I’d like to introduce you to ‘Breathe Easy’

Reuben and I met over an Instagram image. Tagging images with #cf (cystic fibrosis) means that others on the lookout for people in that field will find you… and so Reuben and I found each other.

breatheeasy

Earlier this year, just as the dust was settling from an horrendous 18hr drug free labour (which ended with an emergency cesarean) I was finally getting my life back into gear post-cesarean, and coming out of the haze of new mum-hood, I got a phone call that would change our family’s life. My son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). I can’t remember much from that day. This was not how I’d envisaged this working out for us. I blogged my story of those few weeks/months here, on Potty Mouth Mama’s site.

But enter Reuben. And his Breathe Easy With Us website. Truly a breath of fresh air!

It’s been refreshing for me to see a healthy guy, sharing very passionately about CF – but what got me watching was his interest in alternative therapies. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s a lonely journey at times – for me, sometimes treating Geordie differently from the norm means thinking outside the square and sometimes taking risks. I’ve learnt in my time as a professional, pushing boundaries can be the difference between an amazing result and a mediocre one. Nothing is ever a one-size-fits-all, and it took me a few months to really start to trust the treatments we were using with Geordie. Reuben’s openness to support therapies means that he as a guy with CF, can trying things out and actually know what works for himself. He also uses this to share with others – all the other things he can do to support his health. For me (and I’m sure Reuben) focusing on wellness and prevention is key.

I’m so glad Reuben is heading up Breathe Easy With Us. Reaching out and educating to others that know little about support treatments is going to make so many peoples lives better. What an amazing gift! This is why I wanted to share this with you – the more awareness we can create, the more we can join together to support one another. Life throws us circumstances we are very often left scratching our head about – but in the same moment, it proves us with meeting some wonderful people that make our lives better. Reuben is one of those. I feel a real connection with who he is and what he advocates for, and I’ve asked him to share a little about his site here today.

Reuben: Breathe Easy With Us is an organization of people who have come together for a big purpose. Unlike many other wonderful organizations out there that are primarily focused on funding for the research toward a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, the goals of Breathe Easy With Us are very personal. Our main desire is to directly connect and communicate with the CF community and all those who are impacted by it, including CFers and their families. As we are on the very pulse in the CF community, we know and understand the great need for supplements and healing that CFers may not have access to, financially or otherwise. That’s where we come in!

With many thanks to our supporters we are blessed to be able to provide care packages that are assembled by loving hands with the specific patient in mind. We get to know each CFer as a friend which allows us to put items in the package that are specific to them along with supplements and gems of knowledge we have. We want to put smiles on their faces and to help them and their families, breathe a little easier. We don’t stop there though. We also aim to educate the medical community about alternative therapies that are not necessarily available in hospitals or from doctors. We want Cystic Fibrosis patients to have every possible weapon in their arsenal to better their health. We are putting medicine and supplements in the hands, knowledge and education in the minds, and encouragement and hope in the hearts of the CF community World Wide. We want to help all CFers take their health into their own hands and improve their quality of life beyond statistics and textbooks.

We are also able to be found on Instagram @breatheeasywithus, Twitter @BreatheEZWithUs, Facebook, and on YouTube!

So where are we now with our little family, you might wonder? Geordie is going gangbusters. He continues to fill us with confidence with his good healthy and happy nature. We do work with Geordie’s health far outside the square and do things that I’m certain have many ‘experts’ scratching their heads. We invest a lot of time into his diet, incorporating nutrient rich food as well as probiotics and fermented foods. He has regular spinal care, acupuncture and supplements that I have no doubt have got him to this point. With my background in complimentary medicine, I feel more confident each day that goes by in the treatments we choose for him. I also now see why I spent a decade studying and learning Chinese Medicine. I know it was to make peoples lives better, but so close to my heart is making Geordie’s life as good as it can be. Of course my prayer is that he continues to go from strengthen to strength. All kids have challenges, and whilst it can be difficult to separate regular child obstacles from those that are cystic fibrosis speed humps, I feel confident that we can make his journey really positive and ultimately a strong and healthy one. I feel so blessed to have him in my life – he’s teaching me all the right lessons!

4 Comments

  • August 30, 2012 By Jo 12:45 pm

    an amazing open and honest blog Dr Nat.

    You and Geordie are amazing xx

  • August 30, 2012 By Cass 8:41 pm

    WOW! Thanks so much for sharing! What a great website and GO YOU! You are doing an amazing job Strengthening your little guy! I wish him all the love, health and strength in the world! xoxo

  • September 4, 2012 By Reuben 9:07 am

    Thank you so much Nat for this bump. As I continue to delve into your site and read through many of your articles it continues to inspire me to move forward. I also know that in the coming years, my wife and I will be leaning on you as we look to have children, I look forward to working(and writing) with you as we tackle many of the additional challenges that CF poses in relation to fertility. God bless you, and your family as you continue moving forward with wonderful things.

  • May 15, 2018 By Shari 1:50 pm

    Nat, I stumbled across this article from quite some time ago, as I am attending your session in Echuca Moama in June, and I have Cystic Fibrosis! I have followed you on social media for ages, and recalled that your son had CF. I am really looking forward to seeing you on the 24th, I would love some insights into CF and chinese medicine and alternate therapies. I am 29 this year, and have had 2 admissions for my CF over the course of my life, and like to do all I can to keep myself well. I would love to hear your insights and I hope Geordie is doing well! Shari 🙂

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