My Story:



In l98l, within a week I became legally blind and numb over much of my body. I was at UCLA Hospital and, though I was dealing with some of the experts in the field, they could not tell me what was wrong with me. Later, after tests, they told me I had multiple sclerosis and should expect to be in a wheelchair within 6 months. I was only 29 and not willing to accept that diagnosis as reality, but it was a springboard for dramatic change in my life. After having the experts, who spent years mastering their area, tell me they could not do much for me, I looked within. I was forced to rely on my inner resources like never before.I remember reading that your body responds to the commands of your mind and, though I did not feel I created this situation, I was determined to correct it. This unfortunate situation made me think of a Norman Cousins quote: "You either reside in your body or you preside over your body." With a positive self-image, I was able to preside over my body, exercise daily and eat a healthy diet. It was 28 years later that I finally ended up needing a wheelchair, but let me share with you what I was forced to discover.



As I lay in bed after coming home from the hospital, I started looking at the way I thought. I saw that when my thoughts were directed to a negative self-image, which was easy to have at that time, I got negative responses to whatever I thought. When I directed my thoughts to a positive self-image, which I was fortunate to have had in the past, I got positive responses to my thoughts. When I thought about the future and the challenge before me, it was obvious what part of me could best deal with that challenge. I then developed ways to consciously condition my mind, so I automatically thought to my positive self-image. I developed ways to be able to switch from whenever I was in a negative state of mind to a positive one. Imagine changing the ability to how you respond to your own thoughts. Your intention strengthens, your determination forces you beyond resistance and you find a natural way to correct limiting thoughts. In 1983, I founded Life Skills Institute, a non-profit dedicated to empowering people facing any struggle to tap inner resources. When inner and outer resources work together in a partnership, personal suffering is reduced, medical expenses are reduced and it is easier to care for that person.



My most recent book, A Healthy Way to be Sick, teaches a practical technique for patients to avoid negative thinking and fears as they connect to the Wisdom of Their Body. To read this e-book, go to http://ahealthywaytobesick.org . I have written over 37 articles for Ezine.com magazine, where I have Expert Status. Many of those articles have been reprinted around the world on other health sites and on my blog, http://lifeskillsapproach.com . I have also written seminar guides, such as Using Habits Instead of Habits Using You and To Struggle is to Grow.



I worked with Vietnam vets with PTSD at the West LA VA in California for 25 years. I developed other life skills that teach people how to consciously control their self-trust, which helps them to use powerful inner resources instead of limiting thoughts. I developed techniques to control negative thinking and avoid self-sabotage. I have given seminars to cancer groups, AIDS groups and the mentally ill homeless. I learned that, no matter what the age or health condition, when a person connects to the Wisdom of Their Body, they play a significant role in the quality of their life.