Introducing Elizabeth and AAAWellnessCBD.com

For those who don't know me, I was born with some physical differences and an impaired immune system. As a result, I have spent too much of my life in hospitals. After living on antibiotics for 30 plus years, my immune system fell apart...leaving me with the trifecta of immune system disorders: Immunodeficiency, which prevents me from fighting off infections, too many Autoimmune Disorders to list here, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, which causes anaphylactic like reactions to anything, ranging from antibiotics, pain relievers, Chipotle, and even my own tears!! It seems like every year I develop a new "itis" with its own set of symptoms. In addition to my immune system disorders, I struggle with seizures, neuropathy, colitis, cellulitis and all sorts of other “itises.”

Despite my medical challenges, I have lived an amazing life. I went to college at The University of Michigan, where I earned degrees in Economics and Spanish and fell madly in love with my husband, who was in law school there. Together we were blessed through adoption with four incredible children!! I was a chief operating office for 15 years in the Fashion Industry. Later, I was a was a preschool teacher and a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in foster care. Subsequently, I earned my certification as a Parent Coach. I believe that coaching, in its many forms, is truly my calling! My husband and I also enjoyed working together as Parent Coordinators for children whose parents were in the process of highly contested divorce situations.

In the last few years, I was forced to give up almost everything I had loved to do. By last year my life had shrunk to my bedroom or hospital room. To live with my immune system disorders, I need to spend 5-7 hours a day self-infusing with immunoglobulin, which cannot cure me, but can help me to fight off infection. I am beyond grateful for the gift of this life-sustaining medication, but after almost 15 years the infusion had become so painful that I just sat and cried while I took it, and then was too wired to sleep when it was finished. All the while, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I hated myself for failing my husband, our children, our families and our friends.

I first started to hear about the benefits of CBD several years ago from my sister-in-law who swore by its anti-anxiety benefits. My sister-in-law has been a source of inspiration and information on alternative approaches to wellness for many years. Shortly thereafter, my father’s neurosurgeon mentioned that some patients did very well on CBD because of its anti-inflammatory properties and the possibility of reducing the growth of tumors. Sadly, I can’t say that CBD saved my father from glioblastoma, but to me it improved his quality of life.

Around this time a dear friend showed me an internet presentation made by her son's highly regarded pediatric neurologist regarding his research on CBD and the reduction in frequency and severity of seizure activity in children. Upon hearing this, I began to wonder if CBD could possibly benefit me. Finally this Spring, coincidentally on the same day, my immunologist said that the time had come to pursue alternative approaches to managing my health including CBD, and our veterinarian suggested putting our dog on CBD for his severe anxiety and back pain!! I felt like the universe was screaming at me to stop complaining and to go TRY SOME CBD NOW!!!

My husband, as usual, was skeptical but willing to do some research. He was just looking for something that would knock me out while I self-infused so that he could finally get some sleep! He has always taken his due diligence regarding my healthcare seriously. In May of this year, after much research, he selected a brand and strain of CBD for me that was said to help with pain and insomnia. At first the effects were subtle...I certainly wasn't high but I could finally relax at night. I could sit still to do my infusion without crying. I was unexpectedly able to sleep through the night and had more energy during the day. Suddenly, I found myself more productive and engaged in life. My amazing medical team was both surprised and impressed! Under their guidance I was able to cut back on my anti-seizure, heavy-duty pain, and anti-anxiety medications. I quickly felt my brain return to normal, which I attribute to the reduction in my need to use so much medication as well as CBD’s ability to heal the brain.

The two photos above are exactly six months and 40 lbs apart. Although CBD may have a beneficial effect on appetite and weight loss, it may conversely cause weight gain. I think my weight loss was the result of the profound improvement of my quality of life, thanks in no small part to my use of CBD. CBD’s anti-inflammatory and pain management properties helped me to become much more physically active. CBD’s impact on my mood and sleep cycle, helped me to return to the exuberant, grateful, passionate woman that I had always been until overwhelmed by chronic illness.

Obviously, CBD isn't a cure all and I don't expect everyone's experience to be identical to mine. But now that I have seen first hand the transformative power of CBD, I am passionate about sharing my experience, wisdom and products with you.

Thanks to CBD, I am loving my life!! I have finally taken back control of my body, centered my mind and lifted my spirits. What more could anyone ask for?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!! Please let me know if you have any questions. In my next post I'll tell you all about CBD infused beauty products.

Always be well,

Elizabeth