On the subject of ADD/ADHD it is vitally important that who ever you are telling our story to that you absolutely make sure you tell them that this alternative solution must be completely made in it’s ENTIRETY in order for there to be any benefit at all. This is what helped stop the triggers for our son Seth who suffered so terribly from the time he was 5 until he was 8 years old.

Before I begin, I would like everyone to understand how serious and powerful the prescribed medications for ADD/ADHD truly are. Adderall is linked to 20 known deaths and has been banned in Canada. The United States along with the FDA relies on the results of voluntary reporting by the drug companies to tell us the side effects. Let me emphasize on the word VOLUNTARY Reporting. Ritalin or Straterra have reported between 1990 and 2000 there were 186 deaths from methylphenidate reported to the FDA MedWatch program, a voluntary reporting scheme, the numbers of which represent no more than 10 to 20% of the actual incidence.

 DRUGS: One of the first, and often the most avidly promoted treatment is stimulant, antidepressant or antipsychotic medications.  Schools often suggest a referral to a pediatrician for stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, Adderall, Metadate, Strattera, Focalin,  or Attenade; antidepressant such as Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and more recently the antipsychotic Risperdal.

From the time Seth was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD at 5 years old, our family went on a very depressing journey of specialists and drugs that would only result in consistent dead ends. We started with Ritalin only to find that the side effects were so harsh that he began to have horrific "Night Terrors" that is nothing short of a child hallucinating from the power of these drugs. Taking him off was equally as terrifying while watching our own baby suffer from withdrawals. After many new doctors Seth's body was taking a toll for the worst. By the time he turned 8 years old, he was taking two 8 hour time release pills of 36mg Concerta. The company that manufactures Concerta had to advise us that they would never recommend any child to take this type of dosage for fear of a heart attack or stroke. When we brought it to the doctor’s attention, he would not admit nor agree with what the company told us. Needless to say we left that doctor and took our son to someone more responsible to take him off both dosages. Along with the two Concerta, Seth needed to take Paxil and Seroquel to counteract the side effects of the Concerta that were causing our son to be deeply depressed and the Straterra that was causing him to become psychotic. All four of these pills together were given to him at 6:00am before school and by 11:00am he would need to go see the school nurse to take Straterra 25mg to get him through the rest of the day.

I know that by now you must think the worst of us as parents but I can not express enough how many parents there are in the world today who are desperately trying to find the answers to save their child's life. Keep in mind that you will hold the answers to their prayers. We were exhausted with this endless journey of pills and it was all we could take to stand on our own alone to go and seek the answers by ourselves. It would take an even longer journey but we were willing to do what ever it took to save our son!!

As people will say that God works in mysterious ways, we happen to answer an ad to hear more about an alternative solution for prescribed drug treatments for ADD/ADHD and before long we were listening to the most enlightening presentation that validated many areas we were already studying. What we learned was how there are many toxins found throughout the home and the environment that cause some people and children’s bodies to become over toxified and keep them from functioning and focusing clearly. This can include all of your every day household products such as laundry detergents, bleach (is known to strip their immune system), dishwasher and dish soaps (that leave behind a bleach residue), household cleaning products, air fresheners (have pesticides and serious poisonous compounds), bathroom toiletries (toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo & conditioners, bath soaps, deodorants, and body lotions just to name a few which all contain formaldehyde). On the average, we use these products in excess every single day. What we are not aware of is how many poisonous chemicals we are ingesting by mouth, inhaling or absorbed through our skin. Studies are now showing how we are surrounded by the industrial age of synthetic odors, chemical residues, fumes, and preservatives which have caused some people and children to suffer from what is now known as MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). These toxins are known to provoke all types of health conditions such as ADD/ADHD, Chronic Asthma and Allergies, Eczema, and Psoriasis, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Heart Disease, MS, and Cancer to name a few. With extensive research and with this informative presentation, we were able to find a healthier, safer, non-toxic alternative solution for our entire home and family.

On November 24, 2004, we made the choice to de-tox our entire home by making a full home conversion. By changing stores and replacing ALL of the toxic products with healthier, safer, non-toxic alternatives, we were able to see a dramatic difference in Seth within two weeks. Weeks before, his routine in the morning mimicked Tigger from Winnie The Pooh and bouncing was only the half of it. Now, he was the first one up in the morning, dressed, teeth brushed, hair combed and downstairs already eating. Just by telling you he was eating was a dramatic change in itself. When he was taking his medication, he never had an appetite.  Now he sees life through happier, healthier eyes and is eating us out of house and home. At that time, Seth was 8 years old and only weighed 37lbs.  Keeping weight on him was a full time job. All of the medications were keeping him from having any appetite at all.

With Christmas break rounding the corner we decided with his doctor's supervision, to slowly take him off all of his medications and replace them with patented natural health specific vitamins that were scientifically researched, developed and manufactured by this company that we found. The solution was nothing short of a miracle. Seth was as calm as could be and functioning completely without constant barking from us. After the school break, we sent Seth to school with no medication and just the vitamins but decided not to tell his teacher so to see if she could see the difference herself.

Within two weeks in January 2005, Seth was receiving the most beautiful letters written by his teacher telling us how wonderful he had been getting along. A week later, Seth received a “Best Behavior” award that we framed. His January Progress Report stated top-notch grades that we had never experienced before. Seth was so proud of himself and so were we.

As time progressed and January 2005 closed, we told his teacher of our changes in our home. She was so excited and impressed that she also made the same alternative changes because she had always fought chronic asthma all her life. After she detoxed her house, she no longer had attacks and no longer needed to use her inhaler or steroid prescription. She did experience attacks in school and public places that use industrial harsh cleaners. So she went back to her principal requesting to use only her products in her classroom. Within one week she saw a difference in her own students.

By February 2005, we received the most touching letter of all. Seth no longer needed to receive additional remedial reading offered in the 504 State of Connecticut plan. According to that teacher, he tested very high and no longer needed the class.

In April 2005, Seth made General Honors, received the Strive to Survive Award and the Student of the Marking Period Award. We are so very proud of him and his achievements. What tops that is how he has become so proud of himself. His self-esteem has been lifted by miles.

So for four months, Seth was no longer taking ANY prescribed medications and had only been taking naturally derived vitamins. Due to the results, Seth’s final doctor has made these same alternative choices and has reported to us that now her children no longer suffer from asthma or allergies. To add she no longer suffers from migraine headaches.

Seth is now 11 years old and he is healthier and more vibrant than he had ever been. Everyone has commented on how great he looks and how much he has grown. He is now 4ft 7inches and weighs 75lbs. He is now graduated to sixth grade, is doing fantastic and we are excited to say that he is turning out to be quite the athlete like his dad.

So if you asked us, “Are you selling something?” The answer is, “NO.” We do not sell anything. We have become a voice advocate and support system for our friends, family and community to teach personal wellness and preventative care. If we all do not take a stand to protect our children today then what will become of their children in the future. Prescribed medication is only a band-aid for the symptom. It is about time we all take part in finding the cause.

Making the choice for a healthier, safer solution for our whole family was

PRICELESS!!!

Please let us help you do the same.

Sincerely,

Patricia & Robert Standeford

pstandeford@iglide.com (860)564-7853