I was facing either dialysis or kidney transplant. “Either choice is unthinkable for me,” I told some friends. “I’ve got to do something now, before it’s too late!” Then I determined to try a lifestyle approach to my health problems and I turned to the Hartland Lifestyle Education Center. I arrived with my five different medications for gout, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Diabetes may seem like a minor thing, but it affects all the organs of the body. I used to be a big meat eater, but I wanted to lower my intake of fats to help my diabetes. I also used to be more physically active, but my osteoarthritis started to bother my knees too much. In fact, I have already postponed knee replacement surgery three times. Over time, my poor diet and my inactivity led to excess weight, which hasn’t helped matters. I was a little concerned about the cost of attending the Hartland Lifestyle Education Center, but my health is more important than money. Money can be earned, but once health is gone, the power to earn money is also gone.
What a difference eighteen days at Hartland makes! Now I am off all my prescriptions. I’m thirty pounds lighter, and my cholesterol levels have improved. I’ve even received many treatments on my knees including fomentations, paraffin wax treatments, and pool exercises. I’m walking a lot and my knees are doing better. There is still chronic pain, but with my new lifestyle, lighter weight, and exercises, I am praying that this, too, will go away. The staff here is very conscientious and very helpful. They often share quotes from the Bible, and you can just see that they possess a Christian attitude. There’s no lack of spirituality here. There is prayer before everything, from a hydro treatment to pool exercises. Trust in the Lord is simply part of the regimen. The Hartland staff is committed to our spiritual as well as physical health.
At the end of the session, we were treated to a farewell luncheon and presented with certificates and small gifts. Many students came to support us, as well. I know many people that could also use this kind of help. They need the lifestyle changes that are advocated here. I will certainly tell them the good news about Hartland’s Lifestyle Education Center!
