We Are All Given A Gift

By: Angela Landeros

My first job was working with children and adults with disabilities. Yes, and even women with multiple sclerosis. In my youth I wanted to massage horses, and I eventually got certified. I never wanted to massage people, because I thought it couldn’t be the same as working on an animal, for one, they don’t talk to you with words, and I was ok with that -- horses were what taught me how to truly listen.

When I was really sick right before I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I was no longer teaching, but instead I worked at a local saddlery -- closest thing to horses was helping horse people. I had also eventually, for some reason, become a massage therapist who -- worked on people, who could talk!

I couldn’t concentrate on what you were telling me, but I tried. I kept working multiple jobs, but my brain wanted to explode! Many things were changing, and it seemed physically not for the better, and I didn’t know why! Wasn’t I doing what I should? I had a good mostly gluten-free pescatarian diet, and took lots of supplements.
I was following my path which seemed to be meant for me. I mean, how’d I get to be massaging people?! Something I had never wanted to do. How’d I get out of the arena teaching riding lessons to very special people -- something I had never thought I’d stop doing?

My husband and best friend were there every time I needed them, through every appointment with doctors, neurologists, MRIs and a spinal tap. My skin was on fire, my brain was on fire...my body was on fire. But why? No one could answer that question. I kept going, working and trying to listen. I prayed! And then I met a girl from church, the only one to join my meet up group, for people with MS who didn’t want to sit and complain -- but rather lift each other up! She’s the one who told me about my first online summit: The Autoimmune Summit.

I listened, and listened and listened some more, because finally people are telling me why I was sick and why inflammatory foods were -- well inflammatory, and causing all my symptoms. I truly believe I could have been diagnosed with any autoimmune condition, MS just happened to be what I got on the “Spin The Wheel of Disease” board game. I believe it’s a game of chance, and we are the victims. We won’t get into who’s at fault for ruining the food supply, but I will tell you, that you have more control than you think. Self control and disciple are hard, but disease is harder. Changing my diet to a non-inflammatory diet reversed my skin issues, anxiety, depression, restless leg syndrome, numbness and tingling, and the list goes on.

People I talked to about my health journey were so amazed that the right food could have changed my health and could have empowered me to stop MS treatment! When I say I talked to people -- it’s true I could finally hold two sided conversations, because finally my brain was cool and calm, although now what wanted to explode in me were my revelations! My new knowledge was spilling over! You can’t stop me from talking about my healing and discoveries once you give me the chance to speak. Writing about it and creating a tool for others just seemed like the natural next step.

Someone like me who never wanted to work on people was meant to heal other people through my health journey. A tough girl who never wanted out of the arena -- had to get out of the arena because life was going to change. My health was going to change. Massaging people?! Yes, because MS would cause enough damage so that I couldn’t walk and ride, and be out all day in the sun, I couldn’t walk the sales floor all day at the saddlery either.

By a miracle, I was meant to heal and be strong enough to do it. The left side of my body doesn’t work so well. I can’t walk far without a limp, and I have an action tremor in my left arm. All that and I’m the toughest massage therapist around! I work on athletes 6’4 and 250 pounds, makes the ladies feel like feathers in these tough hands. I told the doctors from the beginning, that my job helps my body. I may not be able to do many hours in a day (to the disappointment of many) but by grace I can do it, and with a fierce passion.

Now I am also meant to heal through telling my story, inspiring others to follow a food protocol that heals and that can, I believe with my whole heart, prevent disease in the body. Publishing my book, The FLog JournaI was a huge leap of faith! My wish is to help people take control of their health by learning to make good food choices with food journaling.

I don’t get discouraged that damage is slow to heal, as long as I believe and know I am healing by small improvements. I WILL keep going. The tremor in my left arm has improved over the years, and I feel better than ever. That’s proof for me!
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Book Links: 
Archway Publishing
https://www.archwaypublishing.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=the%20flog%20journal
Or 
https://theflogjournal.com/
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