Thank you for saving my life.

‍In a short time, Move to Heal has done for me what over a dozen doctors, specialists included, could not. Over the years, our health care system failed me over and over. From an overlooked aggressive tumor to medication errors with chronic adverse effects.

I was living in dark times, and I didn’t want to go on anymore. My trauma left me emotionally and physically depleted. Thoughts of the future never entered my mind. Pain divested my life of happiness, friendships, and wore my family. My skin was rotting off, I was fatigued, depressed, lonely, and I was ashamed of what doctors had done to me. I was beyond lost and hopeless because no doctor would listen or help. I was “nobody’s problem,” and no one cared until I met Ethan Hershman.

I was having my usual horrible day when Ethan convinced me to come to a meeting starting in 45 mins. I had told Ethan my story, and he told me Move to Heal was exactly the place I needed to be. When I arrived, I was welcomed with the biggest smiles by those that would soon become my friends. Before that first meeting ended, I knew I was in the right place. Ethan was right. I needed to be there. That night I heard inspiring stories, and I wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed to tell mine. I cried and cried as I spoke, but the emotional release was refreshing. People listened to me, someone even ran to get me a tissue. After the meeting, I was handed phone numbers and given so many hugs. I found my tribe. For the first time in years, I have hope.

The following week I met with Colleen for nutrition. Colleen has a reputation as a respected local business owner and is known for giving back to the community. She was the second person to fully listen to my story with empathy. Colleen and I had many medical issues in common. After hearing me, we worked on a meal plan together, and she told me to reach out if I had any questions. This kind of support is unheard of in our health care system. I began to feed my body with the proper nutrition for my issues and they are finally slowly starting to get better. I know I have months of work to go, but I am ready to live again. Months of detoxing my body mean nothing if I can have decades of health in the future. I’m ten weeks in and I’m not looking back.  

Next, I met with Joe, a trainer at the gym and active wellness coach. Another happy, healthy, smiling person! A few weeks in Joe spoke of his medical trauma and I knew I wanted to be able to talk about my story as cool, calm, and collected. Joe programs the best workouts and he’s always happy to help me accommodate for my disabilities. As of now, MTH participants include colleges kids to a man in his 70s! We all encourage each other through the workouts and always help each other out - fist bumps and high fives all around. I have never seen a community like this before. I love it.  The last person I met was Allie, who I call the online powerhouse. I heard of Allie before I learned of MTH. She’s another local inspirational small business owner. I was extremely scared to start therapy because it had failed me horribly in the past. I wanted to use the MTH program to its fullest potential, so I booked a session with Allie and I’m so glad I did. Allie has been extremely helpful in my healing process. We still have lots of work to do, but I know I am in good hands and moving in the right direction. We conveniently meet over FaceTime which makes it so easy for my fatigue and chronic pain.

I don’t know where I’d be without MTH. Without it, I wouldn’t be happy, and I wouldn’t have hope. For the first time in years, I am positively talking about the future. I can finally talk about my medical trauma without crying or spiraling into an anxiety attack. I’m no longer embarrassed or ashamed that doctors failed me because I now realize our health care system is so flawed. I would proudly speak at any event or fundraiser for MTH. I know I have to keep moving for a better tomorrow. For myself, for my family, and for those, the health care system has failed and has yet to find Move to Health. Ethan, Colleen, Joe, and Allie have created an amazing movement and I know they will change and save many lives. Move To Heal is the program America needs. Thank you for saving my life.