Where It All Began: Walking Into the Light
In the fall of 1999, then two-year-old Mihdi 'Joon' Brock began the journey of his life with his dad, Marvin. His family had just learned that severe health complications since birth had resulted in a little spine so twisted and curved that he was in danger of death from asphyxiation. The only treatment that Western doctors could provide, and which they described as the best of the worst, would have seen him undergoing surgery at least every six months for years on end. With the family deciding that he just could not be subjected to such a fate, and feeling at the same time that there must be another way out there, he and dad began their journey in search of the treatment plan that would bring light, bring healing, bring hope into Mihdi Joon's life.
So began a journey that has crisscrossed North America several times over; that has seen months worth of hours, perhaps approaching years now, devoted to research, and agonizing thought; that has taken the time and efforts of innumerable supporters to raise funds including a group of young boys in Bermuda who scooted across their home island in what turned out to be hurricane conditions to meet pledges; that has touched the hearts of so many.
This web presentation includes pictures and details of some of this remarkable story. And it tells of finding the treatment that is changing Mihdi's life, which is bringing in the light for him, and a perspective that will hopefully help many others as time goes on.
It's working! In June 2001, after the first eight grueling months of that leg of the journey in the Los Angeles area, Mihdi and Marvin returned to New England where, on June 14, Mihdi had his first set of x-rays taken since beginning treatment with Dr. Baolin Wu, a Master Physician of Chinese medicine including acupuncture, qi gong and herbs, in November, 2000. It was confirmed by Dr. John Emans, eminent orthopaedic surgeon at Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, that the curvature of his spine was now "within 1 or 2 degrees of the same measurement" taken from x-rays in September, 2000. He went on to state that these findings "suggest his current treatment is effective. Further, Dr. Emans recommended that this same course of treatment be continued. As well, Dr. Richard Clattenberg, Mihdi's pediatrician, was excited by the changes he saw in this little boy; his measurements show a weight gain of nearly 4 pounds and growth of 4 inches.
Then, following another 2-1/2 years of daily treatment with Dr. Wu, more follow-up x-rays confirmed the previous results. At that point, Mihdi was well on his way to his 7th birthday thanks in no small part to his supporters, and all those who have contributed financially to the enormous costs of his care, treatment and support.
This encouraging prognosis and direction only reiterated the necessity of continuing with the fund raising drives in order to go the next step and onward to this day. Daily treatments must continue as the goal continues to be the actual straightening of Mihdi's spine. In the long view, this little boy's courage is helping to open up a whole new avenue of treatment for others in the West.
Now, many years later, the journey continues; the progress continues; Oriental medicine is saving Mihdi's life.
