As I venture forth as one of the pioneer patients receiving human embryonic stem cell therapy I realize more and more that Dr. Geeta Shroff is at the eye of a global controversial storm and I am at the dawn of an age of discovery that will forever change the world.
Since landing on American soil two months ago, I have found myself spiraling into a whirlpool of emotion. While sometimes spinning out of control, those intense emotions collided with an influx of stem cell information causing deep anxiety on all levels. As scientists and researchers speak of worldwide collaboration in stem cell research, I have witnessed outright ridicule for those blasted as radicals experimenting with new therapies in other countries. Egos abound and I am more perplexed. I am left feeling disheartened and surprised by negative responses to what scientists deem people like me to be desperate patients in search of stem cell tourism and miraculous unsafe trea tments abroad. This world is cutthroat. I have come to understand that objective or factual science is inherently influenced by varying degrees of subjectivity or individualized opinions. Respected authorities seem to have adopted a dogmatic system of beliefs and will accept nothing but hard core scientific evidence, frowning upon those who have the courage and audacity to step out of the box and make quantum breakthroughs with clinical trials..
To quote Dr. Laurance Johnston, whom I hold in high esteem…“the scientific process is imbued at all levels – from the economic to the most basic observation – with subjectivity. The more we ignore this fundamental truth and maintain an unswerving allegiance to putatively objective, but in reality systemically subjective, scientific process, the less effective we ultimately will be in developing real-world therapies for many disorders.” (See Dr. Johnston’s article, Objective Science: An Inherent Oxymoron — http://www.healingtherapies.info/Objective%20Science.htm.
My story isn’t enough. The fact that I am living proof that Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy works doesn’t cut it in the scientific world. I am learning that the scientific world seemingly won’t accept anecdotal patient testimonials as credible evidence for innovative technologies. I can’t help but wonder what other revolutionary treatments are being rejected by scientific experts based on their subjective and somewhat limited visions of the world. The naysayers seem to outweigh the optimists.
A few weeks ago I attended The Stem Cell Summit, a global conference in Boston. I discovered an elaborate jumble of ego and tension from professionals and curious neophytes like me from around the world—the religious pro-lifers who are against the whole concept of human embryonic stem cell therapy; those looking for cures squabbling amongst themselves; and those who were quick to demean experimental treatments abroad. I left this conference still wanting to be an advocate and legitimate voice for stem cell research in the United States, yet I can’t help but feel disillusioned by the insurmountable challenges that will need to be hurdled to see change take place. The economical factors alone are daunting. The average cost for a drug to be developed in the United States from crazy idea to having it available for sale is approximately 1.2 billion dollars. With my lay person’s understanding, the FDA has extreme pressure imposed on them and have consequently gone into a very conservative mode. Venture capitalists and Biotech companies want to back innovative ideas but only with projects that are supported by scientific data that is disclosed and not just clinical trials. My guess is if human embryonic stem cell research and treatment is ever approved and made legal in this country, it will be decades before it is offered for clinical trials, let alone available on the market.
Dr. Geeta Shroff has filed for a patent with the US Patent Office for her technology on human embryonic stem cell therapy. When her technology is made public, she will have more than 400 clinical trials conducted over five years to support her case. I congratulate her for having the courage to take such a quantum leap for humanity…and maybe I will be one of her many patients standing on my own two feet, applauding in celebration of restored life and hope.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy is a mission of hope and will change the world. I will continue to speak from my own experience witnessing my body awakening and coming to life after 15 ½ years of lifelessness and nothingness. What I know for sure is that patient testimonials count! The world can learn from those of us who are bold enough to take risks while keeping the faith and standing tall when the world is ostensibly against the odds. I will aspire toward spreading a message of hope in the face of challenge. It is our collective responsibility to be the manifestation of hope. We must do what we can to demonstrate positive change in our world. No vision is too big.
Keeping Strong
Last week I fronted up to Craig Hospital in Denver to undergo rigorous sensory motor tests and URO-dynamics to test the strength of my bladder. Have you ever tried peeing lying down on your back with your legs up in stirrups? Let me tell you, it’s no easy feat as gravity isn’t on your side. As I lay on my back with my legs spread open to four curious onlookers, a catheter was inserted into my urethra and my bladder was filled with 400 ccs of saline. With one pant leg on and one off, my legs were suspended high above my abdomen and I was given the command to pee.
“Okay Amanda, push.”
This was my time to prove myself. With a deep inhalation and one massive contraction of my pelvic muscles a steady stream of fluid spilled into the aluminum tray beneath my bum. I did it! The moment was mine. I felt my face going red and my armpits beginning to sweat.
“Good job Amanda. Impressive! Now stop and we’ll use your electronic stimulator to measure the difference in strength.”
I finished emptying using my Vocare Bladder electronic stimulator device and to Dr. Ruhl’s surprise, my ability to push on my own was stronger than with the device. Yippee. What this means is that my bladder strength and ability to void on my own is improving. Keep in mind, as a complete ASIA A T11-12 spinal cord injured patient, I haven’t been able to pee on my own for more than fifteen years.
I have been able to maintain the strength in my bladder and my ability to void almost completely on my own since returning from India. My bladder muscles weaken as the day progresses. The ease with emptying depends on how hydrated I am and the fullness of my bladder. I have also had regular bowel movements on my own for two months since my return to the United States. While I am not able to empty my bowels fully, the strength and regularity is improving.
My sensory motor testing with Kelly Root in the Outpatient Physical Therapy Department was challenging. This type of testing focuses on isolating muscles and recording the strength on a scale from 0-5. My abdominal muscles scored fives and are incredibly strong, while my hip flexors, hamstrings, gluteals, and quadriceps recorded a trace to a grading of two plus. In life, it is easier to use muscles in combination rather in isolation so although this test was tough, I showed improvement. The sensory tests only record light touch sensations and pin prick sensations below my level of injury, which hasn’t changed much with the exception of slight improvement on my right lower abd omen. What these tests don’t record are deeper sensations and pressure when pressing intensely on a body part. Deep pressure sensation is a noticeable change in my lower body.
I will now have a baseline to draw from for the future. Although I was nervous to undergo testing, it was necessary and will make my progress all the more credible to the outside world.
In the afternoon I tested the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) RT300-S bike (www.restorative-therapies.com or 1-800-609-9166). From my wheelchair, I pulled up both pant legs and stuck patches of electrodes to my quadricep, hamsting, and gluteal muscles on each leg. The RT300-S bike enabled me to participate in both passive and active therapy creating patterned movement in my legs. When the electrodes fired up my muscles, my legs cycled completing movements on their own. I could feel my heart rate accelerate the longer I cycled, so it was an aerobic workout too. How fantastic! This new technology will enable me to take charge of my rehabilitation by ceommitting myself to one hour session, three times a week.
Each RT300-S bike is $15,000 and is rarely covered by insurance…so my fund raising efforts continue. Now is the time to prime my body by increasing muscle strength and blood circulation for future stem cell treatments. I want to give my legs the best opportunity to come back to life. It will be my next goal to provide Dr. Geeta Shroff with this information so that she might consider providing the RT300-S bike in her hospital physical therapy department for patient use.
My Weekly Routine
The parallel bars have arrived after almost two months of waiting patiently for their delivery. Consequently, my daily therapy is becoming more time consuming.
This week Mum generously wired some money into my account to help cover physical therapy costs—yeah Mum! Thank you. I have an amazing physical therapist who has willingly donated three days a week thus far. Tami Cassetty is an angel sent from heaven. She claims PT stands for Pain and Torture, yet I look forward to her P&T. After the weekend I am chomping at the bit to have a good workout with Tami. Dale has been really tolerant with my new toys that are taking up a huge amount of square footage in our little condo on the river. The dining room table has been scooched over toward the window opening up chunk of floor space. My parallel bars are ten feet long by three feet wide. CP has allowed me to use her massage table, which remains upright, and a blue Swiss therapy ball rolls around randomly on the wooden floor.
Every Wednesday I am blessed to work with Emily Hightower, which is a total love-fest. Emily brings my spirit alive and allows me to be me. Tears well in my eyes for no particular reason and my mascara runs. I adore Emily—she is real, she is present, and she knows her stuff. We have a great role model to learn from named Oz—Em’s 11 month old baby boy. My yoga session is mimicked on Oz learning to crawl and walk and the motions he discovered to strengthen his core, while working his legs and balancing on his own. How perfect, to be learning from a little baby boy.
Emily finishes our session with a beautiful meditation that grounds my soul and centers my being for the remainder of the day. Yesterday she guided me through a touch and sensation meditation, feeling each finger with my thumbs and then transferring that feeling into my toes and feet. I could feel deep sensations as Emily pressed on the balls of my feet, pulsing back and forth. I had a true connectedness to my feet with my mind…and then I cried happy tears of wonder again. Emily is a gift from Harold Grinspoon, who also funds CP to massage me in total decadence once a week on Saturdays. I am so grateful to have an amazing community who continues to love and support me in my home and from afar.
Fund Raising: Partnering for the Greater Good of Humanity
Depending on my progress after each treatment, I envision returning to India for ongoing stem cell therapy 4-6 times in the next two years, which translates to approximately another $100,000 that I will need to raise in total. I am currently raising money for my next visit in January and then again in May, 2008. Each treatment will require a month’s stay in Delhi at the cost of $15,000 plus airfares and other living expenses. I have embarked on a venture that is not cheap, yet in the grand scheme of my life time and the possibility that I will regain more strength in my legs, I cannot put a dollar on this value. I feel like the most grateful woman alive.
While I struggle with asking people for money, I recognize that it is also an opportunity for others to give for the greater good of humanity. The world will watch my body awaken and I shall spread a message of hope for those who no longer have reason to give up.
I would like to thank all of the individuals who have made contributions so far. It is due to your loving kindness and belief in me that I have been able to pursue this remarkable journey of Awakening! Thank you for your support and care.
An account has been set up at Alpine Bank for individuals to make direct deposits:
Alpine Bank
PO Box 349
Basalt, CO 81621
Tel: (970) 927-3101
Alpine Bank Routing Number: 102103407
Account Number: 5050053392
Please make checks payable to: Amanda Boxtel or Stem Cell Therapy in India
Checks may also be sent to my personal post office box:
Amanda Boxtel
PO Box 3767
Basalt, CO 81621
USA
Michael Fox, CEO of the Aspen Club and Spa is hosting a fund raising event for me and three other individuals who have their sights set on traveling to India for stem cell treatment in 2008. The event will be combined with the Aspen Club’s 10th Anniversary Re-Grand Opening Party. Thank you Michael for your continued loving support.
SAVE THE DATE
“PURSUING POSSIBILITIES”
A Fund Raiser in Support of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment
DECEMBER 18, 2007
4:30 p.m. until Close (10 p.m.)
The Aspen Club & Spa
“10 years ago Challenge Aspen was the beneficiary of our grand opening night and at that time Amanda Boxtel was a co-director. This year we are proud to announce we will be supporting individuals in the community who are undergoing Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy at our December 18th Re-Opening Celebration Party. Amanda Boxtel, who recently returned from India with incredible results, will be one of the individuals going back to India in January. Ed Allen who has Parkinson’s Disease along with Allen Orcutt, will accompany Amanda in January. Leah Roland, an incomplete quadriplegic, will be going for the 1st time in the spring.
So save the date and plan on attending our Re-Grand Opening Party. We will have food, drinks, music and a special guest of honor.”
Casey McConnell, Marketing Director
Click on the link below to watch a video of Michael Fox, CEO Aspen Club and Spa, talking about this event.
http://www.uptilt.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=9xi,uw1a,26tn,1h7s,5b7d,5r2i,33i
Click on the link below to watch a video of Amanda Boxtel.
http://www.uptilt.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=9xi,uw1a,26tn,3ujx,mg36,5r2i,33i
River of Life—A Meditation
I gaze at the street lamps amber reflection on the water below. The dark arch of the bridge looks ominous as the light beams down through mottled shadows. It is nine o’clock at night and the river is my constant—a sinuous dance of curving and twisting patterns in motion—always flowing with a life force that never ceases, connecting distant mountain streams to an ocean thousands of miles away. That same ocean connects me to my mother and family in Australia.
I liken the river outside my condo to my spinal cord—my river of life, fully healed, and connecting every nerve bringing light, love and energy to my entire body. I remember back to a meditation I wrote and recorded on a cassette tape when I was first injured. It is the exact meditation I use to this day as the embryonic stem cell gestate in my body.
My Healing Meditation in a Three Dimensional Crystal Triangle
Relax, quieting all vibrations within myself. Take three slow, deep breaths, inhale all that is good and exhale all physical, emotional and mental tensions.
I align myself to all life and creation; to all vibrations of the universe, with love in my heart.
I align myself by forming a central shaft of light and love down through my being. At the center of this sacred place I draw a molecule of energy.
With my mind, I use this molecule of light and love, to create a three dimensional crystal of pure mineral substance around me. On the apex of the three dimensional crystal triangle I visualize pure white healing light.
As I sit in the center of this crystal, I visualize the rays of white light pouring down on me from the apex, cleansing my outer bodies—the mental body, the emotional body and now the physical body. I visualize the light and love of the rays penetrating and filling each cell and atom of every part of my body.
I clean my brain, my heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, bladder, bowel, and all my muscles and tendons. My spinal cord and nerves need to be cleansed and soothed.
Picture the spinal cord: A pliable column of pink nervous tissue extending from the base of the brain to the second lumbar vertebra. It is the length of a 40 cm ruler and the width of a thin finger. Picture the three membranes surrounding the spinal cord. They are bathed in a white healing light. Beneath the white is a soft yellow-green light, healing and soothing the damaged areas like a cool coating of balm. It makes a shshshsshshsh noise. Shshshshssh…aaaaaaaaah… Soft and soothing. Beneath the gre en is a soft blue—a calm and peaceful powder blue. The pliable cord is beginning to respond to this soothing, loving, and peaceful energy.
Suddenly I see streams of orange-red and indigo-purple waves of light and energy streaming down the cord from the base of the brain. These colorful waves of light become a forceful flowing river of water and the colors become brighter and whiter. Huge boulders are being swept away and they dissolve. The water and light is so powerful and intense, swiftly flowing into little nerve tributaries or pathways through the hips, bladder, bowel…down through the adducter muscles—projecting just that little bit further—pushing and making its own pathway. Energy is flowing freely. Picture the water and light combined…flowing towards the knees and hamstrings. They are being activated. Water and light are healing—they make things grow.
Picture the nerve cells or neurons becoming electric with the water and light. They activate the many branching fibers called dendrites, which are now glowing with energy. These nervous impulses picked up by the dendrites leave the nerve cells. The water and light energy flows electrochemically, jumping from axon to axon…from one neuron to another.
These living nerve cells full of water and light energy are now full of oxygen too. They are pulsating rapidly beyond the hamstrings and into the calf muscles…into the Achilles, into the heels of the feet, through the arch to the balls of the feet, and into the toes…to the toe-nails and the very tips of the toes. Lots of little electrical currents flowing freely surrounded by white healing and loving light.
The spine, spinal cord and nerves are now clean, pure and alive.
I now visualize the seven main energy centers, the chakras, or cosmic lungs of my etheric body. My crown chakra, my third eye, my throat, my heart, my solar plexus below the ribs, my spleen, and my base chakra.
I draw God’s radiation of love and light down through my crown chakra, down my spine, to my base chakra; through its stem and out into its petals. I visualize the light rotating in a clockwise direction, releasing all impurities back up through the apex of the crystal triangle. I feel uplifted. (I repeat this cleansing for each of my chakras individually.)
When I have cleansed and activated all chakras, I visualize them all rotating in rhythm and in one straight line. I fill my whole being with this radiation of love and light and ask my soul to draw nearer to my cleansed form in harmony, peace, attunement and protection.
I send this radiation of love, peace and harmony that I have created within myself while in the crystal triangle, out into the universe. I embrace my loved ones, my dog, my friends, all humanity, and all creation with this love and light.
I am One with the universe and I am part of all that is around me. All that I come into contact with, all vibrations, are synthesized and harmonized as they pass through the sides of the crystal and contact my forms. The crystal protects me form all negativity because all that passes in through the sides of the three dimensional walls, is automatically harmonized and uplifted with light and love. I move through all places bringing the light of God’s illumination. I move as a channel of this love and light according to the will of God and the laws of nature.
I am a river of life.
Amanda Boxtel
“Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy has restored life into my limbs and “hope” back into my vocabulary!”
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER
PO Box 3767
Basalt, CO 81621
Tel: 970-927-3630
Email: ABoxtel@comcast.net
Email: amanda@amandaboxtel.com
www.AmandaBoxtel.com
Blog: www.amandaboxtel.wordpress.com
“It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you embrace the changes that take place and who you become!”
INSPIRATION~OVERCOMING ADVERSITY~EMBRACING CHANGE
