Twenty years ago I thought eastern healing and mind-body medicine were a bit of hogwash. Paralysis changed everything for me. 

I ended up in the emergency room unable to blink. I couldn't move and had no idea what was happening to my body. As they put in the morphine drip to ease the pain, my relationship with the life I had known changed forever. The doctors told me I had Guillain Barre Syndrome, whereby the body attacks the nervous system.  Luckily, the diagnosis was hopeful: this type of paralysis typically lasts six months, with the possibility of lingering paralysis in face and extremities. 

On day three of my stay,  a volunteer healer at the hospital asked if I would be open to her working on me.  Although I was a bit skeptical she seemed like a very warm and knowledgeable woman and I didn't have much else to do so I said yes.  She placed her hands on my head and began a short session.  After five minutes, she stood back and asked if I could try and smile.  The nerve in my right cheek started to fire, making a half smile. I don't know what kind of energy medicine this dear healer was practicing, but she opened up my mind to a new discovery of my body's potential.

I continued to meditate every night.  With a combination of eastern healing and western medicine, I recovered at a miraculous pace.  The doctors called me the "miracle girl," and in nine days I walked out of the hospital in perfect health.  I would never wish this type of experience on anyone but it was through this pain that my eyes opened up to the power that each one of us holds.

I went on to pursue healing so that I could return the knowledge that was given to me.  I have worked with many talented healers and received my Reiki Master training at Kripalu Center.  I never knew the name of the volunteer who placed her hands on me.  In her honor, it is my joy to share the gifts of what she awoke in me.