John of Peniel Healing Testimonials

 

No More "Flipper Foot"!

I had the distinct pleasure of working with John some months ago. I was born with a mal-formed ankle. My family has always called it my 'flipper foot' as it pointed to the side and had no arch, and when I would walk on sand it left marks that looked much like a flipper! Not only was this ankle painful at times, it had caused several falls, some resulting in serious sustained injury and fracture.

On the day of our meeting, John waited for me in an upstairs room, which was very difficult for me to reach, as climbing stairs was next to impossible for me, but I made it. He greeted me with his legendary bear hug and we had a seat on a very low couch. After speaking for a bit, he took my hands and we prayed together. I felt a shiver of energy in my left hand, then a shiver of energy in my right hand and it was over. John said to me, "Let's see you stand up." I replied, "I might need a hand up off this couch." His reply was a very confident "I don't think so." So I looked him in the eyes and stood up. No pain. I looked down and my 'flipper foot' was perfectly straight and bearing my weight without complaint. We both let out a hearty, joyful laugh and I danced around the upper room then and, literally, skipped down the stairs.

There is not enough money, not enough gratitude, not enough love and thanksgiving to share with him that would actually match the miracle I was given.

John's deep love of God, his powerful faith, and his enduring compassion for others are immediately evident when he walks in a room. That alone is healing. I enthusiastically support his ministry, and am a better, more loving human being for knowing him. - Helen Farmer, North Canton, OH

 

 

"Trust!"

Beloved Ones, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to John Davis. He has come to spread the message of Jeshua to the earth. Jeshua taught John personally, in his past life as John the Apostle, about healing and shared all of the truth with John. John has embodied upon the earth at this time to share healing and truth with humanity. What kind of healing? The kind that encompasses all disease and transforms the body and mind to perfect health. This is accomplished by the healing power of John's words. They travel deep within your heart and mind. Upon hearing his voice you enter a state of deep knowing and trust. Trust that this is the truth he speaks. Knowing that all things are possible because the power of our Christ rings through with deep clarity awakening something deep within you. This part of you is a healer and knows the power can not be stopped. You heal as soon as the realization dawns. Christ lives in your heart. - Terri Z. Greentown, Ohio

 

"You changed my life"

You changed my life. I asked for help with the bipolar thing and fibromyalgia. The bipolar, I believe you said was in my head and to think positively and put FEAR aside. The fibromyalgia, my neck and shoulders are feeling great . . . the complete change of mind that I have made is amazing.  Something drew me to hear you speak [and] meet you in person . . . Amazing to finally awaken from the depression and sadness that I have felt for so long. Thank you for what you are doing and have done with me.  I would really like to hear you speak again and have shared my story with others who would like to hear you speak. You are amazing and the love that surrounds you is so obvious. Thank you for helping me! I look forward to meeting you again someday! —Brenda Morgan, Ohio

 

"I felt so connected to source"

John gave me a brief healing where he just held my hands and rested his hand on my forehead for a few minutes. For the next two weeks I felt so connected to Source and at such a peace like never before in my life. I would go through my days filled with peace and nothing could shake me. It was amazing! I wish I have this connection always, and I hope John will come to the DC area soon! He is an amazing conduit and is doing a wonderful job! I loved his teachings. So simple and so truly resonate with the heart!  — Anonymous, Washington DC

 

"I am healed"

I sat down with John for one half hour and I can say with honesty and sincerity "I am healed". Three simple little words that have changed my life. Forever. Amen. I really think the world will be just a little bit better place because the energy I put out will be more positive. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. - Sandi Evans, Canton, OH 

 

 

"I feel so much love and peace"

After my second session with John, the next morning I started to meditate and I was thinking about what we discussed about how easy it is connect to that higher power but how we make it so difficult and I started with this most uncontrollable laughter, I started laughing and laughing and laughing (and I am not someone who laughs easily) but the laughter kept coming, I mean gut wrenching laughter. I am so glad no one else was home because they would have thought I was insane. Especially since I couldn't stop laughing no matter how hard I tried. My stomach was hurting from the laughter. It was the strangest thing, I never experienced anything like it before. Finally after a time the laughter stopped. After that, for days I walked around with a smile on my face that I couldn't get rid of. And now recently I have been having moments where I feel so much love and peace and everything seems so beautiful, just absolutely beautiful. I almost feel like I am drunk, so euphoric. Thanks again and blessing to all of you.  - Dotti Barthel, Canton, OH

 

Austin Dancer Dances Again

 

Below is my story of experiencing Divine Love through John and Sharon, and of experiencing first hand, the remarkable power of faith healing. Up to this point in my life, as I continued to learn about religions, and as I began to experience 'religious' people and proselytizing (which sometimes is insulting to other faiths), I began to disrespect organized religion. I felt a need to unshackle free wills to experience life - but without any reduction in reverenceand faith for the divine, or for the enlightened beings in whose names these powerful broker institutions had been created. I have developed a kind of obsession to discussing religion, especially with the evangelicans, to churn people to think and not take the easy dictated path of roted routine and dogma, but to take the path of awareness, understanding, tolerance and unconditional love - without judgment for other peoples. The gift of John's experience is to me an affirmation from God, of my beliefs, and of my critical approach to power-structured masculine desert religions.

 

I regularly tour Cincinnati, Ohio forwork. On one such tour, I decided to visit Sally and Jason, friends that live in Toledo, Ohio, 3 hrs from Cincinnati. During that visit Sally stated, “Husband of my colleague is a reincarnation of John the apostle.” As a Hindu, and growing up in India listening to first-hand stories of reincarnation from several family members, I did not roll my eyes like many groomed in the western hemisphere do. I was curious, and got referred to John’s website, and was also given a remarkable CD of a recording of John’s past life hypnotic regression. 

 

The background I come from did not make me roll my eyes, but it took more for me to just accept John-reincarnate. It was mostly what I heard in the regression recording, and a few stories on John’s website - radical truths revealed therein that would not be familiar to one growing up as a Christian, were proof enough for me to believe in John’s story without a doubt. After having met him, knowing him, his Christ-like conduct – of love, humility, gentleness, humor – I wonder what basis one has to doubt their luck and fortune of knowing and meeting John the beloved; shunning his story with intellectual bellicosity. People more readily believe a war monger and his false pretexts to go to war, than a man preaching love and simplicity of pathways to the divine.

 

As soon as I returned fromOhio, I emailed John, asking him to consider a trip to Austin. To my surprise, he responded! I guess being in the early stages of ‘coming out’, he was not yet being barraged by thousands of believers and seekers. Over the next six months, we exchanged emails discussing the similarities of Jesus’ teachings in his regression to Hindu/eastern beliefs, discussed some stories, and in the course of these exchanges I also introduced to him a friend named Matt Bayuk. Matt's voice had begun to fail in the last 4 yrs -he was unable to talk without his voice breaking or able to sing at all. His first passion is music, has a budding career in singing with a band of his own, but is struck with an ailment that no professional or quack had been able to put a finger on. John was able to help Matt considerably through prayer without ever meeting him, a miracle indeed! This was very encouraging, and a story to help bring more people to my house for John’s talk. I recommend you read Matt's full story as well [below]. 

 

John e-introduced me to Sharon (Prince) Wothke, a psychic who triggered John the Apostle within John Davis, and has subsequently partnered with him to ramp up his mission. Sharon happens to live in Houston, Texas and co-ordinated John's trip to Texas including Austin in the plan as well. I was thrilled and anxiously waited while marketing his talk at my place- sending out emails, putting out fliers, conversing with strangers, leaving fliers at Churches – even Baptist Churches! I knew it was mostly futile to leave fliers at Church office mail boxes, but you never know when the seed planted in one allegedly hopeless indoctrinated mind may germinate and seek true light to grow further. In this process I met a woman, a monk who had been to India/Nepal, and as soon as she held the flier in her hand and read a few lines, she said, "What ever this is, must be true as my head is tingling, it does that when something like this is true." I was happy to find a 'non eye-roller'. In this effort I also sent out emails to every yoga teacher in Austin, besides over 120 people in my evite address book. Stacy, my wife, was not happy about all this. This was all 'bull' to her. But she is sweet and relented very easily, for she will do almost anything for me.

 

Finally, at the destined hour, John arrived, I picked him up from the airport, brought him home, where he changed promptly to enjoy the warm Texas weather, and sat outside and conversed with my neighbor while I went out to finish my errands. Then Sharon arrived a few hours later from Houston, I felt her festive energy instantly. She definitely had very unique eyes that had a penetrating attribute. We headed out to lunch with Matt and his buddy Charles at the famous Oasis overlooking lake Travis. John could not wait to meet Matt who John said had a special connection to Jesus. It was a perfect day, perfect atmosphere, and company of wonderful people. The table was emotionally charged, I was sort of floating. Charles, who meditates daily, also felt the elation. John was telling his stories, Sharon was reading Matt and Charles and also their many past lives together. "You have been buddies for many lives, and you will notice you end up in the same place even after separating for a while." I knew this to be true for them. She told many things about me and my family that were all true- just amazing. At one point, John felt the spirit go through him and he showed us how the hair on his hand stood straight up. This same thing I noticed next day during his healing session with my neighbor's new born baby, born with an extra chromosome - an ailment that causes death within 2 weeks of birth (the baby is still alive, three months hence). Anyway, we left Oasis, I promptly got lost - because twice, I did not listen to the psychic (woman) sitting next to me. At least I was assured I was all male. We got back and prepared for the evening talk. One hundred Samosas (Indian stuffed potatoe pyramids) came in on time, and I made Chai (Indian tea) for every one. It was a wonderful group of people, about 25, nowhere close to my expectations. I did introductions, then Sharon started with her portion of the talk subsequently handing it over to John. The talk was amazing, and wonderful. All ears were glued to the sound stream from John. We ended with a quick relaxing meditation. I was touched by John's humility when immediately following the talk he asked me to critique his talk, "what did you think, what can I do better?" I was taken aback a bit. It was perfect - very down to earth, informal but spiced with mystery, suspense, humor, magic, fascination and yet realistic. Realistic - because of just who John is. You see him smile and you feel instant relief.

 

Sharon and John stayed overnight at our place. I made my signature egg dish using south Indian rasam powder as spice, John loved it. Perfect blessing for the deck that had completed the night before. In the afternoon they did a faith healing for one other person and then it was my turn. My feet needed a lot of help. This ailment has been with me for over a decade. It worsened this year to the point of me not being able to walk at all after an exhausting hike day or a dance night. Any night that followed reasonable effort by my feet, I had to crawl to the bathroom when nature called. I could not even stand up many times. I had even begun to use a walking stick for a day or two until the pain subsided. I had to wear shoes all the time so I could use arch supports. Arch supports were of help for some time, but at this point, even with their use I would have trouble. I used to have to put my feet down a certain way when walking, the shoe laces had to pulled tight every hour so my feet felt supported, I could feel bones rubbing at the ankle joint. I was losing the protective layer between joints I think. A friend's doctor wife once said it was arthritis. I never went to a doctor, did not think they could do anything about it, and pain killers have their own side effects. Some nights I did breakdown and use pain killers to be able tosleep.

 

John and Sharon and I sat down for the healing session. John held both my legs above the ankle, kneeling on the floor. He closed his eyes, I followed. I heard Sharon say "your arches have fallen from the burden of other people you help, help yourself first". John saw a previous life of mine wherein I had abandoned my friends/family when on a forced long journey on foot, forced perhaps by a regime.I could not help the ones I loved, but I helped myself by continuing to walk to save myself. Guilt from this made my feet ail. I was already in tears for no reason. I had been limping that day and after the session I was not, now I was not sure if I was limping before or not!

 

Next morning, for the first time I had absolutely no pain, but it could have been just a passage of time cure. "My legs feel great", I said to Stacy. "I will believe it if you can walk after your brother's wedding night", she replied. The wedding was 4 days from John's talk at my place. We left for India. It was a 14 hr flight from Newark to India, direct. Horrible Continental flight, deliberately designed for 3rd world travelers. I was so thrilled with my new legs that I walked around the plane a lot. When the outsourced Nigerian air hostesses expressed unhappiness, I force-told them as to why I was enjoying being on my feet. I scored one out of the three.

 

A few days later we got to the wedding venue, Lukhnow, by an overnight train from Delhi. I was up all day meeting and greeting long lost relatives at the resort. Every one was hosted at by the girl's family. The night arrived, the live 'band' arrived, the music started and I was the first one to start dancing. As the tradition is, the band and the groom's party walk and dance together to the welcome gate where the bride's family welcomes every member with garlands and hugs and then onto the reception. This walk, dancing vigorously, and then being on my feet through the reception with formal shoes that do no support my feet at all was a certain disaster for next day. I wake up, somewhat afraid that the moment of truth is upon me, but I had to have faith. At least there was no pain during the night. Many times pain would surface only when I put my feet on the ground and put load on them. I put my feet down, I stand up! I was ABLE to stand up!......and no pain!

 

"Stacy, look, I am walking, and no pain!".

 

She was very impressed. "OK, OK there is something to John, but this does not give you the excuse to abuse your feet, you should still go see a doctor."

 

I was in bliss, and I won't see a doctor. Since then, many days of exhaustive dancing has followed at worst a minor limp for the first minute of walking after getting up from bed. Using arch support actually causes pain. Now I walk around the house all day on my bare feet, I now only put on Indian slip-on-shoes (jooties) even to go out, and avoid the air tight shoes all together! I love it. Thank you John, Sharon. Thank you God, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.  - Anup Pandey, Houston, TX

 

 

Matt's Singing Story

I have been playing music and singing as long as I can remember. Learning to play instruments and writing music and words came very naturally to me. It was clear to me at an early age that this was my purpose in life, and I have worked hard to develop these skills with the hope that one day I could help others by giving them something they can relate to both musically and lyrically.

I formed a group in college and we were met with great success. That which seemed to be destined for me, came to pass, without question. We recorded our 3^rd album in early 2001 and we were working hard to promote it. It was around this time that my voice began to deteriorate.

At first I thought nothing of it, but as time went on, it became more and more serious. I began seeing doctors who would perform painful endoscopies to simply tell me there was nothing wrong with me... but there obviously was. That was 5 years ago. Since then I have seen several doctors, several vocal coaches, hypnotherapists, and psychologists. Everyone had their theories, but no one could help me... and the problem eventually began affecting my ability to produce sound at all, even in my speaking voice.

It was a very difficult time for me. That which defined me for so long was being taken away, with no apparent reason or solution. I began to loose confidence in myself, as well as hope. I was unable to write anything new.

I have always been a very spiritual person. I was brought up Catholic, and found myself fascinated by other religions and spiritual beliefs as well. They were always a powerful inspiration in my writing. I had already explored healings such as kinesiology and had several “balances” when a friend of mine told me about John. His story was fascinating, and I needed all the help I could get, so I sent him an email in November of 2006 asking him to pray for me. I didn’t know what to expect, but I had received a response fairly quickly telling me he had felt a strong presence of Jesus when he read my email and that I was in his prayers. I was becoming very depressed at the time, and it was amazing to have heard back such a response. A few weeks went by, and I had another experience with my cousin who heals using alchemy, but although I was starting to feel better, my voice had not improved... but something felt different.

My family travels to Mexico once a year just before Christmas to spend time together and I always bring my guitar so I can continue to play while I am on vacation. John sent me an email the first night I was in Mexico letting me know I was in his thoughts, and offering a very wise insight into problems we face... in that “it’s our thoughts that create us”. For some reason, at that moment, it was exactly what I needed to hear. The first days of the trip, my voice had come back to me, not 100%, but I was speaking to people with ease. It was the first time in a very long time that I was able to speak this way. As the week went on, I began to regress, but not before I was able to partially sing for an entire audience of appreciative vacationers one random evening at a piano in the lobby bar.

We returned home, and things were back to the way they were... except again, something felt different. I said a prayer Christmas Eve asking God for my voice so that I may share it with the world. I caught a cold the 2^nd night back in the United States. One evening, stuffed up and tired, I sat in front of the piano. I had long loved the song “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, and it had come to be my “theme” song over the past months, but I couldn’t sing it... which hadn’t kept me from trying. I sat down and began to play it. For one reason or another, this time, I was able to contort my muscles in a certain manner, and I could sing! I sang and sang, and although it didn’t sound great, I was singing. I looked up above the piano and I was staring at a picture of the nativity scene. It was a rubbing of a famous piece of artwork that my family had made one trip to Italy. I broke down.

The memory of that night has not left me, and my voice continues to improve. They say healers don’t do the healing themselves, but that they show people how to find the faith and power to heal themselves. I don’t know why my voice left me in the first place, or what it really took for me to begin to heal, but John has helped me find the power to heal, both physically and mentally, and for that, I will forever give thanks. - Matt Bayuk, Austin, TX

 

Diane's Story

The summer of 2007 I was a cast member at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire. John Davis was the Director at that time. The week In between the first and second weekends of the faire I was not feeling well. I was having headaches and blurred vision. I was having dizzy spells and would black out for a brief period of time. I called the doctor and he said he would call in medication for migraines for me. Well as the week went on it kept getting worse. The Friday before the second weekend a large lump developed on the base of skull. It was about the size of a tennis ball and very hard. I knew right away that this is what is causing my problem. I was not near home as I live 135 miles away from the faire, so I called the doctor and he said to come and see him when I get back in town.

Since I was not feeling well, I was certain I could not walk in the parade that weekend, so I went to John before the morning meeting and told him I was not feeling well and was not going to walk in the parade. I was happy just leaving it at that and going on with the day. John said what is the problem. I began to cry because I was very worried about what this large lump was and told him my story. Without hesitation John grab my head put his hand on the large lump, and pushed my face into his chest. All I could do was stand there and take it. He's not a small a man and much stronger than I so I stood there with my face in his chest and just cried for a few minutes. After John was done holding my head, he looked into my eyes and said how do you feel now. I told him I wasn't sure, that was kind of strange. I had stopped crying and was not hurting badly. I just felt different. John said ok, you don't have to do parade, go sit down for a bit. After morning meeting he asked me again how I was feeling. I told him I couldn't believe it. I felt great and lump was going away. John said to me you knew I would do that didn't you. I said to John, no, if I was going to ask for your help with something it would be something major like my back since I have degenerative disc disease. He chuckled and said you don't need me for that it's better.

All of this took place before 9 am. By 11 am I was feeling so great I couldn't even express it. The lump was gone, it felt like a little bruise was there and that only lasted a day. My back is doing very good; it has stopped crumbling away and is getting stronger. This is only a sample of what John Davis has done for me. Physically, mentally, emotionally John has saved my life. I call him my "Wizard of Awes". He has taught me many life lessons and has done wonderful things for my entire family. John has also taught me how to not just help myself but to help others as well. - Diane Roberts, Mansfield, OH

 

Mary Jane's Story

Well, back in 1962 I was hit by a car that drove thru a four way stop. I was thrown through the windshield of the car and had many injuries from that accident that is when my kidney started aching.

In 1971 I was hit by a train, pronounced dead twice and was determined I was not dying because by oldest son was with me and I needed to make certain he was alright. We both survived. As you can imagine I had head injuries, many internal injuries, broken bones, and on and on and on from that wreck. One thing that stands out in my mind is my left arm. I can not, have not, been able to lift it for years and years. Even after many years of physical therapy I have difficulties.

 

Next, In 1981 I started choking when I would eat. I never knew why. The doctor stretched my throat 2 different times and it would only help for a short period of time. Shortly after I started choking, I started having problems with my eyelids. The would just close for no apparent reason and often times when I would blink they would not come back open without me physically taking my hand and opening it and most of the time, just holding my eyes open until I was home, if I was driving or done doing whatever it was I was doing. I.e. cooking, cleaning, sewing. I noticed some years later, that I have this twitching going on in my body. Not just a small twitch like you may get in your eye, but severe twitching and painful also. This twitching would go throughout my entire body. After 7 different doctors and lots of testing, I finally found someone who knew what my problem is.

 

In 1994, I was diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Myasthenia Gravis (MG). This disease causes weak muscles throughout the entire body. Walking across the room or up steps is a daily challenge. Daily life was becoming harder and harder to live. More and more difficult to do anything without being exhausted. I need to mention that during this time, in 1993 my youngest son died of cancer at age 33, my father died a few years later and now on top of that stress and my illness, I had to take care of my mother ,who was not well at all. Often times just to go up stairs to feed her or change her I would have stop halfway up and sit down on the steps to rest before I could finish going up. The doctors we very discouraging and said there is nothing they can do. They gave many medications just to keep my eye muscles working so I could keep my eyes open and told me just learn to live with it. You will become weaker and eventually end up in a wheel chair. I was taking five pills a day just to keep my
eyes open.

 

One day my daughter told me about this amazing man she met and he helped her and she was determined that I needed to meet him. I went to the festival one day and she introduced me to John Davis. John, my husband Bill, and I talked and John held my hand and it changed my life immediately. I was able to eat and walk and see and do things that I had not been able to do in years. Now I take one pill a month instead of 5 a day. My legs are stronger - I can walk now. I am back to sewing, and doing things that I have not done in a very long time. Words can not explain the feeling that came over that day. John held my hand and he began to shake and tears were coming out of this man that I had just met. I was certain that whatever was going on was hurting him and that I drained his energy. That made me feel bad, really bad, I am still not really over that experience. But John said it took nothing away from him, he was able to go on and perform the rest of the day and still continue with his duties as the entertainment director at the festival. I went back and met with him another day to work on feelings that I needed to deal with and again he was an amazing help to me and my husband. There is not a day that goes by that sometime during the day, one of us doesn't say  "Thank You, John".  - MaryJane Roberts, Mansfield, OH

 

Amber's Story

 

In March 2005, I received a phone call that no parent wants to get. My daughter had gone with my father to her cousin's birthday party to Hanover, PA. I had attended a memorial service for my godmother and was meeting them. They never made it. On my way up the road - I received a phone call from Hershey Medical Center, informing me that my daughter was in their trauma bay. There had been an accident. They wouldn't even tell me how badly she was injured - simply that she was still alive. After making several phone calls while driving up the road (Hershey is almost 2 hours from where I live), I was able to ascertain the nature of the accident and the extent of her injuries. It had been a 50 mph head-on collision, which resulted in the death of the driver of the other, and left my father horribly mangled and pinned in his burning car. According to witnesses, flames were 3-4 feet high and passersby and folks from the area formed a bucket brigade to knock back the blaze until the volunteer fire department could arrive. Another gentleman knocked a hole in the rear window of the car and pulled Amber free. The car had filled with smoke, fire was blowing back through the dashboardand because the locks and windows were electronic and her arm was badly broken - she couldn't get out of the car. She had managed to unfasten her seatbelt and had jumped to the floor of the car - simply because that is what she had been taught - smoke rises. She got burned. The fire was following the gas line back to the gas tank which rested under the rear seat of the car - Amber was effectively sitting on a time bomb.

 

The gentleman, who I call "her angel", carried her over and handed her to his wife, who wrapped her ina blanket, and held her until the paramedics arrived. They evaluated her and my father's girlfriend, who had also been pulled free of the car by several gentlemen, and called for choppers. Amber was airlifted to Hershey, my father's girlfriend to York Hospital. Dad remained pinned in the car until hydraulic equipment could be brought in to free him. Ultimately, he was taken to York Hospital as well for 4 orthopedic surgeries and then flown to Hopkins Bayview so they could treat his burns. He never came home from the hospital - 6 months later - he succumbed to infection resulting from further injuries gotten while in a nursing home for rehab.

 

When I arrived at Hershey's trauma bay, I was just overwhelmed by how tiny and helpless Amber looked lying on the gurney, all tangled up in wires and tubes. She had taken a bad blow to the right side of her head - having gotten thrown against the door in the initial impact. She got thrown the other way as well - bumping her jaw against a set of antique wooden doll beds that were going as a present to her cousin. That bruised the other side of her face as well, and left her with a loose tooth. Her right arm was broken, a 100% displaced fracture that had to hurt like hell, considering that she is right handed and I was told that she removed her seat belt with it. It was a growth plate injury, meaning simply that if the plate was badly damaged - her arm would stop growing and she would eventually have to go through the very painful process of bone-lengthening surgery. She was still in a c-collar, they had not cleared her neck yet, meaning she could still have spinal cord damage. They had cleared her abdomen, but would have the contusions from the seat-belt for 2 months. I had been told over the phone that her leg was broken, but when I arrived I discovered that it wasn't. However, it was badly lacerated from the broken window glass. When I talked to "her angel" on the phone about a month later - he apologized all over himself for her leg - but she was alive - I'd take her with stitches in her leg. It had happened trying to extricate her from the car. It turned out to be bad laceration - almost into her kneecap - the glass severed muscle and nerves - leaving her with a permanently numb knee and one that she would really have to work in order to regain range of motion.

 

All these injuries were honestly not as much of a concern as her head injury. They hurt, I knew, but would heal. The head injury could be permanent. She drifted in and out of consciousness in the hospital and couldn't remember things that had happened the day before the accident. I was told by the pediatric neurologist that after 6-8 weeks - what you see is what you get - with regards to what she would recover.I was told she had suffered Closed Head Trauma and that she had taken a bad blow to the head. My father and his girlfriend also had head injuries - but not as severe as Amber's - airbags deployed for them. For some reason she was thrown sideways into the door. There is no magic pill for recovery from a head injury - all you can do is learn to deal with the residual. I sat and cried, thinking of the struggle that she would have - I too have a permanent head injury, having suffered a massive stroke at the age of 5. I didn't want my child to have to face some of the same things that I had faced growing up.

 

Her pediatrician wanted to wait to see how she went with regards to the head injury and noted that additionally she was showing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and thus, that was added to the diagnosis. Expected really, given everything she experienced and saw as a result of the accident. She saw the body of the driver of the other car removed and placed in a body bag right in front of her, she saw my dad's unconscious girlfriend laid next to her in the field. She reached for Sandy but was held back by someone. She saw people climbing all over the Buick with buckets and fire extinguishers - she heard my dad screaming that his legs were on fire. Dad had hollered for her after the impact to see if she was okay and she had answered him but she said that he kept hollering for me and for Sandy. She knew that he was still in the car because she hadn't seen him lifted out and of course she knew the car was burning because she saw the smoke and flames. In fact the first question she asked me whenI arrived at the trauma bay was "Is Pop-pop dead?" She cussed out the chopper crew (andI mean REALLY cussed them out - oopsie) because they had to cut away her clothes to assess her injuries and of course they strapped her down to the backboard because she was thrashing around.

 

A counselor was recommended and she began with that, but her short term memory was not what it was. She was also doing a great deal of stumbling. By September of 2005, when my father died, she was really having a hard time and 4th grade was just not shaping up to be a good year. She was very close to her grandfather -his home was sold - we lived with him and we had tomove out very quickly- there were a lot of things that were upsetting to me - I can't imagine how she felt between that and trying to cope with the memory issues. I felt like she was giving up on things in general. Frustrated I went back to her pediatrician, who sent us to Kennedy Krieger Institute. He told me that all of the symptoms she was exhibiting were fairly typical of head injury. I knew that of course. She was tested and found to have deficits relating to her head trauma. That coupled with her ADHD - that she had been diagnosed with 2004 - we were just not in a good place. Her IQ? 124. Her executive functioning? Low.I would give her two and three step directions, like "put your clothes in the laundry and take a shower", she'd stand in the bathroom and forget why she was there. I was reminding her to actually EAT breakfast, instead of just fixing it. Bits and pieces of the accident were coming back to her - but usually as nightmares. She'd run down the hall and launch herself into my bed at 2 am and just cry and cry and cry. Her responses to things became very illogical and she knew it and that angered her more because she didn't understand why this had happened. Her memory began to frustrate her as well - and she would get very angry when she couldn't remember something and began giving up on a lot of things, including schoolwork. She lived in tears. The final straw came in September 2006.

 

Amber had returned to Irish Step dancing 5 weeks after the accident and finished out the semester- her arm still in a cast - simply for therapy - so that she could move the injured knee. Her doctor wasn't too wild about the impact with the floor and what further damage this might do to her knee. This was something that she had LOVED to do - she began dancing at the age of 4 - taking Highland dance and by age 7, I had switched her to Irish. She was put in hard shoes within 6 months of starting lessons. She had simply loved to dance. She went back in 2005, but her heart wasn't in it. She stopped dancing at the Faire - something that she would ALWAYS do - especially the Rogue's final pub show at the end of the night. I tried to encourage - but it became more like fussing. By 2006 I had given up. She went back to class and walked out - declaring "I don't want to do this anymore mummy. I want to quit." I asked why. "I can't remember any of the steps to the dances I used to do." And she began to cry. I kept trying to encourage - but got frustrated myself - and finally gave up. It broke my heart to see her just sitting at the final pub show, instead of dancing with everybody else.

 

In mid October 2006, Sharon (Prince) Wothke arrived at MDRF for her birthday. I've known Sharon for 10 years and she used to travel with her husband's band so I would see her every weekend for 9 weekends. Lately she had not been at MDRF, but working instead - and would pop in to see people around her birthday. Perfect timing. She is talented Highland dancer an dI had no idea that she had other talents as well. I saw her and said hi, and she asked after Amber. She and other members of the band have known my child since she was 6 months old. I told her about the accident and about Amber's injuries and how frustrated we both were because there really didn't seem to be anything anybody could do expect simply deal with the residual symptoms. Kennedy Krieger had given me a plan for dealing with her issues - but she was still sullen and wasn't smiling. She was irritable and frustrated because of the memory problems- very difficult to deal with, and we weren't off to such a good start with 5th grade either. Remembering homework wasa MAJOR issue, even though she would write it down and the teacher and myself would double check her.

 

Faire was pretty much the something that she was looking forward to this year - and she told me that it was the only place where she had fun. I had noticed that she had attached herself yet again to the Hack and Slash show - and for the life of me at the time, I had no clue why. She was in the audience in 2005 and I would hear bits of the "beer song" and stories of how she got wet from having "beer spit in her direction by Hack." She thought this was all tremendous fun, so in 2006 when she returned to the Jury Rig stage, I really didn't bat an eye - just as long as I knew where she was. This was the time that she would crack a bit of a smile and I figured if it made her happy - fine. Besides, you guys have been around FOREVER. It's not like I didn't know who you were. In either case, in talking to Sharon, she took my hand and said with a smile "I know someone who might be able to help you." I was expecting a doctor's name, or a therapist, or a clinic or something. She asked if I was open to anything. At this point - yes I was - I just wanted my child back. She smiled again and said "A very good friend of mine is a healer. His name is John Davis." I was just stunned. "Hack?" She confirmed that it was and told me that I should talk to you. I agreed. Amber already had some sort of connection there - this would make her day.I  told Sharon that Amber adored you - all I had heard for over a year was "Hack this.... and Hack that...." The whole pull there was a bit odd to me because she had sought you out on her own and kind of stuck. I still couldn't figure why. Of course now I know.

 

I remember pulling you aside and explaining part of my dilemma and you told me to tell her to come and find you the following weekend. She still had no idea at this point and I decided to have a discussion with her in the car on our way home from Faire. "What if mummy told you that there is somebody that might be able to help you with your memory issues?" "You mean I'd get my memory back and be able to remember things better?" "Maybe." I knew there were no guarantees here. "Would you be willing to talk to this person?" "I guess." "What if I told you that it was Hack?" Her eyes positively popped. "Oh thank you mum!!!!" "Don't thank me - thank Ms. Sharon when you see her again.I told her about the accident and she told me about him. Neat huh?" "Yeah. Wow." She beamed and of course ran off to find you the following weekend. The rest as they say - is history. She doesn't talk about the healing experience itself too much - I think that is something she prefers to keep to herself. She told me a bit and you told me a bit - but I figure the rest is between the two of you.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it all makes impossible, improbable, beautiful sense.You have helped her tremendously, not only with the memory issues, just with dealing with bumps in the road in general. She has decided that she wants to play the piano and is beginning to read music - something that requires a great deal of memory. I had difficulty with her Irish step dance classes in September and early October - she didn't want to go because she said that she couldn't remember the steps. Now she can't stand still and dances around the house. She is cooking and doing needlework, and remembering her homework - and SMILING!!!!!!! She has decided to re-join the children's choir at my parent's church and sings with about 30 other children once a month for services - and for special services. She has to memorize the music. You have truly been a miracle in her life and in mine really because I have my child back. We still have typical 10 year old issues - but they're just that - typical 10 year old issues (like the messy bedroom, and underwear behind my couch and under the bed, peanut butter on the bathroom floor, etc.) 

God bless. -  Suzanne Devier, Alexandria, VA

Healed From A Fall

It was my first day in the new stilt-pants. They were a bit too long, so I had to keep hitching them up. The troupe stopped by a tree for some patrons to take pictures, and then we moved on. As I stepped away from the tree, I realized I had a problem. The second step convinced me that I wasn't going to recover from the problem. I didn't take a third step, because I was on my way down. The bottom of my left stilt had gotten caught in the hem of my right stilt-pant leg, and twisted around so badly that I landed wrong on the hill beside the chapel. I landed on my left elbow, and somehow managed to scuff my nose and my chin as well.

As is my habit when I fall in front of audience members, I sat up with what I hoped was an indignant expression, and brushed dirt and mulch from my costume, wondering exactly how bad the elbow was going to be. I looked around for large men to put my arms around so they could walk me back up. A medium large guy is near, and he comes. A little further off is a tall man, and I wave appealingly to him. He comes over wearing a wry grin, and I realize that I have waved down the man who signs my paychecks. How embarrassing. Well, the man I know and the man I don't know pop me back to my stilt-feet, and I wave to everyone and walk away cheerfully, brushing debris from my backside.

A little way off, I stop and face my partner with an enquiring expression, gesturing to my face. She frowns and points to two spots on my face, and mouths the word 'blood'. We head to Bruce's booth, and I lean down with an urgent plea on my face, holding on to a gazebo post as he dabs white on me in an attempt at a hasty repair. "It's not great," he apologizes, showing me the mirror. But it's better than the bloody naked spots I saw when I looked at his mirror before.

When we finish our walkabout and get down, we're finished for the day. I realized that I had been babying the elbow until I try to remove my jacket. And it's bad. I know it's bad, because I had broken the right elbow last year, so I know what that feels like. I also know there's nothing to be done for it, because if it is immobilized completely, I will lose full range of motion permanently.

I drive home right-handed, for once thankful of my automatic transmission, my left hand resting quietly in my lap. Once home, I fashion a sling from a bright scarf that is not only more attractive than hospital issue, but fits better and is more comfortable. I wear this on and off while I vacation with my family for four days at the beach, letting the three of them do the carrying and lifting. I supervise and organize.

I arrive at Faire the next Saturday wearing the scarf sling, and carefully insert my arm into the jacket sleeve, wondering how long this injury will plague me, and how much it will affect my performance. I manage fairly well on all fronts, but am glad of the scarf again by afternoon.

Sunday morning, the scarf is again in place, and as I wander towards sign-in, I see John, who asks what happened. I explain, and he hugs me sympathetically, holding the injured elbow. I relax and breathe against him, and my elbow begins to get hot. After a long hug, which nourishes me on many levels, John releases me. "Better?" he asks. "Yes," I respond, because of course I am better: warmer, safer, happier. Oh, and... my elbow feels... it feels... hmmm. I push the scarf aside and move my arm. It's better. No, it's a lot better. In fact, it may be ALL better. John chuckles. "'’kay?" he grins. "Mmmhmm," I respond, with a frown of puzzlement, still testing the elbow.

It doesn't hurt to put on my jacket. In fact, other than a slight soreness, my elbow functions normally. At day's end, I reach for the scarf and put my arm in, thinking to support it after several hours of use. The scarf doesn't make me feel any better. I take it off. I guess my elbow is healed. Whoa. So that's the story.- Anonymous by request, MD