How are things different? I see health as a holistic experience. I take the time to observe and listen to my body's wisdom, and I'm not afraid to ask questions and educate myself. I see illness as an opportunity to learn more about myself, my environment, and how I live my life".

Michelle, Mike, Lucas and Jordan Mazier, Calgary AB Canada

"We came to you about a year ago for help with Jordan. His eczema was worse than anything I had ever seen. I actually felt ill looking at his raw, swollen, oozing skin. I had tried other doctors - ND's, MD's, brain gym - anything I could think of. I told myself we could come to you as a last resort. I knew it would cost quite a bit of money and had a lot of skeptics surrounding us.

You didn't really promise us anything, but I felt I had to take this leap of faith, because I would forever wonder. So we did all of the testing, gave away our cat, and implemented the diet and supplements you (and your team) suggested. About four months later, Jordan improved DRAMATICALLY! This was to me truly a miracle.

Still, I encounter skeptics, who say he probably just outgrew it, etc. Even my husband is a little skeptical, but admits he would do it again and do anything it took. We are forever grateful for your help. I think about you every day and thank God for somehow leading us to you. And I'm sure one day Jordan (now at least 98% better) will thank you too."

Debi McKenzie Watson, Calgary AB Canada

"I was forty-nine when I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. I will never forget that evening as Bill and I processed the news while trying to explain to our little girls (Morgan age 7 and Taylor age 5) why we were crying. To them it was something about good cells and bad cells. We have come a long way since then.

Although my oncologist recorded a risk of recurrence at 10 years would be in the area of 15% at most, I surprised them three years later, with metastasis to my lung, lymph and bone. After intense rounds of chemotherapy, I was initiated into the roller coaster ride of a lifetime. The next five years were spent experimenting with many different types of chemo, between periods of reprieve.

Needless to say, the emotional ups and downs were horrendous. Hope would flit in and out of my life, like a butterfly. I turned to complementary medicine early in my journey. I explored acupuncture, supplements, many kinds of energy work, Essiac tea, lymphatic drainage and more. I read any book I could get my hands on.

I benefited from all of this, however, the more I learnt, the less I was able to pull it together and apply it to daily life. I had difficulty molding all my information and experience into a plan of action.

In the spring of 2001, I attended a talk by one of my favorite authors, Deepak Chopra. Dr. Bruce Hoffman introduced Deepak and it was then that I decided to make an appointment to see what he [Dr. Hoffman] could offer me. When I first met Bruce at his office, I knew he meant business. He very calmly and confidently explained that, if I proceeded, we would share a partnership in my health. I would have responsibilities within this partnership. I immediately sensed the compassion he has for his patients and the commitment I needed to help me sort out my plan of action. He then helped me gain more knowledge of myself and of breast cancer.

This part of my journey is ongoing, very rewarding and life changing! After more reading, a workshop on "Creating Health", learning about meditation and taking part in Dr Demartini's Collapse Process, I have become wise about my mind, body and spirit. It has meant juggling these three areas while exploring my questions and feelings, and then applying this knowledge to my life.

Fear is a huge issue when living with cancer or any life threatening disease. It is very difficult to not let it take over the life you have left. It seems to me to be such a waste of precious time to let it consume your days. I had to really explore the whole concept of death and what it meant to me. I thought about the BIG picture and where I fit in. The workshops and reading really helped and I can now say that I seldom face fear any more, or maybe it has just been replaced.

A transformation has taken place from within. I feel gratitude and appreciation every day. I don't try to feel this way. It just seems to happen! I find life quite comical and laugh a lot. I guess this means I don't take life as seriously as I used to. I don't put off anything that I want to do, and we have lots of family adventures and fun. Most of all, we roll with the punches and enjoy everything we can.

Don't get me wrong, there are sad times. Huge sadness when I think of Bill, Morgan and Taylor and how desperately I would like to be part of their lives forever. There is sadness for all the people with cancer, and for their families. Sadness for all children who have to watch a parent or close friend die and sadness for parents watching their children dealing with this unforgiving disease.

Then I look at my family and friends, and again, gratitude and love fill my heart. They are all benefiting, in different ways, from my journey. When I look around, there are so many different things to be grateful for. Maybe they grab my attention so I can live each day to its fullest, which is really what all this is about, no matter who you are, or what challenges you may have. It is not what you have that counts. It is what you do with what you have.

I am especially grateful to Dr. Bruce Hoffman for offering me the opportunities that have changed my life. He has helped me to replace fear with hope and confusion with understanding. He has enabled me to feel gratitude daily, and see how this experience fits into this lifetime. Thanks, Bruce, for sharing this expertise, vast knowledge, and most importantly, for the commitment that you have shown to me and my family".

Rob Willis, Angela Boyd, Calgary AB Canada

"Because of the level of support, education and understanding you and your staff have so graciously offered us on our journey to wellness we feel compelled to write a short testimonial.

Our message to any new prospective patients reading this would be to convey to you that you are unquestionably in the right place. The world of functional medicine has given us concrete answers and solutions, whereas years of allopathic testing and treatments (drugs) only lead to much frustration and the realization that suppressing symptoms was not the answer.

If you want to finally identify what is making you sick (i.e. environmental triggers), discover what your actual nutritious status is (i.e. biochemical defects) and learn how to support your body, mind and spirit then we implore you to take the time and invest in yourself. We found it a bit overwhelming at first but the support we received made the transition much easier and now it has become our lifestyle".

Marie Matiaszow, Calgary AB Canada

"When I first came to the Hoffman Centre, I had a multiplicity of problems, from painful rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure to a whole host of digestive problems and continuous infections.

I was in constant pain and was taking so many medications the side effects were creating new problems faster than I could clear the old ones. I was depressed, discouraged and demoralized. After a thorough diagnosis by Dr. Bruce Hoffman, I felt ready to tackle the leaky gut he felt was at the bottom of many of my problems.

I went on a specially designed diet, eliminating many of the foods I showed sensitivity to, and taking the anti-inflammatory and digestive supplements recommended by Dr. Hoffman. After only three months of changing my eating patterns, I have lost thirty pounds (without really trying), been able to stop taking all of the anti-inflammatory drugs and the pain killers I was taking, eliminated stomach medications and cut my blood pressure medication in half. The nausea, stomach cramps, gas, and irritable bowel I experienced before have disappeared.

I feel so much better, my depression has lifted and I feel in control of my world and my health for the first time in years. I am also starting to clear the toxins out of my house, I am trying to follow the basic rhythms of the day and season and have started meditating daily. I am also exercising regularly four to five times a week and am looking for a yoga instructor who will help me adapt the yoga positions to accommodate the limitations of my rheumatoid arthritis. If this is the result of only three months of eating properly, think about what could happen with the rest of my program".

Ruth Wahl, Calgary AB Canada

"I had gone to see Dr. Hoffman because I was exhibiting a number of symptoms, one of which was my failing memory. After some testing he strongly suggested that I have my amalgam fillings replaced. At the first appointment the right side of my mouth was done, one upper and three lower teeth. I felt improved after that.

A week later, the left side was done; this included five fillings and one extraction. When I got home, I felt some discomfort as the anesthetic wore off, so I took an Advil tablet and went to sleep for an hour. I woke up feeling fine. I was scheduled to be at a prayer meeting that evening, and felt well enough to go. When we got home, I felt so well I thought I would probably not be able to go to sleep again so I took another Advil tablet and went to sleep immediately.

The next morning I woke up thoroughly rested and feeling great. I literally bounced out of bed. Blood was still oozing from the extraction site, but I felt good, so I carried on my usual activities all day. I am hard pressed to describe what was different.

I felt a lightness and a sense of well-being in a physical way that was not unlike the tremendous release I felt in my spirit when I went through the experience of being born again into the kingdom of God. At that time, I felt so free, so at peace and so elated it was like my spirit was soaring. To this day, I can return to that place. Now, the depression is gone. At this point, I can't say that my memory has improved, but my alertness certainly has, and I'm grateful for that".

Annabelle Bondar, Calgary AB Canada

"My first appointment at the Hoffman Centre was on February 17, 2003 to have my blood tested at the cellular level. I was looking for an alternative method to reach optimum health and wellness. The first meeting with Dr. Hoffman was brief and it was the beginning of an incredible journey.

As an everyday person, just like you who will read this testimonial, I have learnt to honor the difficulties in life, as well as the successes. I am a woman with compassion and gratitude. Over the past years, Bruce has encouraged me to look at myself in the mirror. I have looked at my most important values, my mission and my passion.

Nutritionally, Bruce has encouraged me to look at the idea of what is eating at you, not what you eat. By eliminating sugar from my diet, as well as desserts and bread I am no longer insulin resistant. By eating more green vegetables and proteins, I hope to reach my goal weight in just a few months. Bruce explains the essence of the supplements and the testing he does in order to measure alkalinity, age, heart rate variability, mercury levels, the correlation between teeth and health, and the detoxification process to eliminate heavy metals and toxins. Bruce is so giving, and yet so humble.

He is always working, learning, studying, and caring for his patients. His knowledge is vast. He uses many different mediums such as chelation, Ayurvedic and holistic practices. The Hoffman Centre is like my second family. It is because of you, Bruce, that I am where I am today. You said I am a self-actualized woman and I can feel very grateful for all you have done. The program at the Hoffman Centre is about you, Bruce, your vision, your passion, and your many years of hard work. You are definitely a master healer".

Rina, Calgary AB Canada

"Everyone will want to start down the road to longevity, once they take your workshops. Extraordinary seminar on functional medicine, providing valuable information for patients, health care providers, families and friends of those affected by complex disorders.

The 7 Stages to Health and Transformation™ seminar is the key to recovery; understanding the many factors of one's condition and treating each one with appropriate therapy means no more fear, anger or frustration. Thank you again for charting my path enabling me to add life to my years, not just years to my life".

Sherri-Lee Parsons, Calgary Alberta Canada

April 8, 2008 It was August 2006. Always keen for a new health kick and a new way to lose weight I decided to try out the cayenne pepper cleanse. The cleanse involved drinking a mixture that contained cayenne pepper. I was doing this for about a week when one day I was laying in bed just about to fall asleep and I noticed my feet had fallen asleep. I was a little annoyed because there was no reason and it's a bit of an uncomfortable feeling: pins and needles and a bit of numbness in my feet.

The next day I woke up and my feet were still numb. Thinking it must be a pinched nerve I went to my chiropractor and asked her to make things better. She did an adjustment and expressed a bit of concern that both feet were feeling numb. I told her about the cayenne pepper and she told me to stop taking it. I did stop taking it but to no avail. 9 days later and feeling very fatigued I decided to phone Health Link.

After giving the nurse my symptoms she asked me what I thought I should do. I told her I'm sure it's not a big deal. My feet are simply numb and I'm tired I told her I would just take it easy. Unfortunately, she didn't agree. She suggested I go to the closest emergency as soon as possible. I took her advice. Even at the hospital I kept thinking this is ridiculous. I simply have numb feet and I'm tired. After 7 hours of waiting I was finally seen by a doctor. The doctor was perplexed and made a referral to the urgent neuro clinic.

I was seen a few days later by a neurologist. I was devastated when she mentioned Multiple Sclerosis. This had entered my mind but I was sure it was just the cayenne pepper. It couldn't be MS. The neurologist wanted to monitor me a few months before she made a diagnosis. First was an MRI of my back and neck, which showed plaque that could be a result of the MS. She wanted to do another MRI in 3 months.

In the mean time my husband and I went on an extensive tour of Asia: 5 countries in 3 weeks. I was exhausted when we came home in the middle of October. I thought I was just suffering from jet lag and couldn't seem to recover. I just couldn't stay awake at work. I knew that fatigue was a side effect of MS so I contacted the MS clinic but they weren't very helpful. I was prescribed a drug that would help keep me awake during the day but it was dreadful for trying to go back to sleep at night. Finally someone at work who knew I was suffering mentioned the Hoffman Centre.

I called and set up an initial consultation. My first appointment was in the middle of December just before I was to leave for a Christmas vacation. Before going on vacation I completed all of the initial testing, I had my initial consultation with Amy Bondar, the dietician. I would receive all of my results when I returned in the New Year. As soon as I got back I would also have a private MRI so that we would know what we were dealing with. January 8th was the day I received my MRI results and the day I would start my journey with Dr. Hoffman. I had received my MRI results in the morning and when I went see Dr. Hoffman in the afternoon I was still in tears. The MRI had come back with a diagnosis of MS. 3 lesions were identified on my brain.

Dr. Hoffman was very encouraging. He made me believe that if we couldn't cure it we could certainly put it in remission for a very long time. He appreciated how exhausted I was. He told me that this was actually adrenal fatigue and something I could overcome. That day I started a 5-month leave of absence from work so that I could work full time on my recovery. I really needed that time off. Getting healthy really is a full time job.

On that day in January my symptoms included fatigue that was absolutely disabling, both of my feet were numb and I had electric currents running up and down both legs. I can't tell you what an uncomfortable feeling this is. And mentally it's a constant reminder of the disease. On January 8th I started the supplement program, I changed my diet and stopped eating foods that I was sensitive to and foods that trigger MS. (I found out that I was allergic to cayenne pepper and this was contributing to inflammation) I started meditating and doing yoga and I rested a lot. I just had to let my body recover from some of the stresses it had experienced in the last couple of years.

In addition to being diagnosed with MS I had also just been diagnosed with a serious case of abnormal cervical cells and I had chronic bladder infections. In order to deal with the bladder infections I was actually taking an antibiotic daily to try and prevent them. Doctors had been telling me it was simply something I was going to have to live with.

In February and March I had my amalgam fillings removed by Dr. Evans. Once this was done I would be able to start the chelation process. I did everything Dr. Hoffman asked me to do and it worked!!!!! By March I was symptom free. I still had some fatigue but it had seriously improved. I was off of work until May when the fatigue had subsided enough for me to return to work.

It is now 15 months later and I haven't had a recurrence of a bladder infection. My abnormal cells were removed and at my 6 week visit the Dr. told me I looked like I had been healing for 6 months. I am still free of ALL tingling and numbness. Everything is looking up. Dr. Hoffman talks about the 7 levels of healing. By doing the meditating and participating in yoga like Dr. Hoffman has suggested and by taking supplements that help my anxiety I have been able to significantly reduce my stress level and stress that I do have is much better managed.

I have seen Dr. Baker to clear some of my emotional issues and she has been amazing. I tell people, because of work that I have done with her, I feel so much more calm, serene and together. The change that I feel is absolutely amazing. I am very grateful for everything that both Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Baker have done for me. My journey will be lifelong and it is manageable knowing that I will always have support at the Hoffman centre.

The whole team at the centre is amazing and I am so grateful for having my health. I think we take our health for granted until we don't have it anymore. I treat myself and my body much better now. Sherri-Lee Parsons

Wendy Lecher, Calgary Alberta Canada

Wendy Lecher, Calgary, AB (Mother of Josiah) When I was a little girl my hopes and dreams were to have two healthy and happy children. Unfortunately, we couldn't have our own biological children so we proceeded with adoption where we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy.

My husband and I were both very happy until at the age of 19 months, after his last set of vaccines when we started to notice that our son started having a very odd behavior.

At this time we noticed that he stopped saying any words, he started flapping his hands, walking on his toes, very sensitive to loud noises and crowds of people. He became fixated on power lines, spinning wheels on his trains and obsessed with Baby Einstein movies. He also stopped eating all the foods he used to enjoy.

I began doing some research on the internet and each day became more convinced that our son was autistic. We were devastated and felt very lost without knowing which way to turn or what to do next. I took my son to our pediatrician and told him my concerns and the research that I had done. He told me he was just a bit slow and would catch up.

I took my son home but still wasn't convinced that this was the case. I went back the next week and demanded that he be tested for autism and that I wanted my son to see a neurologist at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. We went to the appointment and the Doctor agreed with us that he showed traits of autism and recommended that the best chance we could give our son was to get him tested for autism.

My son was diagnosed at the age of 2 ½ years old. At this point we applied for funding to help get him into Early Intervention Therapy, (behavioral, speech & occupational). Our son was in therapy for about six months when my husband and I attended an Autism conference in Vancouver. This is where we heard so much about the DAN Protocol Biomedical Treatment that gave us hope to help our son.

At first my husband and I thought we were going to have to travel to the US and live there, but with yet more research we found Dr. Bruce Hoffman's Centre for Integrated Medicine. My son started treatments in October 2007 where Dr. Hoffman did extensive testing and informed us that even though our son seemed healthy on the outside, he was a sick little boy on the inside.

As we had learned earlier from the Autism Conference that a lot of the autistic behavior comes from inflamed gut issues, yeast build up, heavy metals, etc.. This only confirmed that we had made the right choice by going to see Dr. Hoffman.

My husband and I were very impressed at how knowledgeable he was about autism, and how to treat our son. The results we have seen thus far has helped us continue with the protocol. Right away, we started on the GF/CF diet that has made major improvements in our son's behavior.

After one year of following the protocol our son has been sleeping a lot better, only waking once in the night instead of 4-5 times, he isn't fixated on power lines, baby Einstein, eating non edible food, or eating toilet paper. His crying outburst have pretty much stopped, and he is more focused on learning and playing with his toys.

His bowel movements and inflamed gut has improved 90%. I can now take him into a store without him having a meltdown. He rides the school bus to school with the help of an attendant. Fine and gross motor skills have improved a lot. My son is now 5 years old and although he is still non-verbal, he understands everything I say to him and most of the time will do a task that is asked of him.

My husband and I both feel that the treatments we have done for our son has made major milestones. We know that he will always be autistic but we believe that with the help of Dr. Hoffman and the DAN's Protocol, Early Intervention and other treatments available that our son will lead a healthy and normal life.

Gary & April, Calgary Alberta Canada

Recently my wife and I came to the Hoffman Clinic seeking help for our son who is an ASD affected 2.5 year old. Our son had begun regressing in his development and did not try to talk or communicate with us, which left us feeling helpless to determine what we could do for him. As we worked with the Hoffman Clinic to identify things that were best for him, it was recommended that we attend a seminar on electric and magnetic fields to gain an understanding how they can affect people, especially susceptible individuals such as our son.

By attending the seminar we learned how the electric and magnetic fields around us and in our home, can negatively impact the body and its ability to rest and heal. The seminar also talked about simple techniques that can help to reduce the fields around us, and creating a healthier environment. Our son's sleep patterns at the time were terrible; he did not go to sleep easily, and would wake up crying 3 or 4 times nightly. With nothing to lose we decided to try some of the techniques suggested at the seminar we had attended.

We started by shutting down all the electric power in his room and then began shutting down the power to the rooms around Lin. The difference was amazing. Not only did he go to sleep much easier at night, the number of times he woke up dramatically reduced. The powerful impact of this became startling real to us when, for one night, we reverted back to leaving the power on and he again had trouble sleeping and woke up 4 times in the night.

Since then, and with the help of Dr. Hoffman, we have used a body voltage meter and determined that by shutting the power off in his room we had effectively reduced 75-80% of the electric fields affecting his sleep area. We have also been able to eliminate that as the issue when he does wake up in the night and for the parent of a child who is unable to say what is bothering them, it is critically important to narrow it down so you can determine what is needed to help them.

Many thanks to Dr. Hoffman and his staff for helping us understand this unseen concern that was negatively impacting our little one's health. And many thanks for the much needed rest it has returned to our family. Sincerely, Gary and April

Kevin Noakes, Calgary Alberta Canada

In the winter of 2007 - 2008, Zendrek Eon Noakes was showing signs of a nervous disorder that progressively got worse to a point that it was starting to be socially disruptive, and was later diagnosed in the fall of that year as Tourette's Syndrome by a Pediatric Tourette's Syndrome Specialist at the Alberta Children's Hospital.

Tourette's Syndrome is multifaceted involving motor and vocal involuntary behavior that can be accompanied by hyperactivity, emotional sensitivities, and disturbances, and as such. It is a neurological disorder probably caused by dysfunctional relationships of neurochemicals in the brain.

Our question was why was this happening to Zen and how could it be treated. The Tourette's Syndrome medical experts did not have an answer. We were told that there was no known cure for Tourette's Syndrome and that how or why this syndrome was affecting our son was unknown and could not be determined.

All that could be done by the experts in this field of medicine was to treat the symptoms with behavioral and mind altering drugs. The prognosis of this Tourette's Syndrome diagnosis was to

1. Do nothing and wait to see if the syndrome progresses and gets worse or stabilizes, and

2. Treat him with neuropharmaceutical drugs to dampen his uncontrollable twitches and noises if the symptoms become personally or socially detrimental.

Both of these proposals were unacceptable to both his mother and I. At this time, another of our children was being treated by Dr. Hoffman with a nutritional and supplement plan for dealing with the developmental issues of Down Syndrome. We brought our concerns for Zendrek's diagnosed condition to him.

Dr. Hoffman proposed both a reason for the development of Zendrek's Tourette's Syndrome and a method for relieving it without the use of neuropharmaceutical drugs. He proposed that something was causing an inflammatory response in Zendrek's brain, and that it was this that was triggering the tics of the Tourette's Syndrome behavior.

We agreed to have him tested in order to identify any food or environmental sensitivities that could be the source of the inflammatory reaction, and thus be the trigger of the Tourette's Syndrome behavior. As well, an assay of Zendrek's biochemistry was also required to review his neurochemical make-up.

The results of the tests showed that Zen was allergic to some foods, and sensitive to quite few others. The list added up to 3 food allergies and 33 food sensitivities. In addition, they revealed that he had some neurochemical imbalances.

Based on the results of the testing, Dr. Hoffman prescribed a dietary and nutritional supplement plan for Zendrek. The dietary part of the plan is designed to eliminate the foods, to which he is allergic to. We would rotate and reduce the consumption of foods that cause moderate sensitivity to once every 3 months. And to once every 3 weeks for the foods that cause light sensitivities.

When Zendrek is on the prescribed dietary and nutritional supplement plan, the tics fade away. When Zendrek is not on the dietary and nutritional supplement plan, the tics quickly return. Within about 6 to 7 weeks of the initial application of the dietary and nutritional supplement plan for Zen; his tics progressively and completely vanished.

We decided to celebrate this by going out to an eatery with him to have him select the foods that he liked that had been restricted or eliminated from his diet according to the dietary and nutritional supplement plan (pancakes, eggs, milk and syrup). Within ½ hour of finishing his meal, the tics had returned and noticeably got worse throughout that day.

Startled by this, Zen was returned to the rigor of the dietary and nutritional supplement plan. Within about 2 weeks, his tics progressively and completely vanished, again. We have since continued with the dietary and nutritional supplement plan but not as rigorously.

Knowing that the behavioral tics seem to be controllable dependent on the amount he consumes of certain kinds of foods, we allow Zen some foods that he is very sensitive too (gluten, dairy and egg based foods), now and then, that he distinctly reacts too, because it is either convenient for us to do so (being on a trip somewhere) or that he really likes a food that contains one or more of these substances.

The appearance of the Tourette's Syndrome tics corresponds to these changes to his diet. . Sincerely yours, Kevin & Mildred Noakes April 3, 2009

Scott Walker, Bangkok Thailand

I wanted to send you all a follow-up letter so that you would know that I am very healthy these days -- having mostly overcome my severe gut health troubles and food intolerances -- and let you know how exactly that happened.

In a nutshell, my food intolerances or sensitivities which were *so* incredibly bad before are under control again. Before, Dr. Hoffman, the slightest contact with onion made me sick for weeks (months?) because my guts were so fragile; now, I can be exposed to and even eat small amounts of onion without major issues (just some minor discomfort and lowered energy for a few hours).

I believe that the L-Glutamine is the primary supplement, which gave me my health back, and it feels like the other supplements just supported me energetically, etcetera, while the L-Glutamine was doing its job. And, as you would say, the L-Glutamine just held me together to give me time to do some of the targeted emotional and spiritual work that I needed for real healing, which I gained from attending two of Dr. Demartini's seminars as well as continuing some work with his methods on my own.

The infra-red sauna was also critical in my case for removing the toxins I had been absorbing through my unhealthy gut lining. None of this made me completely healthy, however, for I was still quite sensitive to many of the foods, which had been giving me trouble for so long, even though I was very healthy when I avoided those foods.

It was yoga, which cemented my healing, or put the icing on the cake of my healing processes. After doing yoga 5 or 6 days per week for 3 1/2 months this spring and early summer at the Bodhi Tree in Calgary (with a particular instructor/guru who resonated particularly strongly with me, John Pattison), some of my food sensitivities were eliminated and the remainder were greatly reduced, and my health became quite robust. These days, I am still doing yoga, and am healthy and happy, having switched professions from Engineering to teaching high school science and math (with a smattering of Dr. Demartini's teachings and the philosophies of yoga), and have moved countries (for the time being, at least) from Calgary to just outside Bangkok, Thailand, and life is great! (Plenty of challenge, but plenty of support, too -- just great.)

So I wanted to thank you all deeply, from the bottom of my heart, for your part in healing me! -- Dr. Hoffman, Dr. Demartini, and the wonderful instructors at the Bodhi Tree (especially John Pattison). It's amazing to compare how desperately unhealthy I was to my excellent health a year-and-a-half later, and how on-track my life feels today.

So thank you. With love and gratitude, Namaste, Scott PS - I continue to do yoga on my own though I'm looking for a good studio near me. And I intend to do yoga teacher training at some point, perhaps next spring in India.

The Jasper family's Lyme Story

In 2003, our son Russell who was 17 at the time came down with mononucleosis, an illness common in his age group and one that his doctor assured us would be gone in 4 to 6 weeks. He was graduating from high school and looking forward to starting university in the fall. An honors student, top in his class in mathematics and an elite soccer player, he had everything going for him.

When he didn't recover from the mono he had all the usual blood tests and was told he was normal - 'just needed a little more time'. After 5 years, 4 failed attempts to start university, a parade of tests, supplements, IVs, and specialists he was a shell of his former self. His world was devoid of social contact and confined to two rooms in our house where he spent his whole time. He was unable to go outside, could barely walk and had basically resigned himself to the fact that he would never get better.

However, the story does not end there. In 2005, two years after Russell became ill, but at the same age, our daughter Katie also succumbed to a similar set of symptoms. A top student at her school with numerous awards in science, mathematics, arts, and sports, she was stricken soon after graduation. Her passion was ice hockey and she was an elite hockey player. She had a top scholarship to Queen's University and, like our son, had a promising future. Her time at Queen's lasted less than 2 weeks before she was too ill to continue.

As with Russell, she took all the tests that traditional medicine had to offer but with no treatment or hope provided.

We tried many different treatments. The traditional medical system had nothing to offer and the myriad of naturopathic and alternative treatments they tried had failed to have any effect. They had essentially given up hope of ever getting any better. Here were two young people, severely disabled, isolated and without hope.

By this time, both were completely disabled with this mystery illness, unable to tolerate light or sound, unable to climb stairs, walk any distance, read, socialize or venture from the house without aid.

In addition, Russell was now experiencing serious neurological symptoms including tingling and numbness in his hands and feet, which was progressing, up his arms, legs and torso, walking with a stumbling gait and experiencing lack of sensation in other organs. Katie was experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms including severe stomach pain, inability to tolerate most foods and serious weight loss.

By this point Russell had been ill for 6 years and Katie for 4 years. Both had complete workups by relevant specialists, neurologists and gastroenterologists, who were content to conclude their problems were psychiatric, in spite of the fact they had been evaluated by psychiatrists who concluded they had some organic illness which their GP's should uncover and treat.

At this point, we, their parents, believed Russell was dying and that Katie was following behind him. Russell is 6"1" and weighed about 140 lbs, Katie, 5"7" and weighed less than 100 pounds. No one in the medical system would help them.

I, Susan had also been ill for many years. "Diagnosed" with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia 22 years ago when the children were toddlers, I functioned in a cloud of brain fog, muscle pain, gastrointestinal problems, and extreme fatigue.

Then in the summer of 2009, our family started to experience a series of incredible events. Katie watched a TV show called "Mystery Diagnosis" and learned about Lyme Disease. Both Katie and Russell had been tested for Lyme Disease in 2005 by a Canadian lab using PCR testing, and the results came back negative. This show indicated that testing was not very reliable, especially in Canada, so we were all three tested in a lab in the US and the results came back positive at various different levels.

We soon discovered that treatment for Chronic Lyme Disease holds its own set of challenges, political, financial and medical. We were incredibly fortunate to find Dr. Bruce Hoffman, an experienced MD in our own city who was willing to try treating us all.

We say, "willing" because treatment is not a straightforward matter. The bacteria which causes the disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) can take several different forms, can hide away deep in the body's tissues and internal organs, and the antibiotics used to treat it can cause severe reactions and consequences of their own.

As well, the body needs to be prepared for the rigors of the treatment, including surviving through the die-off and release of toxic compounds by the bacteria as they are killed off.

Also, in our cases, the Lyme infections are accompanied by co-infections with other hard-to-treat organisms. All of which had been become entrenched over years and years of undiagnosed illness, burrowing deep into tissues and establishing infections hidden away and sustained.

We are not sure how or when we all three contracted the disease. We lived in rural BC and summered in cottage country in southern Ontario. Both places are likely areas for us to have contacted ticks in the environment. None of us ever were aware of being bitten by a tick and none had the "diagnostic" bull's eye rash.

We may have all three contracted the disease independently or Susan may have already been ill with the bacterial infection, with the children becoming infected in utero and not showing signs of the infection until another immune stress allowed the bacteria to flare. We will never know which of these scenarios is more likely.

Because of the politics surrounding treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease, the atmosphere in the Canadian medical system, and the lack of understanding of this complex disease we were forced to obtain treatment privately so as to be able to provide the in-depth, time-consuming, and intensive treatment that is necessary. The first year of treatment for our son and daughter alone cost us personally $100,000.

At this point, our friends stepped in. They formed a committee and organized a fund-raiser for Russell and Katie. They took over the solicitation of donations, organization of the event and sales of tickets so we could focus on treating our children.

They reached out to friends and strangers alike who responded with amazing generosity. This support buoyed us all through a very dark time of waiting to see if treatment was going to stop the advance of this horrible disease and be able to reverse the damage done. We were fighting for our children's lives but for the first time in this journey we didn't feel like we were fighting alone.

Right from the start, Russell experienced improvements, slowly but steadily. The first phase of the treatment involved supporting body organs and correcting metabolic imbalances with supplements and IV therapy.

His neurological problems began to diminish, his walking improved, he was able do some light exercises, and even gained back some of the 50 pounds of weight he had lost. Katie's gastric problems were making her progress slow, but gradually over the first 8 months of treatment, she improved and gained weight too.

They slowly became able to tolerate a bit of light and sound, becoming able to participate in family conversations and tolerate daylight. Their worlds expanded to the whole house instead of being confined to single dark, quiet rooms.

Both started trying to eradicate the Lyme bacteria using herbs at first and progressing to oral antibiotics. This was to kill off the easy-to-get-at bacteria in the blood stream and try and decrease the die-off reactions in subsequent therapy when the deeply buried organisms would become the target.

Russell continued to progress fairly steadily, but Katie had to fight her way through some very serious antibiotic reactions to finally find the ones she could tolerate. Seeing her brother improve sustained her and gave her the hope that she too would improve at some point.

In the spring and summer of 2010 they started IV antibiotic treatment and Katie especially responded well. Coupled with an anti-viral drug, she was now able to leave the house and slowly resume her university studies. Russell experienced liver and kidney distress over the long-term with the IV therapy and has needed to take several breaks to let these organs rest and repair.

Additional antibiotics were added over the course of the summer for both Katie and Russell, to go after the intracellular, extracellular and cyst forms of the Lyme bacteria and target the co-infections accompanying the Lyme infection.

I, Susan, also started treatment and am experiencing amazing recovery in my health. I no longer have crippling brain fog, exhaustion and muscle pain.

We have a long way to go to regain our health, as individuals and as a family, but for the first time we have hope and reason to believe that this will be possible. Dr. Hoffman is not only an experienced and gifted medical doctor but also a true healer. His guidance, experience and knowledge are the key factors in our recoveries. This is an incredibly complex illness with many pitfalls in the road to recovery but for the first time, we see a future for our children and our family. Simply put, he is saving our lives.

For more information on Lyme disease, links to other resources and details on Russell and Katie's struggle and progress please visit our website:

http://www.friendsofkatieandrussell.ca/